Category: Medical

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The Best Foods That Help Manage Eczema

The Best Foods That Help Manage Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that primarily affects infants and children. It is a type of dermatitis which could be chronic or sometimes relapsing. Eczema is skin inflammation that can cause itchiness, redness, swelling, and pain, and can range from mild to severe. Although the exact cause is unknown, overactive immune systems are known to be responsible for eczema. However, it can also be genetic. Asthma and hay fever can also cause eczema. Other skin disorders or disease, infections, or loss of moisture are also known to trigger eczema. 

The skin of children is more sensitive than adults, and children are more likely to be exposed to irritants as they drool, touch, and play with stuff that could have irritants on them. This makes children more prone to being affected by eczema.

The types of ezcema:

Contact dermatitis is caused when the skin comes into contact with the substances that harm the skin or set off allergies. The common triggers of this skin reaction are soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, and jewelry. Contact dermatitis can lead to infection if the area is repeatedly scratched and the area starts to ooze. This becomes a good place for bacteria and fungi to grow.

Dyshidrotic eczema causes blisters to form on your feet or hands. These blisters are itchy and can be filled with fluid. High-stress levels, allergies, excessive sweating, and staying for too long in water are the common causes of dyshidrotic eczema.

Exposure to allergens such as pollen can impact eczema

Nummular eczema manifests as circular spots or patches that form on the skin as a result of an injury, burn, or insect bites. These spots are often itchy and can be well defined. Nummular eczema is more common in adult men in their later ages, however, women in their middle ages also are at risk of developing it.

Seborrheic dermatitis generally occurs on the scalp, face, and chest. The common symptoms of this condition are scaly skin, red patches, and sometimes it could also appear in the form of dandruff on the scalp. Mild shampoos are generally recommended for treating this condition on the scalp. 

Stasis dermatitis generally occurs when the blood circulation in veins is disrupted, and the blood leaks out of the vessels and into the skin. The most commonly affected areas are the legs. Swelling, dryness, and scaly texture are the common symptoms of stasis dermatitis. The condition is more common in women and adults who are in their fifties. 

Foods that help manage eczema:

There are various natural remedies for eczema. Foods such as bananas, berries, salmon fish, sauerkraut juice, turmeric, lemonade, whole grains, probiotics, etc., can play a significant role in treating eczema naturally.

Foods that help manage eczema:

Beetroot is one of the highly recommended foods for managing eczema, it is said to boost liver detoxification and remove harmful chemicals that could trigger eczema. They are also one of the excellent purifiers of blood which promotes healthy skin. Vitamin C in beetroot can help in clearing skin blemishes caused by eczema. 

Celery is filled with electrolytes and essential vitamins such as vitamin K and vitamin C, which are highly essential for promoting skin health. It is also a rich antioxidant that detoxifies the liver, which in turn can help improve the condition of eczema. Celery juice can also help in treating acne and psoriasis. 

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help fight inflammation related to eczema and other health conditions. It is also loaded with essential nutrients such as vitamin B and selenium, which protects and improves the overall condition of the skin. The other vital components of salmon fish also strengthen the immune system, which boosts the body’s natural ability to fight eczema from the inside. 

Salmon helps fight inflammation and may help treat eczema

Turmeric is one of the oldest remedies used in treating eczema and other skin disorders. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of turmeric reduce inflammation and help protect the skin from eczema. The natural antiseptic properties also inhibit any infections from eczema. Turmeric can help decrease blemishes, redness, and sooth the skin.

Probiotics. Foods containing probiotics or probiotic supplements contain good bacteria that are said to ease the symptoms of eczema. Probiotics also enrich the immune system, which could have been disrupted when the person is affected by eczema. Probiotics are also known to reduce inflammation, which is one of the symptoms of eczema. Yogurt is one of the best sources of probiotics.

Bananas are rich in vitamin A, which plays a vital role in moisturizing the skin and preventing dryness. Bananas are also loaded with essential fat that is used in many lotions that are used in treating eczema. Potassium in bananas also helps in soothing the effects of eczema.  

Food can be used as a natural remedy in many other ways too, such as to treat conditions such as chronic diarrhea.

Foods to avoid:

Foods to avoid while experiencing eczema:

While some foods can help manage the symptoms of eczema, others can trigger eczema and make it worse.

Listed below are some of the foods to avoid:

  • Broccoli
  • Dried fruits
  • Citrus fruits
  • Gluten or wheat
  • Spices
  • Tomatoes

While a healthy diet and lifestyle are vital in managing eczema, getting a proper diagnosis and treatment from a doctor is highly recommended. Especially when it comes to children, parents should not rely only on natural remedies to treat eczema. It could make the conditions worse. Natural remedies should only be used under a doctor’s supervision.

About the author:

Emylee is a wellness lifestyle writer. She loves sharing her thoughts and personal experiences related to natural remedies, yoga, and fitness through her writing. She currently writes for How To Cure. She can connect with others experiencing health concerns and help them through their recovery journeys through natural remedies.

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Hyperhidrosis and The Realities of Living with Excessive Sweating

Living with hyperhidrosis can be challenging. The contents of this article may seem like too much personal information about bodily functions for some people, however, I feel that hyperhidrosis is something that is not talked about a lot in the chronic illness community. We need to delve into the TMI (too much information) realm to discuss it.

I used to think that I was a gross freak of nature for sweating so much, but after connecting with other people who experience a similar thing I realized that it is more common than I thought.

hyperhidrosis

What is hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is abnormally excessive sweating that is not always related to heat or exercise. Someone with hyperhidrosis may sweat so much that it soaks their clothes and drips down their face and hands. People normally sweat when they exercise, are hot, are anxious or under stress. The sweat that accompanies hyperhidrosis far exceeds this normal level of sweating. Hyperhidrosis can also be made worse by factors such as heat, exercise, sweat, stress or anxiety.

Primary Focal (Essential) Hyperhidrosis

The most common form of hyperhidrosis is primary focal (essential) hyperhidrosis. This occurs when the nerves responsible for signalling your sweat glands malfunction and become overactive. This type of hyperhidrosis usually affects the palms of your hands, the soles of your feet, and in some cases your face. There is no determined cause for this type of hyperhidrosis, however, it may be hereditary as it runs in families.

Secondary Hyperhidrosis

Secondary hyperhidrosis occurs when it is a symptom of another medical issue. It is more likely to cause widespread excessive sweating than primary hyperhidrosis. Conditions that may result in excessive sweating can include:

  • Thyroid issues
  • Diabetes
  • Infections
  • Some types of cancer
  • Heart issues
  • Nervous system disorders

Some medications can also cause excessive sweating.

Experiencing Fibromyalgia with Hyperhidrosis

My secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by my severe fibromyalgia, which is a central nervous system disorder. While some of the medications can cause secondary hyperhidrosis, my experiences with excessive sweating began in childhood, long before I started taking these specific medications, but after I started suffering from chronic pain.

