A detailed guide to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), including its symptoms, causes, and effective treatment strategies to improve energy and well-being.
I’m Not ‘Lucky’ to Be on Disability Benefits Due to Fibromyalgia When someone hears about a person receiving disability benefits, especially for an invisible illness like fibromyalgia, the word “lucky” may slip out—sometimes with the best intentions. But let’s be clear: there is nothing “lucky” about battling a lifelong, incurable condition that affects every aspect of daily living. Disability benefits are not a jackpot or a free ride. They are a hard-earned, often fought-for lifeline…
Introduction: Stephanie’s Story – Turning Pain into Power Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is often called the “suicide disease” because of its unrelenting and excruciating pain. But for Stephanie, her journey with CRPS became a story of resilience, hope, and transformation. In this exclusive testimonial, Stephanie opens up about her life-changing experience — from the devastating onset of symptoms to discovering strength she never knew she had. The Day Everything Changed: Stephanie’s First Encounter with…
When I’m Judged for Using Disabled Parking With an Invisible Illness Every time I pull into a disabled parking spot, I brace myself. Not for the walk into the building or the flare-up that made me need the space in the first place—but for the looks, the whispers, the judgment. Because I don’t “look sick.” And in a world that still struggles to understand invisible illness, that’s enough for some to assume I’m doing something…
26 Silly Things People Forgot About Because of Fibro Fog Fibromyalgia can come with a long list of symptoms, but one of the most frustrating—and often unexpectedly funny—is fibro fog. This mental cloudiness can make simple tasks feel like solving a riddle. You forget words, misplace items, and sometimes even forget what you were doing mid-sentence. It’s a daily challenge, but it also brings moments of humor that only those who’ve experienced it truly understand.…
When Celebrities Talk About Chronic Illness, Don’t Forget About Everyday Spoonies When celebrities talk about chronic illness, headlines follow. Social media buzzes. Interviews go viral. For a brief moment, the world listens. But as the attention fades, what remains for the millions of people who live daily with invisible conditions? These individuals, known lovingly in the chronic illness community as “spoonies,” are often left behind in the narrative, quietly managing symptoms, navigating medical systems, and…
What I Realized When My Mother-in-Law Said, “I Hope You Feel Better Soon” There are some phrases that float past us so often they become background noise. “Take care.” “Feel better.” “Let me know if you need anything.” But every so often, one of these phrases lands with weight. That’s what happened when my mother-in-law quietly said, “I hope you feel better soon.” It was a simple statement, but it revealed far more than sympathy.…
The Best Weather for People With Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is a complex condition, marked by chronic pain, fatigue, and sensitivity to a wide range of triggers—including the weather. For many people living with fibromyalgia, the environment plays a noticeable role in how their symptoms flare up or ease down. From damp cold mornings to sweltering hot afternoons, climate can either be a silent ally or an unwelcome foe. But is there truly a “best” weather for…
When I Don’t Feel ‘Disabled Enough’ as Someone With a Chronic Illness There’s a quiet struggle that many people with chronic illness carry—a tension that rarely makes its way into conversations, even within disability communities. It’s the feeling of not being “disabled enough.” You live with pain, fatigue, or a body that doesn’t work like it used to, but you look in the mirror and wonder if you qualify. You walk through life managing symptoms…
Dear Spoonies, It’s Time to Forgive Yourself If You Can’t Keep a Routine For many, routines are the backbone of success. Wake up early, exercise, plan your meals, check your goals. The world praises discipline, consistency, and structure. But for spoonies—those living with chronic illnesses—the pressure to maintain a perfect routine can feel not only overwhelming but impossible. When your energy is limited, your symptoms unpredictable, and your body often working against you, sticking to…
What the Scariest Part of Chronic Illness Feels Like to Me When people think about chronic illness, they often picture pain, fatigue, or endless appointments. And yes, those are hard. But what they don’t see—the part that stays quiet and hidden—is what truly terrifies me. Because the scariest part of chronic illness doesn’t always show up on a medical chart or in a flare-up. It’s the slow erosion of certainty, the unpredictability of the next…