Tag: invisible illness

September is Pain Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of chronic pain and common management practices. It's also a time for those of us who live with it to illustrate what life is like...

I don't really remember a day of my childhood where I felt “good”. Of course, at the time, I had no frame of reference for what “good” was supposed to feel like. I didn't...

In her lead role in A Star Is Born, Lady Gaga brings Ally to life on the screen for the fourth remake of the iconic story. Much of Ally's story centers on the fact that...

My journey with chronic illness has spanned over half my life. As a young teen, I received diagnoses for multiple mental health issues, including Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), major depression and anxiety. To this...

I have dealt with pain for most of my life—migraines and knee pain in high school, back and shoulder pain that has worsened as I’ve gotten older, and on and on. I now deal...

Having lived with varying levels of chronic pain for over six years now, I often joke that I could write a book. The frustrations that come with an invisible illness don’t come with...

It’s hard to believe that I’ve had a stoma for nearly 3 years now. It doesn’t feel like that long at all. Since my first surgery, my health has gone down the toilet, a...

In 2013, I was involved in a car accident that changed my life. Although the damage to my car was surprisingly minor, that 10 seconds would change my life forever.  Prior to the accident, I...

“Teacher, you’re walking like a tipsy woman. Why are you swaying?” “Are you a grandma? Why do you climb the stairs like that?” (Then, copies my posture). “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” (After jerking and accidentally...

My chronic pain started as a teenager. I’m 53 now. Mostly, I suffer from back pain, rib pain, joint pain, migraines, and facial pain. Ten years ago, my doctor told me my facial pain was...

If you or a loved one has been recently diagnosed or has lived with Crohn's disease for a while now, you know how life-changing the diagnosis can be. Living a pain-free life while managing...

Often misdiagnosed and misunderstood, fibromyalgia is a common condition. People with this condition experience widespread muscle and joint pain as well as intense fatigue. But just what is fibromyalgia? Anyone can develop this chronic condition. It...

For many of us, having a morning routine is invaluable. Not only does it help us set the tone for a productive day but it also grounds us and helps us manage our anxiety...

Millions of Americans talk to their doctors every day about pain. Fortunately, many of these patients will find a solution to their problems. However, it’s not always possible to pinpoint the cause of chronic...

Are you grateful for your life?  Are you grateful for the things you've been given? Does that include your chronic pain, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia? What about your other invisible illnesses? I am. This...

Many people suffer from muscle and body pain, stiffness and memory problems that are too often misdiagnosed or ignored.  Many have had difficulty managing their daily lives around this type of pain and difficulty...

National Check Your Meds Day is here once again (October 21), promoting the importance of reviewing our current prescription regimens. Are we taking the right medicines? Are we taking the proper doses? Are we...

The number of invisible illnesses that millions fight around the world is staggering. The suicide disease, as trigeminal neuralgia is commonly known, is one of those illnesses. I'm one of the approximately 12 per...

The holidays are meant to be enjoyed by all of us. If you’re someone who is living with chronic pain, you’re likely worried about feeling left out of seasonal group activities. But worry not:...

Many thanks to our guest writer Pamela Jessen for sharing her powerful testimony below on what it's like living with an invisible illness. When you're living with an invisible illness, you can look perfectly fine...