There's nothing quite like a fibromyalgia flare to remind you just how unpredictable life with chronic illness can be. One minute you're pottering around the house feeling reasonably human, the next you're hit with that familiar wave of pain and exhaustion that sends you straight back to bed with a cup of tea and whatever … Continue reading Creating a Comfort Kit: Essential Items for Managing Flares
Maintaining Friendships When You’re the “Unreliable” One
One of the things I've found hard since I've had fibro is the guilt of being the friend who cancels plans at the last minute, who can't commit to things weeks in advance, who says "maybe" when everyone else is saying "yes absolutely." I don't think that this is just an issue for people with … Continue reading Maintaining Friendships When You’re the “Unreliable” One
Optimal Sleep Strategies for Chronic Pain Relief
Sleep and chronic pain have what I can only describe as a tumultuous relationship. Pain keeps us awake, and poor sleep makes pain worse – it's a frustrating cycle that many of us know all too well. After years of living with fibromyalgia, I've learned that creating the right sleep environment isn't just about comfort; … Continue reading Optimal Sleep Strategies for Chronic Pain Relief
Power Napping with Fibromyalgia: When and How to Rest Effectively
Why Napping Can Be Your Friend Photo by Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels.com Living with fibromyalgia means navigating the unpredictable ebb and flow of fatigue that can hit at any time of day. Some mornings I wake up feeling as though I've run a marathon in my sleep, whilst other days the afternoon brings a … Continue reading Power Napping with Fibromyalgia: When and How to Rest Effectively
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
Slow and Steady Wins: Running a 10K with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain
I’ve posted before that running has become the latest tool in my wellness toolkit. But, living with fibromyalgia and other chronic health conditions means that I have to take running (like most things) very slowly. I plan every run in the context of my week to ensure that I don't do too much and cause … Continue reading Slow and Steady Wins: Running a 10K with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain
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 