Of course, weight can impact how much you sweat, and I am overweight. However, as said above, I have been experiencing this excessive sweating since before I was even a teenager, and I weighed nothing close then to what I weigh now.

How Hyperhidrosis Impacts Social Situations

Work: If your job is in any way stressful and you deal with hyperhidrosis, you may find you sweat a lot at work. If you work around others, such as in a customer relations role or in the office, the excess sweating may make you anxious about how others may perceive you. This anxiety may impact your productivity if it becomes severe. Hyperhidrosis may also impact your opportunity of gaining new employment if it becomes problematic during job interviews. Since sweating is usually a sign of anxiety, even the calmest person with hyperhidrosis may look extremely anxious to the interviewer. This could have a severe impact as to whether you are chosen for the job. Shaking hands can also be a source of anxiety particularly if you have primary focal hyperhidrosis which causes sweaty palms.

Night clubs: As a young adult, every once in awhile I like to go to a night club and dance with my friends. Even though I find this extremely draining, I like to experience just a few hours of normality. Many nightclubs are crowded and warm. Hello Extreme Flare! It can be difficult to enjoy myself knowing that I have sweat visibly dripping down my face. This can also impact my chances of meeting new people and starting new relationships. , The excessive sweating may cause people to judge me before they get to know me. This is definitely a disadvantage for the single girl like me.

Any social occasion: Hyperhidrosis can impact any situation. Going to a café, a theme park, the beach, the movies and attending school are all different for a person that has to consider excessive sweat. Hyperhidrosis and extra sweating can become a source of anxiety at any time, but when it’s flaring especially when it’s flaring.

Tips and Tricks for Coping With Hyperhidrosis and Excessive Sweating

Now that I’ve listed the ways hyperhidrosis may negatively impact social situations, I will now tell you my tips and tricks for coping with hyperhidrosis and living with excessive sweating that I have developed throughout my own experience.

Waterproof Makeup

The facial sweating that is the result if hyperhidrosis can ruin any makeup you may be wearing. I personally love wearing makeup every once in a while for nights out or on a day I feel like dressing up. Unfortunately, if I’m not careful with what products I use my makeup can end up dripping down my face. Utilizing a good primer and a waterproof foundation and concealer are a good start. Make sure your mascara and eyeliner is waterproof if you enjoy using those products. You can even find inexpensive brands at your local retailer and online. Many brands meet these suggestions.

Dressing in Light Layers

Very many people live in a place where the weather can go from cold to hot within a few hours. Dressing in light layers is the way to go. If you also suffer from temperature control issues spring layering is good strategy for you, too. Utilize cardigans because not only are they light but they also don’t take up too much room in a bag while out and about. If it is chilly in the morning wear a t-shirt and a cardigan over top. It is easy to take take it off later on in the day.

Portable Fans

hyperhidrosis

This may seem a bit extreme, but if you’re prone to over-heating on a regular basis like I am, a portable fan can be invaluable. I got one for $8 from The Warehouse, and I love it. It’s rechargeable by USB and has multiple levels of intensity. This would be perfect for days at university during summer, long days of traveling, or days when you’re spending a lot of time outside in the heat.

Apply Multiple Layers of Antiperspirant

With secondary hyperhidrosis the sweat under your arms can become excessive and can be very hard to manage. Recently I have started using multiple layers of antiperspirant using two different types and I find this helps well for summer. I use a cream antiperspirant under my arms first and then a spray antiperspirant on top. While this does not completely stop underarm hyperhidrosis it does make it more manageable. There are some more aggressive options you may discuss with your health provider in some places.

Body Wipes and Shower-less Body Wash

If you have hyperhidrosis and live with excessive sweating in addition to chronic illness then managing your hygiene can be very difficult. Bathing, for example, can be very difficult for those who experience symptoms such as chronic pain and fatigue. Some days many Chargie’s do not have the energy to shower. Other days I may end up perspiring a lot requiring multiple showers. In these cases it is convenient to use deodorant body wipes or shower-less body wash. Deodorant wipes are targeted especially at lessening odor. Shower-less body wash can be used without washing it off and do the same thing. 

Many people like to use baby wipes in the place of deodorant body wipes. I find that baby wipes don’t work very well in comparison. Products specifically targeted at killing sweat caused germs and odor do a much better job, and I find that body wipes are more moist with product, therefore you end up using less wipes.

When you experience hyperhidrosis and living with excessive sweating it can feel very isolating. However, there are things you can do that make coping with it a bit easier. It was also helpful for me to learn that isn’t something that I go through alone. Surrounding yourself will people who understand your condition can also make a huge difference. Having a non-judgmental environment can become your social safe space. I know that when I start sweating excessively my close friends won’t judge me for it. Therefore I never become anxious about it around them.

Amy Clements is a 20-year-old who has lived with chronic pain, the result of Fibromyalgia, since childhood. In her teens she was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in her wrist, which was the result of a netball injury. Amy lives in New Zealand and studies Business part-time at University. She enjoys reading novels and writing. She especially enjoys writing about her experience with chronic illness.

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Why It Is Beneficial To Practice Yoga Whilst Traveling

Why It Is Beneficial To Practice Yoga Whilst Traveling

Yoga can act as a multi-purpose remedy for people of all age groups. It has therapeutic properties within each yogic movement that are good for the mind, body, and soul. 

During your moments of wanderlust and planning your travel, when you have decided your favorite destination to go to, you don’t want any moments of severe symptoms or anxiety to impact your holiday once you’re on your way. It’s good to think positively about your future journey, but it’s wise to also take the necessary precautions. If you have impaired mobility, neurological dysfunction, fatigue, pain, etc., you may end up experiencing anxiety, less social interaction or even depression. In an effort to minimize such experiences, you can calm your symptoms or yourself with Yoga. 

Meditation, Pranayama, or Yoga are exercises that can be performed anywhere. Therefore, while traveling, yoga can help relieve the symptoms of chronic illnesses. It works as a stress-buster as you increase qualities such as compassion, focus, improved memory, and better concentration. It may seem like too much of a challenge to maintain a yoga routine while traveling. What if you have to face uninvited challenges? However, it’s worth it. Yoga works as a booster to elevate your moods. Researchers have found and proven that Meditators are more self-aware and come through the stress-related problems to live a quality life. 

The Benefits Of Practicing Yoga Whilst Travelling

The Benefits Of Practicing Yoga Whilst Travelling

Yoga is extremely beneficial, especially while traveling. Why? Because it promotes better health, allowing you to make the most of your holiday. Yoga, Meditation, Pranayama, and similar yogic practices can also help with clearing brain fog, which many people with chronic illness experience. Meditation also helps in clearing out the clutter that is causing emotional instability. It gives a clear perspective and a focused mindset while the Pranayama also helps in flushing out the toxins to reward you with a refreshed state of mind.

