Picture this: a tomato-faced woman shuffling through a 5K, counting down the days until autumn. That was my entire summer running 'strategy’. I realised that I hadn't blogged about running for quite some time, so thought I'd do a short post with where things are at the moment. Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom on Pexels.com Why … Continue reading Autumn Comeback: Muddling Along with Running and Fibromyalgia
Talking About Fibromyalgia: What to Tell Family and Friends Who Don’t Understand
Living with fibromyalgia can feel isolating at the best of times, but perhaps nowhere is this more apparent than when trying to explain your condition to family and friends. The invisible nature of the illness, combined with its unpredictable fluctuations, can make these conversations feel like an uphill battle. Yet having these discussions is crucial … Continue reading Talking About Fibromyalgia: What to Tell Family and Friends Who Don’t Understand
Fibromyalgia Survival: Build Your Own Coping Manual
Photo by Katya Wolf on Pexels.com Living with fibromyalgia can often feel overwhelming. From navigating complex symptoms to finding effective coping strategies, the journey can be both challenging and isolating. But what if you had your own personalized guidebook—a resource tailored to your experiences, insights, and needs? Enter the “Fibro Manual” or commonplace book, a … Continue reading Fibromyalgia Survival: Build Your Own Coping Manual
The One Thing That Really Helps on My Worst Fibro Days – My Infra Red Sauna Blanket
Photo by Kindel Media on Pexels.com There are certain things in my fibromyalgia toolkit that I could manage without, and then there are the absolute essentials – the things that have transformed how I cope with the condition. My infrared sauna blanket sits firmly in the latter category, and I really don't know how I … Continue reading The One Thing That Really Helps on My Worst Fibro Days – My Infra Red Sauna Blanket
Finding My Way Back to Yoga: In Praise of Chair Yoga for Chronic Pain
I've always had a complicated relationship with yoga. On one hand, I know it can be beneficial - the gentle stretching, the mindfulness, the promise of reduced pain and increased flexibility. On the other hand, my fibromyalgia and arthritis seemed to conspire against me every time I tried to join a class. During lockdown, I … Continue reading Finding My Way Back to Yoga: In Praise of Chair Yoga for Chronic Pain
Can Fibromyalgia Cause Skin Problems? My Personal Experience
When we talk about fibromyalgia, we typically focus on the widespread pain, the fatigue, the brain fog. But there's another aspect of this condition that's often overlooked - the way it can completely transform your relationship with your skin. Looking back now, I realise that some of my earliest warning signs weren't the aches and … Continue reading Can Fibromyalgia Cause Skin Problems? My Personal Experience
Celebrating Average in (park)running and life when you have a chronic illness
A few Saturdays ago, I crossed the finish line at a parkrun and checked my watch with the usual mix of hope and resignation that comes with chronic illness. The numbers stared back at me: I had hit the exact average time for this particular parkrun. Not a personal best, not a time that would … Continue reading Celebrating Average in (park)running and life when you have a chronic illness
Beat the Heat: Coping with Hot Weather When You Have Fibromyalgia
If, like me, you struggle with heat and temperature regulation, you may find that summer is a challenging time when the weather heats up. Photo by Bruno Scramgnon on Pexels.com While many people look forward to those long, sunny days, the heat can wreak havoc on our already sensitive systems. Temperature sensitivity is incredibly common … Continue reading Beat the Heat: Coping with Hot Weather When You Have Fibromyalgia
Sleep Restriction for Fibromyalgia: Why Less Sleep Time Can Mean Better Sleep Quality
If you're living with fibromyalgia, you're likely all too familiar with the cruel irony of chronic fatigue paired with poor sleep quality. Despite feeling exhausted, you may find yourself lying awake for hours, tossing and turning, or waking frequently throughout the night. This sleep disruption doesn't just leave you tired—it can worsen fibromyalgia symptoms, creating … Continue reading Sleep Restriction for Fibromyalgia: Why Less Sleep Time Can Mean Better Sleep Quality
Exercise-Induced Migraines: How Pushing Through Flu Derailed My 10K Training Plan
What happens when you push yourself too hard during 10K training while recovering from flu? In my case, it led to an exercise-induced migraine that knocked me out for days. Here's my experience and what I learned about this common but rarely discussed running challenge. My Running Journey Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom on Pexels.com I’ve … Continue reading Exercise-Induced Migraines: How Pushing Through Flu Derailed My 10K Training Plan
Musings on Life with Fibromyalgia 