Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Living with Multiple Diagnoses: FM, EDS, MCAS, and Lyme – A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Overlapping Chronic Conditions

Managing one chronic illness is challenging enough. But for many individuals, the reality includes multiple diagnoses that interact in complex, unpredictable, and often debilitating ways. Among the most common co-occurring conditions are fibromyalgia (FM), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and chronic Lyme disease. Each of these disorders comes with its own symptoms, treatment strategies, and frustrations, but when they overlap, patients often feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, and under-supported. In 2025, more patients and…

by chronicillness•09/28/202509/28/2025•0

Talking to Your Employer About Chronic Pain: A Practical Guide for Workplace Communication

Chronic pain affects millions of people and can significantly impact productivity, attendance, and overall workplace satisfaction. For individuals living with long-term pain from conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, or back disorders, balancing health and work responsibilities requires more than medication and resilience—it also demands honest, strategic communication with employers. Discussing chronic pain at work is not easy. It involves sensitive topics, possible stigma, and concerns about how your disclosure might affect your job security or future…

by chronicillness•09/28/202509/28/2025•0

How to Track Your Symptoms and Flares Like a Pro: A Smart Strategy for Managing Chronic Illness

Living with a chronic condition like fibromyalgia, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, or rheumatoid arthritis means dealing with symptoms that can change daily, sometimes even hourly. Pain levels fluctuate, fatigue intensifies, brain fog can appear without warning, and emotional well-being is often affected. These variations make it difficult to identify what triggers flare-ups and what truly helps. That’s where symptom tracking comes in—a proactive and powerful tool that helps you take control of your health. Learning…

by chronicillness•09/28/202509/28/2025•0

Building a Daily Routine Around Chronic Pain: Practical Habits for a Balanced Life

Living with chronic pain is a journey that requires constant adjustment. Pain is not just a symptom; it affects how you sleep, move, think, and interact with the world. When pain becomes part of everyday life, establishing a daily routine becomes essential—not to eliminate discomfort entirely, but to manage it more effectively and maintain a sense of structure and purpose. A well-structured routine can help you navigate the unpredictability of chronic pain, reduce the mental…

by chronicillness•09/28/202509/28/2025•0

Fibromyalgia

Why Some Patients Travel Overseas for Fibro Treatment: The Search for Relief Beyond Borders

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that brings widespread pain, fatigue, poor sleep, and cognitive challenges often referred to as “fibro fog.” For many patients, navigating treatment is an uphill battle—diagnoses are delayed, therapies are expensive, and insurance coverage is inconsistent. Even in countries where fibromyalgia is officially recognized, care is often fragmented, leaving patients frustrated and desperate for better options. This frustration has led to a growing trend: fibromyalgia patients traveling overseas for treatment. From specialized pain clinics in Europe to…

by chronicillness•09/27/202509/27/2025•0

Fibromyalgia

Why Big Pharma Is Racing to Find Better Fibromyalgia Medications: The Future of Chronic Pain Treatment

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects millions worldwide. It causes widespread pain, fatigue, poor sleep, and cognitive fog. For decades, fibromyalgia was dismissed as psychosomatic, leaving patients with few treatment options and little validation. But today, the tide is turning. Big pharma is racing to find better fibromyalgia medications, and the reasons are clear: fibro is one of the most common chronic pain conditions, current treatments are limited, and the global demand for effective relief is massive. For patients long underserved by…

by chronicillness•09/27/202509/27/2025•0

Florence Nightingale: The Pioneer with Chronic Illness

Introduction Florence Nightingale, widely regarded as the founder of modern nursing, revolutionized healthcare during the 19th century. Her innovations in nursing practices, hospital design, and sanitation continue to have a lasting impact on global healthcare systems today. However, behind her extraordinary achievements lay a personal battle with chronic illness that significantly shaped her life and career. Nightingale’s struggle with chronic health conditions raises intriguing questions about how she coped with illness while making monumental contributions…

by Dr Alex Robber•09/21/202508/23/2025•0

Fibromyalgia and the Fear of Moving: How Chronic Pain Creates ‘Invisible Chains’

Fibromyalgia is a complex condition that affects millions of people worldwide, causing widespread pain, fatigue, and a range of other symptoms. Among the most significant challenges faced by individuals with fibromyalgia is the psychological barrier to movement. For many, the fear of triggering or exacerbating pain can create a profound reluctance to engage in physical activities. This article explores how chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia create invisible psychological chains that prevent individuals from being as…

by Dr Alex Robber•08/25/202508/23/2025•0

Could Fibromyalgia Be an Evolutionary Adaptation? A Unique Theory Exploring the Body’s Protective Response

Fibromyalgia is often considered a perplexing and misunderstood condition. It is characterized by chronic pain, fatigue, cognitive disturbances, and a variety of other symptoms that affect millions of people worldwide. Despite decades of research, the exact cause of fibromyalgia remains elusive. However, a fascinating theory has emerged suggesting that fibromyalgia could be an evolutionary adaptation—a response from the body to protect itself from overexertion and the harmful effects of chronic stress. This theory challenges traditional…

by Dr Alex Robber•08/24/202508/23/2025•0

Personality Changes Symptoms in Fibromyalgia: Exploring the Emotional and Behavioral Shifts

Fibromyalgia is a complex, chronic condition primarily characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. While the physical symptoms of fibromyalgia are well-known, the emotional and psychological aspects of the disorder are often overlooked. One of the more subtle but impactful manifestations of fibromyalgia is changes in personality. These changes can include shifts in mood, behavior, and cognitive function that may not only affect the individual’s personal life but also their social and professional interactions.…

by Dr Alex Robber•06/28/202508/02/2025•0