Autoimmune Disease

Living with an autoimmune condition is complex, involving fluctuating and unpredictable symptoms, as well as adjusting various parts of your life to accommodate your health needs—or even getting a proper diagnosis and treatment.

What's the most challenging part about your condition?

📖 Want to read more on what Mighties have shared? Check out this story here: What Others Often Don't Understand About Autoimmune Diseases

#AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #MentalHealth #CheckInWithMe #Disability #RareDisease #ChronicFatigue #Migraine #Insomnia #Fibromyalgia #HashimotosThyroiditis #GravesDisease #RheumatoidArthritis #Lupus #MultipleSclerosis #Type1Diabetes #Psoriasis #SjogrensSyndrome

For those who may not know what it's like to live with a complex neurological condition like CFS/ME, it's a common misconception that people with the condition are simply "tired" or only experience fatigue. In reality, CFS/ME can affect nearly every part of a person's life and often comes with a wide range of symptoms.

What symptoms do you experience alongside chronic fatigue? What does a typical day with CFS/ME look like for you? What are some of the biggest challenges you face while managing the condition? Are there any misconceptions you wish more people understood?

#ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #COVID19 #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #PostTraumaticStressDisorder #AutoimmuneDisease #Spoonie #Fibromyalgia #IrritableBowelSyndromeIBS #Migraine #Depression

Having an autoimmune condition can affect your life in many ways due to the unpredictability and fluctuations of symptoms, changes in energy levels, and impacts on your overall health and productivity.

What lifestyle changes have you made because of your health? Why were these changes important to you? How did making them make you feel?

#AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #MentalHealth #CheckInWithMe #Disability #RareDisease #ChronicFatigue #Migraine #Insomnia #Fibromyalgia #HashimotosThyroiditis #GravesDisease #RheumatoidArthritis #Lupus #MultipleSclerosis #Type1Diabetes #Psoriasis #SjogrensSyndrome

Living with a chronic illness like CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) looks different for everyone. Symptoms can vary and fluctuate in severity throughout the day, not just from one day to the next.

How would you describe your fatigue? Does it follow a pattern you’ve come to recognize, or does it feel more random and unpredictable?

Share your experience with us in the comments below!

#ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #COVID19 #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #PostTraumaticStressDisorder #AutoimmuneDisease #Spoonie #Fibromyalgia #IrritableBowelSyndromeIBS #Migraine #Depression #RaynaudsPhenomenon

Sometimes we show the picture we paint for the world to see

A trickling laugh
Beaming eyes
And a seemingly permanent smile

Even though you were crying in the docs office 10 minutes prior

Heck, your still embarrassed you cried in the doctors office, Because you promised yourself you would never do that .

But here you are
Sitting on a creaky hospital chair
Waiting to be called back for an Xray
Feeling .. As weak as the skeletal structure that holds a body that feels unfit for the job it was made to do.

But still you ask the awesome lady at the front desk how her day has been

Compliment the lady with the cute shirt next to you.

Still you smile when the radiology tech calls your name , and respond to “ how are you doing “ with
“ I’m alright “

Even when you feel far from it

Hug a friend you see in the hallway

Because life is hard for all of us .

And one of the main things life has taught me is

Sometimes it’s more important to help create joy

Than share your pain #ChronicIllness #RareDisease #AutoimmuneDisease #CommonVariableImmuneDeficiency #MastCellActivationDisorder #MentalHealth #Migraine #ChronicPain #MixedConnectiveTissueDiseaseMCTD

Something illness related I had to learn this year was to swallow my pride and use mobility aids .

I use to RELISH in the fact my illness was invisible.

I flat out lied about it to friends and family for YEARS and when the news of my illness was ( for lack of a better word ) “leaked . I had immense pride when people thought I was “ faking it “

But as I’ve gotten sicker .
It’s gotten impossible to hide .

For 4 years I’ve had to use supplimental oxygen.
Since Oct when I’m out and about I’ve been reliant on a walker .

And it’s so , emotionally difficult.

It got to the point where I realized I walked looking down . I didn’t check out the cute guy , because “ who the heck would be checking out the girl
Who looks like she is dying “

And then when you add the pity stares , and the completely Inappropriate comments

( like can we make it a rule of thumb to not ask strangers their life expectancy , or tell them how to fix their health )

Sometimes I’ve just wanted to crawl in a hole .

But when I realized the walker was going to be a longer term thing than expected. I made a goal to keep my head high every time I walk it with it ,

When kid give me questioning looks , I wave hi to them and give them the biggest smile I can.

And when I get comments from others talking about themselves with their kid / friend / spouse with oxygen or mobility aids .

And or comments online about how seeing me out and about helped someone feel confident leaving their house with their oxygen or walker .

It means everything. .

I’ll admit it , I’m vain .
I love hair , I love fashion I love makeup . ( I actually really enjoy getting ready )

I love that I’m 6”1 with giant lips and big green cat eyes .

And I a lot of days I deeply struggle with what illness has done to my appearance

But I’m so grateful that illness has taught me that I’m so much more than what’s on the outside ❤️

Through this year of ups and downs , what’s something rare disease / chronic illness has taught you ? #RareDisease #CVID #Epilepsy #MCAS #AutoimmuneDisease #Spoonie .

It’s no secret that stress affects more than our mood. It can take a toll on our mental and physical health as well. You could be embodying stress without even realizing it! If you’re dealing with digestive issues, head pain, fatigue, panic attacks, or high blood pressure that is out of the ordinary for you, and you’ve ruled out all other possible causes, you may be experiencing physical manifestations of stress — even if you’re not sure what’s stressing you out in the first place.

Take a minute to check in with yourself and find where you’re holding tension in your body. Can you identify what’s causing that tension? What can you do to try to relieve some of that stress over the next couple of days?

❤️ P.S. If you need a few ideas to get started, check out this Mighty story that’s full of quick and easy ways to ground yourself when you’re especially stressed or anxious: 15 Grounding Exercises to Manage Stress From Anxiety or Trauma

#MightyMinute #CheckInWithMe #selfcare #PostTraumaticStressDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Anxiety #IrritableBowelSyndromeIBS #Migraine #MentalHealth #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #RareDisease #Disability #Cancer #Caregiving #AutoimmuneDisease