While traveling it is important to maintain healthy habits and to be aware of your surroundings. Create a safe space for yourself! It is important to look after yourself when you are trying to balance work and family life. People often ignore the more subtle elements of their health because they are too focused on dealing with the lives of other people. Yoga makes sure that you take care of your mental and physical health, because only then can you take care of others. 

How to establish your own yoga routine so you can take it with you anywhere

Establish your own yoga routine so you can take it with you anywhere

To start your yoga journey as someone who experiences chronic illness, consider private instructors initially; join gentle and restorative classes; practice Yoga from online sources or digital media. A little bit of stretching and deep breathing can be a benefit to almost anyone. So, travelers must consider this wonderful hack to give priority to their health while still making the most of their adventures. Let Yoga be your travel partner, a guide that can help protect you from all the bad forces of life with the natural power it inherits.

Look at the positive side of the world and appreciate every with grace. Staying positive is a weapon that not many people can fully embrace, but many people chase this state of mind as an infinite goal. So, if practicing yoga interests you, grasp motivation and start your journey. After all, being alive is a gift in itself to cherish! 

Bipin Baloni is a passionate Yogi, Yoga Teacher and a Traveller in India. He organizes 200 hours of yoga teacher training in various cities in India and Nepal. He also conducts AyurvedaCourses in Kerala He loves writing and reading books related to yoga, health, nature, Himalayas and Trekking in Nepal .

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How Being Chronically Ill Has Made Me The Target Of Dangerous “Miracle Cure” Products (And How To Avoid Them).

Disclaimer: When starting a new health supplement or diet you need to consult with your doctor first to ensure that any changes will benefit your health instead of making it worse.

As someone who is both chronically ill and overweight, I am a perfect target for the “miracle cure” products that circle the internet. If you’re unsure as to what I’m referring to, certain products on the internet claim to be the “miracle cure” that can cure “any and all” illness or disability. Of course, this isn’t true.

If It Sounds Too Good

I’ve learned over the years that if a treatment sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

Not only do these products target and take advantage of chronically ill and/or disabled people, but they can also be extremely dangerous. It’s not just because of the possibly unregulated ingredients though. Some of these “treatments” even recommend stopping all other medications while using the product, which is ridiculous!

I’m not going to mention specific product names or brands in this article, as I don’t want to cause any legal issues. However, there are plenty of online resources that can be consulted regarding these types of products. I find that the five most commonly targeted conditions by these scams that I’ve seen are Cancer, Obesity, Fibromyalgia, ADHD, and Autism. However, there is no condition that the scam supplements will not claim to cure. The rise of internet usage in our society has made it super easy for the creators of these scam products to widely sell their product, but I’m hoping we can use the internet to raise awareness about this issue and turn things around. 

My Experience

Like many others, I have seen these products advertised all over the internet. Luckily, my mother taught me at a young age to do my research before buying any of these “miracle cures”.  Like many of us, my experiences with the advertisement of these products was purely online… until earlier this year. I’ll set the scene: One afternoon I was walking through the main street of my town, minding my own business, heading towards my dentist appointment. Out of nowhere, a woman runs out of a little nutrition store and asks me if I’d be interested in learning more about her products. Me, finding it hard to say no and having time to waste before my appointment, agreed and headed into the store. 

I then asked if I needed to consult my doctor before starting to use these products. She told me that no, I didn't need to consult a doctor because it was all-natural,

It wasn’t until later that I realised how weird it was that she ran out of her store upon seeing me. She wasn’t standing outside her store handing out flyers, and I didn’t see her approach anyone else. Later I realised that she must have seen me as an easy target because I’m overweight and was using my walking cane. As I entered the store, I instantly regretted my decision. Every single one of the products in that store was a “health” product from a single company that is well known on the internet for promising benefits for their products that they don’t deliver. I continued to talk to this woman as if I was interested in buying the products. She went on and on about how her products have improved the lives of people with many medical conditions. 

I then asked if I needed to consult my doctor before starting to use these products. She told me that no, I didn’t need to consult a doctor because it was all-natural, and then she made a snarky comment that the fast-food I eat would react far worse with my medication than any product she sells. The funny thing is, despite being overweight, I only eat fast food not even once a week. I couldn’t believe she’d say something like that to someone she had never met before, and I knew her comment about it being all-natural and therefore not possibly interacting with medication was blatantly untrue. I then escaped the store, and the awkward situation, by telling her that I needed to leave to attend my appointment and that I would consult my finances and get back to her. After my appointment, I went home and did my research, and it turns out this company’s products are linked to liver failure. I definitely dodged a bullet. 

The Rising Awareness Concerning These Products

Some of these products are so dangerous that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has released warnings about them. The FDA is discussing tightening rules regarding these products, however, the companies behind said products are adept at finding loopholes in the law. D] Phil even did an episode regarding a “miracle” cabbage and salt-based drink that the creator claimed cured all illnesses – she evened claimed it could grow back missing limbs and organs and fix chromosome disorders. However, this drink had such a high salt content that prolonged use would cause sodium poisoning, which can be deadly. 

Some of these products are so dangerous that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has released warnings about them. The FDA is discussing tightening rules regarding these products, however, the companies behind said products are adept at finding loopholes in the law.

Thanks to coverage from platforms like these and articles all over the internet, awareness regarding these dangerous products are arising. Still, however, some people are falling victim to these schemes, and I’m hoping that the continued spread of information through the internet will eventually turn the tables against these scam products. 

Some Supplements & Diets Can Be Helpful

Depending on your chronic illness and current treatments, supplements can be helpful for aiding the treatment of your symptoms. Magnesium, for example, is widely known to help lessen muscle pain and spasms. It was first suggested to me by my doctor, and I’ve found it to be very helpful in addition to my other medications. Other popular supplements include turmeric and fish oil, which each have a long list of ways they may be able to aid your health.

Certain diets can also be helpful. I have encountered many people with obesity, chronic pain, and/or fatigue who swear by the keto diet as a way to lose weight and aid the treatment of their symptoms, though I have not yet tried it myself. These treatments (when used under the guidance of a medical professional) can be genuinely helpful. What isn’t genuinely helpful, however, is when people claim that their unreliable diets and supplements can cure any and all forms of illness, which is obviously not true.  

“Natural” Doesn’t Always Equal Safe

The main angle these companies use to advertise their “miracle cure products” is that their products are “100% natural, 100% safe!” Don’t let this fool you. A product containing all-natural ingredients does not guarantee its safety. After all, cyanide is natural! And so is the cabbage and salt drink I mentioned above, yet the amount of salt in this ‘treatment’ has caused serious medical events in patients that have drunk it, such as stroke.

