Chronic pain

Course Corrections?

It’s been a while and I apologize for that. I’ve had multiple health issues and personal problems and responsibilities come up. I’ve even had to take a hiatus from one of my contracts due to stress. Things I’m processing: My health and the effect it has on my life and the people around me. The amount of emotional labor I put into my relationships with people and how much of the time I do not get back what I put in. My goals in life and how to accomplish them. I’m finding that the more I think about myself and my needs/wants, the more I realize that I am stupidly over-generous, too kind, too giving and helpful, and there isn’t a single person on this planet who will do for me what I do for others without the relationship being at risk of becoming toxic So. How do I take care of myself as a disabled person who has challenges

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Crazy Busy + Health

Hallo! Thank you for your patience! I am still kicking! Mostly. I’ve had a lot going on. During one of my conventions in July, I caught the nasty flu that was going around and ended up sick in bed for a while after the con. After that, the smoke from the numerous fires going on wiped me out for a long while (I ended up buying some heavy duty air purifiers to help). I started classes again and have also been looking to move into a bigger home. The humans I live with have been causing me a large amount of emotional labor, and my health has flared up several times as well. It’s been a busy (and draining) summer! I have a list of topics to blog about for you, and I’m slowly working my way through them as I have time and energy. From air quality to scheduled date nights, how I feel about being seen as intimidating,

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Blog Challenge: Liebster Award

A fellow blogger, Kim who writes I tripped over a Stone, shared that she was nominated to do this blog challenge, and nominated anyone who wanted to join in. I’ve been staring at spreadsheets and creating newsletters for long enough that my brain needs a break. I even took a nap today, but still tired. Blah! How it works: Thank the blogger who nominated you. Share eleven facts about yourself. Answer the eleven questions the blogger gave you. Nominate eleven bloggers who deserve the award. Create eleven original questions for the nominees to answer. Let them know they have been nominated. Eleven facts about me: I wear the mantle of Crazy Cat Lady with pride, and like most cat people, there are more photos of my furbabies on my phone than anything else. I’m the human to 5 cats. I am a huge geek/nerd. My house is full of collectibles! Mainly comic books, sci-fi, and fantasy. There is a Millenium Flacon

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The Dreaded Pain Scale

One of the things about being a chronic pain patient that I find the most frustrating is being asked: ” On a scale of 1 – 10, what would you rate your pain?” You want me to what now? I *live* in chronic pain. You expect me to categorize it in a convenient little number for the electronic medical record system (EMS)?! As if chronic health conditions were that simple! HA! Another chronic illness blogger who writes I Tripped Over a Stone (check out her blog), suggested that I write a piece about the pain scale and dialogue to use when being asked to rank pain.  She thought my dialogue for working with health professionals about pain was a sound one, so I’m going to share it with you, in the hope that it may help. (Skip to the end if you only want the script) But first! We as patients have to change the way we think and approach

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Crochet

I’ve been watching YouTube videos on how to crochet. I can knit decently, but always wanted to learn to crochet as well. It’s enjoyable to make things and keep my hands busy, and this is something I can do when I do not have much energy. Hobbies are essential, so is learning new skills. I challenge you to learn something new today!

30 Things, Rx

Ah, medications. I’m thankful they exist to help me, and others, to improve our quality of life and be able to function as best we are able. Currently, my AM medications are on the light side, I was kicked off my health insurance for a few months in 2017 and had to cut down to the very minimum that I needed to function. Ranitidine – GERD Progesterone – Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Previously I also took Synthroid for hypothyroidism; I ought to get back on that. It helped with my symptoms. My evening medications consist of Ranitidine – GERD Sertraline aka Zoloft – Depression, PTSD, PMDD, OCD Cetirizine aka Zyrtec – Allergies Azo – IC Hydroxyzine – Anxiety and insomnia

30 Things, Distractions

I had to think about this a bit and came up with this list. My cats Anytime I feel cruddy I go to my cats. Petting and snuggling with them helps me focus on something positive and comforting Video games Video games keep me distracted and entertained My go to movies Alien, Aliens, Pacific Rim, LoTR, and a few others help me be distracted Music Genre depends on my mood, I like metal, some pop, trance/house/etc., classical or soundtracks Audiobooks If I am unable to focus, I will go for audiobooks while I’m laying down and resting