A flare up is an increase of symptoms compared to your 'normal'. With fibromyalgia your normal includes pain 24/7 so it can be harder to know when you are flaring. They can last for any amount of time from a day to years and vary in severity. A flare up can be caused by any… Continue reading How a Flare Up Really Feels
When Family Health Concerns Take Priority Over Your Own Health Issues
I have been fairly quiet on my blog recently. Unfortunately my dad was diagnosed with cancer just over a month ago. Luckily it has been caught early but he will need an operation to remove it. Firstly I would like to just say the NHS is incredible and although they have sometimes let me down… Continue reading When Family Health Concerns Take Priority Over Your Own Health Issues
Disneyland Paris with a Disability
I just came back from my first Disneyland Paris trip since officially being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I have been 5 times in the last 5 years as it is my happy place away from reality! When I went last year I was in the process of being diagnosed. I paid for a letter from my… Continue reading Disneyland Paris with a Disability
Surviving Christmas with Chronic Illness
Christmas is a busy, crazy time of year even to a healthy person. When you add chronic illness to the mix christmas can seem daunting at best. The key to surviving Christmas is working with your chronic illness not against it. Below I give some of my tips for getting through Christmas. Start Christmas shopping… Continue reading Surviving Christmas with Chronic Illness
I’m Fine
I'm fine Is the easiest thing to say It can be a sign That you're having a bad day ... I'm fine Most won't look beyond the smile I don't want to explain Sometimes it's just plain denial I'm fine I don't want to admit That I am not okay That I hurt and I… Continue reading I’m Fine
I Long to Feel My Age Just Once
I long to feel my age just once To be able to do what my friends do To go out and have fun all day and night Without running out of energy I long to feel my age Not to be forced to cancel all my plans To be able to do what I want… Continue reading I Long to Feel My Age Just Once
How Chronic Pain Can Affect Mental Health
Chronic pain is not only hard on the body but also on the mind It can make you feel worthless as you can no longer achieve all you could before It can make you feel lonely from having to spend so much time at home and nobody seems to understand your pain It can make… Continue reading How Chronic Pain Can Affect Mental Health
A Good Day Does Not Mean I’m Pain Free
I wake up and I'm still in pain My body is stiff and aching I get up feeling the pain ease a little I don't feel too bad today ... I manage to shower and wash my hair I may even be able to dry it today It's a very rare day indeed Today is… Continue reading A Good Day Does Not Mean I’m Pain Free
I Dare You To Look Beyond the Smile
When people ask how I am I usually smile and say "I'm fine" Oh the lies I tell to hide my pain I don't understand why I do it I just can't help it ... Am I hiding from judgment? Those who believe my illness is fake? Am I just trying to be brave? Lying… Continue reading I Dare You To Look Beyond the Smile
My First Two Weeks Taking CBD Oil
My fibromyalgia had been getting to me a lot recently. The endless pain and fatigue was getting me down. I had no social life even with my family as I would just stare blankly at the TV all evening, having used all my brain power during the day at work. I had had CBD Oil… Continue reading My First Two Weeks Taking CBD Oil