It’s not just an excess of certain ingredients that can be an issue. There’s also an issue that comes along with these products targeting the chronically ill. Like many people who are chronically ill, I take a lot of medication in an attempt to manage my symptoms. Many medications have specific ingredients that may not be consumed along beside this medication. Some of these ingredients are in other medications. Others are a part of natural growing foods. For example, I can’t consume products that have grapefruit in them because that would negatively interact with the medication I take every day.

How to avoid dangerous “miracle” supplements:

Do your research. 

If anyone other than a trusted medical professional recommends a health product or routine/diet to you, do your research. When researching a product, Google the product and look at reviews that are not on a website connected to the product brand (as some brands delete negative reviews). Make sure the brand or website you’re buying from is reliable. You can even check with the FDA to see if the product is approved, or if the FDA has any concerns regarding the product or the brand. Also, in my opinion, “health” products from MLM (multi-level-marketing) companies and websites should be avoided.

Consult Your doctor or a pharmacist

As always, when starting a new health supplement or diet you need to consult with your doctor before to ensure that this will benefit your health instead of making it worse. This is especially important if you have chronic health issues and take medication. 

As always, when starting a new health supplement or diet you need to consult with your doctor before to ensure that this will benefit your health instead of making it worse. This is especially important if you have chronic health issues and take medication.

Pharmacists can give you a break down on ingredients in the supplement you are enquiring about, and inform you as to whether they will interact with any of the treatment you are undergoing. Consulting a pharmacist regarding a supplement I was interested in saved me from possibly developing Serotonin Syndrome, which can be deathly. This would have been caused due to an interaction between the supplement and one of my medications. 

Only buy from reliable sellers

Once you have the “OK” from your doctor or pharmacist, only buy health supplements from reliable sources. I personally only buy my supplements from pharmacies and supermarkets. Unless I’m visiting a website directly connected to a supermarket or pharmacy, I will not buy supplements online. 

While some people may think that what other people decide to sell or buy is no one else’s business, these “miracle” products take advantage of vulnerable people and they are also often extremely dangerous. I can not stress enough how important it is to consult a medical professional before starting a new treatment. People reading this may think I’m being repetitive and redundant, but I can’t say it enough. 

My Resources:

Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/no-this-miracle-solution-isnt-a-cure-for-cancer-autism-its-bleach#Unproven-and-dangerous-health-cures

Dr Phil, regarding dangerous cabbage-salt drinks: https://www.drphil.com/videos/medical-professional-explains-potential-dangers-of-controversial-health-beverage/

About The Author

Amy Clements is a 20-year-old who has lived with chronic pain, the result of Fibromyalgia, since childhood. In her teens she was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in her wrist, which was the result of a netball injury. Amy lives in New Zealand and studies Business part-time at University. She enjoys reading novels and writing. She especially enjoys writing about her experience with chronic illness.

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Why The “You Can Do Anything If You Try” Narrative Is Harmful to Chronically Ill and Disabled Youth

We hear the phrase “you can do anything if you try,” or something similar, throughout our entire lives; starting at preschool and kindergarten and continuing throughout school. And sure, for many children this may be true; if they put their efforts into something, they may eventually master their craft and achieve all their goals.

However, this phrase completely ignores the fact that we each have our own unique strengths and weaknesses. Someone who is naturally good at maths is going to do far better in that subject than someone who is not. And that’s ok.

Why The "You Can Do Anything If You Try" Narrative Is Harmful to Chronically Ill and Disabled Youth

This phrase becomes even more illogical once you consider that it is also often applied to disabled and chronically ill youth. When experiencing a disability or chronic illness, you often can’t do certain things, no matter how hard you try. So why is it being drilled into disabled and chronically ill youth that they can? Isn’t this harmful? Wouldn’t this lead to false expectations and damaged self-esteem? 

You may be reading this and be thinking that I’m just cynical. This article may even be seen as a little negative and controversial. However, for me, finally realising that I couldn’t do ‘everything if I put enough effort into it’ was freeing. I’ll explain why;

Coming to the realisation that I can’t do everything I try

After a lifetime of feeling like I haven’t been achieving enough (through my grades, sport, etc.), last year I had to give up studying the course that would have led me to my dream career due to my health. I felt so dejected because all my life I had been taught that I can do anything if I try hard enough.

Why The "You Can Do Anything If You Try" Narrative Is Harmful to Chronically Ill and Disabled Youth

The thing is, I WAS trying. I was working myself into exhaustion, but it still wasn’t enough. I felt like I wasn’t enough. I felt horrible about myself, to the point of feeling depressed. However, I got back up and found another course that I would be able to study without having as big of an impact on my health. I still felt horrible, but I did my best and found that this course was a lot better for me.

Six months in, I came to a realisation. I didn’t fail at continuing with the previous course because I wasn’t trying hard enough, I failed at continuing because my health didn’t allow it. It wasn’t apathy on my part, it was an actual, physical limitation.

Once I accepted my limitations, this led me to become a lot more accepting of myself. I wish I had come to this conclusion sooner; it would have saved me a lot of heartache. 

Being told that I could do anything I wanted as a child set me up for a lot of disappointment. And despite how harmful this narrative is, I see evidence that it is still being told to children every single day. Here are some other phrases that are often directed at chronically ill and disabled youth that also fit within this narrative:

“The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” 

This one especially upsets me. It wasn’t a bad attitude that caused me to experience immense chronic pain on a daily basis starting in childhood. It isn’t a bad attitude that has left me using a walking cane most of the day to get around.

This phrase takes the word “disability”, a word that has a lot of meaning to a lot of people, and tries to change the definition completely. This phrase frames disability as apathy towards carrying out tasks, rather than an actual inability to carry out these tasks. 

The “What’s your excuse?” comparisons

You may have seen memes depicting disabled athletes, with phrases written across them saying things such as “what’s your excuse?” or even worse, “Your excuse is invalid.” These memes basically use disabled people to shame others (including other disabled people) into thinking they need to adopt certain habits or push themselves past their limits. 

Why The "You Can Do Anything If You Try" Narrative Is Harmful to Chronically Ill and Disabled Youth

I understand wanting to come up with a viral, inspirational meme, but chronically ill and disabled people should not be exploited in the process. I know able-bodied and disabled people alike who agree that these memes are very harmful, especially in an age where social media is such a huge part of our lives, even more so for the youth.

My “excuse”, as they put it in the second quote, is certainly not “invalid”. I will never be an award-winning athlete, as the constant pain and exhaustion make exercise difficult. I will never be an award-winning mathematician because the brain fog makes remembering formulas difficult. I’m ok with that.

As I said above, everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Just because one disabled or chronically ill person achieves something, does not mean every other disabled or chronically ill person can.

