spoonie

In his poem “To a Mouse,” Robert Burns wrote, “The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men/Gang aft agley.” Or, as most people are familiar with the now-famous proverb, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

Chronic illness has a tendency to be unpredictable. We try to plan around it — or in spite of it — but flare-ups or the fear of triggering one can ruin our best-laid plans. This can be hard to explain to folks who don’t live with chronic illness or pain. A lot of people who haven’t experienced it themselves have trouble grasping that chronic illness doesn’t just miraculously go away after a given period of time and that just because somebody has a low-symptom day, it doesn’t mean that every day after it will be just as good.

When we asked our migraine community how often they cancel plans with others due to migraine, “Sometimes” was the top answer with 50% of the vote, and “Often” was the second-most popular answer at 35%. “Never” came in last with 5% of votes.

Do these answers reflect your experience with chronic physical or mental illness?

To learn more about what it’s like to try to balance a social life with migraine, listen to episode eight of “Health and (un)Wellness."

🎧 Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/58ztwhFTrmN3y5hoctE0Qq

🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tips-for-being-social-with-mig...

📚 Read the transcript: themighty.com/topic/migraine/mighty-with-migraine-podcast-ti...

#Migraine #Relationships #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #Disability #MentalHealth #RareDisease #Spoonie #Fibromyalgia #Anxiety #Depression

Three things you can expect from the new episode of Health & (un)Wellness:

🗑️ @skyeg talking about feeling like a little piece of garbage

🚫 Canceling plans when you’re chronically ill

🧳 Tips for navigating vacations, trips, and holidays

🎧 Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi/487GXuW

🍎 Listen on Apple: apple.co/3sT6msk

📗 Read the transcript: themighty.com/topic/migraine/mighty-with-migraine-podcast-ti...

#Migraine #DistractMe #Spoonie #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Disability #Fibromyalgia #CheckInWithMe #EDS #POTS #Endometriosis #Headache

There are so many different types of physical therapies depending on your symptoms and/or specific needs. What is right for you may not be right for someone else, and that's OK.

What types have you tried? Share using either the emojis below or with your own experience!

💖 Orthopedic physical therapy
🌸 Neurological physical therapy
🌻 Geriatric physical therapy
☀️ Pediatric physical therapy
✨ Sports physical therapy
💎 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
❤️ Woman's health physical therapy
🐞 Other specialized type (aquatic, vestibular rehabilitation, wound care etc.)
🦋 Unconventional types (dance/movement, functional electrical stimulation (FES), yoga etc.)

⭐ Need more insight and information? Check out this article by Mighty staffer @chronicallymeh here: themighty.com/topic/other/types-physical-therapy

#ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #MentalHealth #Disability #Caregiving #RareDisease #Migraine #Stroke #CardiovascularDisease #AutonomicDysfunction #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #Spoonie #Lupus #Endometriosis #Cancer #Anxiety #PTSD #CheckInWithMe

True story… when I was fresh home from hospital, unwashed, unable to stand due to being chronically thyrotoxic, wearing PJs and a cancer cap to cover my hair loss, a visitor uttered these words to me like they think it’s some sort of compliment 🤦‍♀️

#MakeMeLaugh #DistractMe #Spoonie #ChronicIllness #ChronicFatigue #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #Fibromyalgia #HashimotosThyroiditis #Hyperthyroidism #GravesDisease

My husband caught up with some college friends today… I made it to the sofa 💪

#DistractMe #Meme #MyCondition #ChronicFatigue #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #Fibromyalgia #bedbound #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #Spoonie

#DistractMe #ChronicIllness #ChronicFatigue #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #Fibromyalgia #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #ChronicPain #MyCondition #Meme #Spoonie

Although we have learned more about ulcerative colitis in recent years, many misconceptions and myths about the chronic condition still remain.

Which ones do you encounter most often or wish would be debunked forever?

Share it with us in the comments below. ⬇️

#UlcerativeColitis #CrohnsDisease #InflammatoryBowelDiseaseIBD #CheckInWithMe #ChronicIllness #Spoonie #MentalHealth

This was one of my favourite old walking spots to go before I went through my hyperthyroidism thyrotoxicity ordeal, that for a while I was uncertain if I’d ever see these things again. For several months, the entirety of my everyday view consisted of tracking the sunlight as it cast patterns across my bedroom walls. Those little rays helped to keep me tethered to the outside world and in my mind, I'd take mental walks to these peaceful places I’ve come to love and enjoy.

Finally, I managed one of these walks again for the first time in almost a year. I did give myself Post Exertional Malaise (PEM), but it felt worth it—knowing I could walk a distance that felt impossible even six months ago. I had moments of crying my heart out, especially with a healthcare system that failed to diagnose me correctly. But in walking this personal Everest, I was awed at how easily things could feel magical again.

As I reclaim small parts of me that I thought were lost, I encourage anyone reading this to take what you need to fuel your inner world so that your smile may shine on. The system might fail us, our bodies might betray us, but if all you can do is track the sunlight as it slides across your bedroom and over the shackles of invisible illness… hold up, hold on, and it’s okay if you feel scared 🌿

#ChronicFatigue #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #Fibromyalgia #MyCondition #Hyperthyroidism #HypothyroidismUnderactiveThyroidDisease #Spoonie

Living with a chronic illness can be challenging to manage (as we all know very well), but that doesn’t mean it has to stop us from enjoying and celebrating ourselves and the people around us. This enjoyment can include ceremonies like weddings which, depending on the size and place, can be overstimulating or overwhelming for those who experience low energy and high levels of pain.

What tips do you have for attending or throwing a wedding with chronic illness? What has been most helpful for you in managing your symptoms, communicating with others, and planning for the ceremony?

🎂 P.S. Dont know where to start? Check out these tips from Mighty @itselisajeann here: themighty.com/topic/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/attending-weddi...

#ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #MentalHealth #Disability #Caregiving #RareDisease #Migraine #Stroke #CardiovascularDisease #AutonomicDysfunction #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #Spoonie #Lupus #Endometriosis #Cancer #Anxiety #PTSD #CheckInWithMe