You can’t judge a group of people by the actions of a few, and they certainly shouldn’t be shamed just because a member of the community has achieved something that they haven’t. 

“There’s no such word as ‘can’t’”

This phrase confused me a lot as a child. Mostly because my young brain would take it literally, and I knew the word “can’t” did exist. When I was presented with this phrase, for the longest time I would go fetch the dictionary to prove them wrong.

It also confused me because I knew there were things that I, and other humans, couldn’t do. I can’t fly independent of a form of aircraft. I can’t breathe underwater without using a snorkel or oxygen tank. The word “can’t” doesn’t have to be a negative word attributed to pessimists, and knowing when to accept your limits shouldn’t be considered negative either.

Why The "You Can Do Anything If You Try" Narrative Is Harmful to Chronically Ill and Disabled Youth

“Don’t let your disability define you.”

Another phrase that is often said to chronically ill or disabled youth is that we “shouldn’t let our disabilities/chronic illnesses hold us back” or “shouldn’t let our disabilities/chronic illnesses define us”. I find this to be a very naive take.

Sure, we aren’t wholly defined by our disability/ies, but what we are able to do often is. There are ways to overcome these challenges, but only to a certain extent. There are some things that, no matter how hard you push yourself, you’ll never be able to achieve.

Accepting that isn’t letting your disability define you, it’s understanding your limits and knowing there are better areas to concentrate your energy. 

I’ve even had people tell me that I shouldn’t talk about my chronic illness or disability – at all. That talking about my chronic illness or disability is letting my health control me and consume my thoughts.

My disability is a part of me. I can acknowledge my disability’s effect on my life and be proud of what I achieve despite it without letting it define me. Not to mention, it’s hard not to think about your chronic pain when you experience it every minute of the day… But that’s easy to ignore, right?

While on the surface these phrases may seem inspirational, they may do more harm than good when it comes to disabled and chronically ill youth. They can lead to false hope, which can chip away at the young person’s self-esteem when they don’t achieve everything they aim to like it did to me.

Not everyone can do everything, no matter how hard they try. Instead, we should be encouraging disabled and chronically ill youth to try their hardest to achieve goals that are realistic, yet also push and challenge them at the same time.

If there’s one thing I want disabled and chronically ill youth to take away from this article, it is that you should feel comfortable doing what you CAN. With the help of those who care about you, set your own pace in life.

Push yourself, but not so hard that your goals become unachievable. Don’t let society tell you that trying your hardest isn’t good enough, because it is. Know that you are enough.

About The Author

Amy Clements is a 20-year-old who has lived with chronic pain, the result of Fibromyalgia, since childhood. In her teens she was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in her wrist, which was the result of a netball injury. Amy lives in New Zealand and studies Business part-time at University. She enjoys reading novels and writing. She especially enjoys writing about her experience with chronic illness.

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Tips to Make Sure Your Doctors Hear You (It’s Important For Your Health)

It’s no secret that women’s medical issues have historically been minimized and dismissed by healthcare professionals worldwide. In ancient Greece, doctors described how the uterus is like a living breathing creature that wreaks havoc on our systems and so I would expect Dr. Hippocrates to tell me that my illness is hysteria. I expect that from medical care from centuries ago.  

We’ve come a long way since then, so I wouldn’t expect an ER doctor to say that in the 21st century. 

Welcome To Medical Care in the 21st century of the Middle Ages

But yet, that’s exactly what happened. I went in with high blood pressure, chest pain, and fatigue, and I was told there was nothing wrong with me, and to go home. That was the first of many times that doctors dismissed me, ignored my complaints, or told me to relax. (Yes, it was, in fact, my doctor and not Frankie who said, “RELAX”). 

4 Tips to Make Sure your Doctors Hear You

I had to deal with:

  • The doctor who told me that my migraines were here to stay, so I should just take some Excedrin and get used to agonizing pain being the rest of my life. 
  • The urologist who told me that despite the fact that I can feel my bladder pretty much 24/7 that there was nothing wrong with me, and he couldn’t help me. 
  • And the primary care doc who treated me like I was a checklist to complete and hand back to the insurance adjustors. 

But that was the first time I fully understood what it meant. It meant that it didn’t matter that I was in pain, or sick, or struggling – they just wanted me out of there. I remember the feeling of being half-naked in a hospital bed, with wires attached to my chest.

4 Tips to Make Sure your Doctors Hear You

Vulnerable and afraid, now I had a new feeling. Shame. I felt ashamed for wasting their time. No. that wasn’t it. I felt ashamed because they made me feel like I was wasting their time. 

In my replays of that scene, I’m assertive, and I make my case. I floor him with my eloquence calling him out on his misogyny. I tell him he’s dismissing me, and I ask for a second opinion. 

In real life, I burst into tears. 

Making My Voice Heard

I didn’t know what to do, but I was going to make my voice heard. Unfortunately, as it turns out, no one wanted to listen. Calls to their patient advocacy office went unanswered, and no one other than the billing department even seemed to remember or care that I was a patient, a customer of their establishment.  I tried to advocate for myself – but no one was listening. We need to make ourselves a priority

My experience isn’t unique. A quick search on Google reveals that this is an ongoing problem. John Oliver did a piece on the disparity of treatment between men and women by healthcare professionals that sounds like our medical system is stuck in the dark ages. And unfortunately, there’s plenty of evidence in the laws being passed that women’s health simply isn’t a priority. And it won’t be unless we make it one. 

Prioritizing

The other day I was driving my husband to the airport and my chest started to hurt. I suffer from chronic pain from an undiagnosed mystery condition (otherwise known as IDS – Ignored by Doctor Syndrome), so I tend to simply ignore it. It’ll go away in a few days. 6 years later I’m still saying that.

I realized that as much as I hate to admit it, part of the problem is me. I rely on humour to cope, so I spend a lot of time minimizing my own symptoms and pain, historically even with my doctors. I was always putting everyone else ahead of myself because I’d lived with the pain for so long, why prioritize it now.

I bring it up at my checkups, but it’s routinely ignored. It occurred to me that if Alex was in pain, he’d go to the doctor, he’d be seen, and he’d come out of there with a solution. He simply wouldn’t entertain any other option.

Why wasn’t I doing the same thing?

I realized that as much as I hate to admit it, part of the problem is me. I rely on humour to cope, so I spend a lot of time minimizing my own symptoms and pain, historically even with my doctors. I was always putting everyone else ahead of myself because I’d lived with the pain for so long, why prioritize it now. 

The question I should have been asking is why not prioritize it now? My family relies on me to take care of myself to be around for years to come, and part of that means taking an interest in my own healthcare. I’m done ignoring my health, and I’m done letting others ignore it too. For the first time in my life, I am going to prioritize myself. 

Because that’s what we need. As chronically ill patients, we need to put ourselves first so that we’re around to take care of the people we love. I resolved to set up a system to make sure I get listened to and get the healthcare I deserve. 

Take Yourself Seriously

The first thing that we as women need to do to make sure we’re taken seriously is to take ourselves seriously. If you tend to downplay your pain or put on a brave face by minimizing your pain or your symptoms, even the best of doctors is going to have trouble diagnosing you.

Pay attention to your body and be mindful of your symptoms. Don’t ignore them simply because you’ve had them for a long time. If you’ve been in pain for a while and don’t know why, that’s something to take note of. 

Write It Down

Tips to Make Sure your Doctors Hear You (And Why It's Important)

I always think of things I need to discuss with my doctor in the most random places and times. In an escape room, while I’m doing dishes, or right before bed. I always say I’ll remember but I never do. Write down your issues when you think of them, and don’t dismiss them when you’re in the doctor’s office just because you aren’t feeling that way at that moment. Articulate the feeling in your smartphone or your journal or notebook so you have it to refer to. 

Do Your Homework

This one is the most time consuming but will make a difference. Research your doctors on Yelp, Angie’s List or Healthgrades. Look for people with 3+ star reviews and read through them to learn why people rated the way they did. Google the doctor to see if there are any articles or blog posts written about them that raise red flags. You can also check with your friends and family to see if they have someone that they recommend. 

This part may not work well for everyone, but if you aren’t happy with your experience, try another doctor. Years ago, I went to see 5 different physicians before I found the doctor I was with for 6 years, and I would have stayed with if he hadn’t relocated.  

Enlist A Friend

If you’re worried about your ability to remain calm and put together or advocate for yourself, bring a friend or a family member you trust with you. 

I’ve been in pain as long as I can remember, and I’ve been ignored for years, and sometimes I get tired of fighting and feeling like its an uphill battle. I remembered though that as long as I have a voice, and I do, I can speak up for myself and others, and I can be heard. As long as I have a choice, I can find healthcare professionals to take me seriously. I don’t have to stay where I am, I can always make a different choice. 

Have you found any techniques that work particularly well for you to get taken seriously by healthcare professionals? 

About The Author

Minessa Konecky is a social media strategist and business coach who has lived with an assortment of chronic illnesses since her teens including chronic back pain, migraine, general anxiety, and depression. Instead of a unicorn, she’s opted for a dragon as her unique snowflake avatar because for her they symbolize wisdom and strength that help her triumph over her restrictions, but also let her take a nap when she needs one. She enjoys bingewatching post-apocalyptic TV shows, meditation, playing with her 3 mini huskies and has an encyclopedic knowledge of pointless 80s and 90s media trivia. 

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The Benefits of Meditation (How to Relax Your Body and Mind)

The Benefits of Meditation (How to Relax Your Body and Mind)

If you find yourself feeling anxious and stressed more frequently than usual, it’s time to take a break before you find your bucket overflowed with stress. You can achieve this by pampering your mind and body with meditation. Meditation is one of the best ways to cope with stress as it releases tension from our muscles and encourages the supply of oxygenated blood to our brain. It gives us a moment for self-reflection and helps in finding the answers to our problems within. It is also very relaxing.

How I Like to Meditate:

Focusing attention to the different parts of the body through meditation is a good way to quiet the mind. You may start practicing meditation by sitting comfortably while closing your eyes. Relax your shoulders by placing your hands on your lap. Take a few slow and deep breaths and exhale the stress from your body with each exhale. After that, start focusing on the different parts of your body starting from the toes, legs, and hips with each breath. Picture yourself sending vibrations of relaxation to each body part and release your tension as you do so.

You can practice this for five to ten minutes before you go back to your regular tasks. Here are some of the benefits of meditation:

Using Meditation to Calm The Mind

It Reduces Stress Levels Within Your Body and Can Lessen Inflammation

Stress causes the release of hormones such as Cortisol. It produces harmful effects on your body and releases cytokines, which is an inflammation-promoting chemical. These hormones and chemicals can promote disturbed sleep, anxiety, and depression. It also leads to cloudy thinking and fatigue. People often use meditation for stress reduction. A study shows that if you do mindfulness meditation for more than eight weeks, it can lower the harmful effects of inflammatory hormones on our body. Meditation can also improve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia.  

Helps Control Inflammation

If you feel less stressed, this can lead to you feeling less anxious. If you start practicing meditation you could experience a reduction in your anxiety. Along with that, it also reduces the symptoms of anxiety such as paranoid thoughts, phobias, social anxiety, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive behavior. Meditation can not only reduces the symptoms of anxiety but can also help you cope up with the stress related to the high-pressure working environment.

Helps in Decreasing Blood Pressure

Meditation helps in reducing the strain on your heart. High blood pressure creates pressure on the heart, and it has to work harder to pump the blood, which leads to poor heart function. With time, high blood pressure contributes to narrowing the heart arteries, and atherosclerosis, which can be the main cause of heart stroke and attack. When you practice meditation and chant non-vocalized words, it can help in reducing high blood pressure. This can lead to a controlled nervous system and coordinated heart signal.

Using Meditation to Help Decrease Blood Pressure

Helps You to Bear Pain

Your mind plays an important role in perceiving pain, and it can pain levels can increase if you’re in a stressful condition. A study shows that if you practice yoga on a regular basis, it helps you make less sensitive towards pain and decrease in chronic pain. Meditation helps in diminishing the perception of the pain in your brain. This process can help you cope with intermittent pain. 

Can Improve Your Sleep Pattern

Half of the population of the world struggles with insomnia at some point in their lives. If you practice mindfulness meditation techniques regularly, you’ll notice an improvement in your sleep. Meditation not only helps you sleep easily but also makes sleep more satisfying. Our racing thoughts, stress, and anxiety don’t let our brain relax, and that leads to insomnia. Meditation calms these thoughts and helps in relaxing our brain, releasing tension and putting you in a peaceful state. 

Aids Addiction Recovery

Meditation helps in increasing self-control, which can help you to get rid of any kind of dependencies and increase awareness for triggers towards addictive behavior. A study shows that regular practice of meditation helps people to increase their willpower, redirect their attention, control impulses, and more. For people who are taking medication and treatment for drugs or alcohol addiction, meditation can serve as the perfect aid for controlling your cravings. Meditation also helps in controlling food-related cravings and is helpful for disorders like obesity.

Using Meditation to Help Control Addictive Behavior

Can Also Increase Positive Feelings Such As Generocity

Regular practice of meditation helps in increasing positivity towards yourself and others. Love kindness meditation is a technique that helps you to develop kind thoughts towards yourself and others. You start developing mercy and forgiveness, first to yourself then gradually towards an acquaintance and finally towards your enemies. Not only does this encourage love and kindness, but also it helps in reducing marriage conflicts, social anxiety, and aids anger management. This meditation technique is an excellent way to learn compassion and empathy towards others and to look upon life with positive feelings.

Bipin Baloni is a passionate Yogi, Yoga Teacher and a Traveller in India. He organizes 200 hours of yoga teacher training in various cities in India and Nepal. He also conducts AyurvedaCourses in Kerala He loves writing and reading books related to yoga, health, nature, Himalayas and Trekking in Nepal .

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My Personal Experience with Childhood Obesity: Child Obesity Week

My Personal Experience with Childhood Obesity: Child Obesity Week

I’ll be honest, writing this article made me feel a little uncomfortable. In the previous articles I have written, I have focused specifically on my chronic pain, and may have briefly mentioned my weight in passing. I have never written a piece specifically about my weight before. As an obese woman with a chronic illness, my weight makes me feel self-conscious. I want to lose weight, however, it is extremely difficult for me. I recently adjusted my diet and have lost a few Kgs so far this year, but it’s slow going.

My Personal Experience with Childhood Obesity: Child Obesity Week

Obesity is one of the biggest public health threats currently facing the UK. It is also the second biggest human generated burden to the economy, coming after smoking. Obese children are much more likely to become obese in adulthood than children who aren’t. This can lead to significant health issues as well as problems with self-esteem.

The Statistics

According to the RCPH (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health), almost 1 in 5 children are overweight or obese when they start primary school. It is estimated that half of all children will be overweight or obese by 2020. While there can be many causes for childhood obesity, it has been found that there is a correlation between deprivation and prevalence in overweight/obesity. In 2015 and 2016, 40% of children in England’s most deprived areas were overweight or obese, compared to 27% of children in areas that are not.

My Experience

I was 7 years old when I was first told I was overweight. This was around the time my chronic pain was starting to become concerning to my parents (it had been continuously brushed off as “growing pains” by doctors). From then on, I struggled with my weight throughout my childhood. I had chronic gastro reflux and I would comfort eat in an attempt to escape the chronic pain I experienced every day (which we now know is the result of Fibromyalgia). I didn’t seem to be able to process when I was full. This made managing my weight as a child very difficult. 

It was when puberty hit (about the age of 11) when my weight started rising at what seemed like an uncontrollable rate. My pain levels had risen to a level that I was now disabled, and I was being trialed on heaps of different medications from tramadol to gabapentin in attempts to control it. By the age of 12, I had become obese. I became very self-conscious about my body, a lot of that due to the bullying I received from other students. I was called names like “whale” on top of the bullying I had received for having an invisible disability. 

My Personal Experience with Childhood Obesity: Child Obesity Week

My issue seemed to be that I had a large appetite without having the ability to exercise to balance it out. Simply put, I ate too much, despite my parents trying to control my portions. I still do eat too much. It’s a habit I’m working very hard to overcome. My weight fluctuated throughout my teen years. It seemed that whenever I got settled into an exercise plan and lost a considerable amount of weight, I’d become sick with a pain flare and gain it all again, plus more.

Stereotypes About Obese Children

I have seen many posts on the internet where people say that if a parent “allows” their kid to become obese, then they should be charged with child abuse. I find this ridiculous. My parents did everything they could to try to teach me about healthy eating habits. It is through no fault of theirs that I became obese. Families with obese children need help, not judgement. 

Before my chronic pain became a disability, I loved to be active. I did rock climbing, swimming, played netball and enjoyed playing sports like soccer and hockey during P.E. class. I was a part of a marching team (not a marching band, more like army marching) from the age of five until the age of twelve that had weekly training, so I was getting plenty of exercise. I even did child Zumba.

However, my weight kept increasing. One stereotype about obese children is that they sit around playing video games all day. Sure, maybe some do, but I certainly didn’t. In fact, my parents refused to buy us any form of gaming console. We never had an Xbox, a Wii, or a Play Station. We were encouraged to play outside as much as possible, and I definitely did. One thing I have learned from being chronically ill is that you can’t tar an entire group of people with the same brush. 

Things I believe may help.

One thing I never learned in school was how to grow my own food. Buying vegetables and fruit can get very expensive, so I would love to have learned how to grow my own food in a garden. Sure, I could do my own research (and I plan to) and learn that way, however, I feel that it would make a huge difference if children were taught this stuff growing up so that by the time they’re adults it’s second nature.  

My Personal Experience with Childhood Obesity: Child Obesity Week

All children should learn how to cook. Some schools teach children to cook as early as 11 years old (if not earlier), which should definitely happen everywhere. Of course, I don’t think children should be forced to become mini master chefs, however, if a child shows interest in what’s being cooked for dinner, they may be more conscious about what they eat. 

As said above, obesity in children is likely to result in obesity in adulthood, as it did for me. In order to lose weight lifestyle changes must be made. However, if you are hindered by factors such as budget or chronic illness, that may be easier said than done. All children deserve to be happy and healthy, and I believe that as a society, we can work to change childhood obesity rates as one of the things that challenges that.

My Sources: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/key-topics/nutrition-obesity/about-childhood-obesity

About The Author:

Amy Clements is a 20-year-old who has lived with chronic pain, the result of Fibromyalgia, since childhood. In her teens she was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in her wrist, which was the result of a netball injury. Amy lives in New Zealand and studies Business part-time at University. She enjoys reading novels and writing. She especially enjoys writing about her experience with chronic illness.

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Stomping On Adjustment Disorder

Throughout a person’s life they face multiple events that are potentially life changing.  These changes can be stressful and difficult to come to terms with. It can be something small or more significant, for example a relationship breakup, a birth, death or being diagnosed with a chronic illness or disability. Change can be extremely difficult to process. A person might begin to feel sad about what’s happening, they might feel hopelessness, loose interest in anything they normally love doing, as well as crying unexpectedly.  This inability to cope with change is called Adjustment Disorder (AD). Today as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Tylia is going to share her story of how she overcame on Adjustment Disorder

When It All Began

It all started last March I was looking out the window while driving to a regular doctor’s appointment. It was a gloomy morning. I looked at the road and saw all the cows and farms on the country road that led me to the Doctors Office. 

Stomping On Adjustment Disorder - When It All Began

I turned to my mom and told her I had been feeling more sad than usual and that I needed to talk to the doctor about it. My mom lowered the volume of the radio. She looked worried, like any mother would. She said it probably causes we just moved to Clermont not that long ago and I don’t know anybody here 

Little did she know it was more than that. It was the fact that I was feeling trapped in my body more than usual due to my condition. Cerebral Palsy affects my mobility and my ability to get around. I’m constantly confined to a wheelchair twenty-four hours a day although I’m very sociable and I go out with friends and I’m a college student I tend to always feel like I’m a glitch in video game still trying to find my way. Luckily, I found my passion for writing at a young age, after the death of my friend.  But all the sudden the one thing I loved the most since I was a teenager didn’t help me during this time. Although on the outside I seemed to have it all, on the inside I was secretly breaking down each day. Getting angry at my situation and how things weren’t working out in my life at the age of twenty-two. 

Seeking Professional Help

I told my doctor about how I was feeling, and she referred me to a mental health doctor. In the meantime, me she prescribed Fluoxetine to help with my anxiety and depression. I Needed to take it every single day, cutting the pill in half and placing it in my orange juice every morning. 

Seeking Professional Help for Adjustment Disorder

At first, when taking Fluoxetine, it helped focus a lot and my emotional state. I was doing okay but after a while, I would become hungry and would want to eat junk food every few minutes while being focus on what I was doing but after a while I started to have the mindset that I needed to take the pills to be happy.  I felt like I no longer had control of my life. As someone who is an inspiration to many people, I couldn’t lift myself to see a happy light in my life again. 

A few months passed and I finally got to see a therapist. I was very open about feeling trapped in my body and the difficulty of being an adult with Cerebral Palsy. At the end the therapist said, “based on everything you told me I’m going to diagnose you with anxiety and Depression, Adjustment disorder.”   

At first, I was crushed. How could someone like me, who has everything going for her, have a disorder like AD at the age of twenty-two? I spent the next couple weeks angry at the world. The Fluoxetine was taking a toll on my body. I started to get pimples all over my body. I was facing this major challenge in my life my now ex-boyfriend walked out on me.  That caused me to get more depressed to the point where I stopped eating, writing, and going to school. I basically stopped my life. 

The Turning Point For My Adjustment Disorder

Until I woke up one day, with the support of my family  and my friends. I told myself I wasn’t going to let AD to take over my life anymore. I wasn’t going to take Fluoxetine anymore either. 

As of September 8th, 2018, I haven’t taken a single pill and I’m much happier. I’m now an advocate for mental health and I started to write again. I completed my second novel and I’m continuing my studies. 

My message to anyone struggling with mental health is you gotta keep on stomping regardless of the darkness you see they’re always a light.

About The Author

Tylia Flores is a 24-year-old born with cerebral palsy. Although her condition has affected her mobility, it has never affected her will and determination to make a difference in the world. Through her many life challenges and obstacles, she discovered her passion for writing. Tylia’s goal in life is to share her stories with the world.

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Fibromyalgia Struggles

May 12th is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. Fibromyalgia is a condition where the person feels widespread pain throughout the body, along with other symptoms such as Chronic Fatigue, Brain Fog and a host of others discussed below. Fibromyalgia is not an inflammatory condition but is thought to be a misconnect between the brain and it’s pain receptors.

The Sick Girl

When I was younger, I struggled with my health a lot and was known as “The Injured Girl” or “The Sick Girl”. I was always teased because I was sick and missed school a lot, even though I was able to keep up with my grades. I had teachers and coaches say I was just doing attention seeking behaviours and not truly in pain. I hated to do water activities because the water balloons or pump action water guns hurt so bad, the cold water would make it worse.

I started to lose some friends in junior high because they didn’t want to hang out with a “Debbie Downer”. This was the beginning of me trying to figure out that if what I was feeling was what everyone else experienced and I was just not handling the pain very well, or if I was experiencing pain that wasn’t supposed to be normal.  

Fibromyalgia Struggles and Loneliness

My first time of realizing that I was struggling with pain and my body not really working was when I was in PE in high school. My body was in constant pain and certain textures were bothering me. I had a doctor notice something with my back and that was the first time I had any validation from someone other than my parents that I was in pain.

The Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia

Two years and a half years after that my parents took me to a specialist in Salt Lake City to try to find out what all was going on with my body and see if there was anything that could be done. This was the first time that I had ever heard of fibromyalgia. I was also diagnosed with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis as well during that visit (I will tell my story about these two later, for now I want to focus on fibro). The doctor just told me what he was diagnosing me with and sent us on our merry way back home 

I didn’t really think anything of my diagnosis and didn’t really think of what that meant at the time and what it could mean in the future. At the time, I was just glad to finally have a name or names to go along with my pain and that it wasn’t just all in my head. I had thought that it would have made my life a little easier and that people would stop calling me attention seeking, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. I still lost friends because I wasn’t getting better after my diagnosis. I had a few tell me that I was depressing because I would tell them what my body was feeling like and being honest with my limitations.

Symptoms

“Common symptoms include: widespread pain, jaw pain and stiffness, pain and tiredness in the face muscles and adjacent fibrous tissues, stiff joints and muscles in the morning, headaches, irregular sleep patterns, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), painful menstrual periods, tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, restless leg syndrome (RLS), sensitivity to cold or heat, difficulties with memory and concentration known as ‘fibro-fog’, and fatigue. The following are also possible: problems with vision, nausea, pelvic and urinary problems, weight gain, dizziness, cold or flu-like symptoms, skin problems, chest symptoms, depression and anxiety, and breathing problems.”

Living with Fibromyalgia - woman in bed

This chronic illness is one that many doctors don’t agree that it is a chronic illness. My first specialist diagnosed me based on a lot of my symptoms and I was glad to have a diagnosis. I recently started seeing a new doctor because I had a flare and we decided to see what was flaring up to see if we could try and get it under control.

This is the first time I have ever had a doctor tell me that they do not believe that fibromyalgia is a diagnosis. He was honest in saying that he believes that fibromyalgia is just a doctor’s way of saying “I don’t really know what is wrong with you, but since your nerves are causing pain I will just call if fibromyalgia.”

In some ways, I agree with the doctor because some doctors just give a random diagnosis because they want to just not be asked to try and find what is wrong. In other ways, I disagree. I believe that it is a diagnosis, I believe that trauma or other chronic illnesses can trigger it, but I do not believe that it is not considered a chronic illness. Sometimes we, chronically ill patients, have to make a choice.

The Struggles

Some choices are whether to swap doctors to get the treatment and communication that we need/desire and other choices are whether we agree with the treatments we are given. I have decided it is in my best interest to stay with my new doctor because he wants to help me and keep open communication. I don’t agree with the diagnosis being “taken away” from me, but he is trying to treat the cause of the flare and not just give medications that are “band-aids” to mask the symptoms. For fibromyalgia awareness, I am bringing to light only some of the struggles that I am going through.

Conclusion

What I am experiencing is not what others are experiencing with the same diagnoses as I have. We also choose different treatments based on how our bodies respond to them and what our lives are like along with our own personal end goals. I am personally glad that my husband, doctor, support team, and I have agreed upon a treatment plan that will help me reach my own goal with my quality of life. I am glad that it will not take away my ability to write blogs, start video blogging, and work (as long as my body will allow).

About The Author: