Another Day, Another Doctor…(And this time, it’s a two-part rollercoaster.) We had high hopes for this new rheumatologist. Really, we did. I made the switch not because my previous rheumy wasn’t doing her job—she’s amazing—but because I was trying to make life just a bit easier by finding someone local. Closer drive, easier appointments, same quality of care……
Category: Autoimmune Journey
Understanding Fibromyalgia: More Than Just Pain
When Your Muscles Twitch and Your Body Won’t Listen: The Hidden Layers of Fibromyalgia I used to think fibromyalgia was “just” chronic widespread pain and fatigue. I hate that I even put the word just in there — because even that would be a lot to carry. But as I’ve learned firsthand, this diagnosis brings with it…
Methotrexate: The Low-Dose Chemo for Autoimmune Diseases
Understanding Methotrexate: Yes, It’s Low-Dose Chemo — and That Matters When you hear the word chemotherapy, what comes to mind? For most people, it’s cancer treatment — a difficult, often overwhelming process involving high doses of medication, hair loss, nausea, and fatigue. But what many don’t realize is that chemotherapy drugs aren’t used only for cancer. One medication…
Supporting Loved Ones with Chronic Illness: A Guide
How to Support a Loved One with Chronic Illness (Without Losing Your Mind or Theirs)Because casseroles are nice, but compassion is better Hey there, soul tribe! Let’s talk about something near and dear to many of our spoons — chronic illness and chronic pain. Whether your bestie has fibro, your partner is navigating an autoimmune rollercoaster, or…
Navigating Perimenopause with Prednisone and Zepbound
When Prednisone, Zepbound & Perimenopause Walk Into a Bar… Let’s talk about what it’s like when your body decides to throw a full-blown hormonal tantrum, complete with party favors like perimenopause, a fiery autoimmune flare, and the not-so-fabulous trio: Prednisone, Zepbound, and Tremfya. Sprinkle in your monthly cycle for extra flair, and you’ve basically got…
New Rheumatologist & Diagnosis: What I Learned
Health Update: Rheumy Edition So, we met the new Rheumatologist and… drumroll please… we actually really liked him! He was thorough, kind, and didn’t look at me like I had three heads when I rattled off my list of issues. In fact, he took the time to listen carefully to each concern, nodding along and…
Surviving Prednisone: Embracing Bloating and Emotional Swings
Devil’s Tic-Tac with a Side of Bloat Let me preface this by saying: I am grateful for medicine. Truly. If it weren’t for these tiny miracle pills, I’d probably still be in a pain fog, trying to convince myself that crawling to the bathroom is “just part of the journey.” But hot damn, y’all—nobody warned…
Colostrum & Collagen: Superfoods for Autoimmune Health
“Moo-Free Magic”: Why Colostrum & Collagen Might Be Your Autoimmune BFFs Let’s be real—when you’re living with an autoimmune condition like Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), your body is doing the absolute most… and not in a good way. You’re battling inflammation, joint pain, fatigue, and let’s not even talk about what’s going on with your gut….
Trial and Error: 5 Years of Medication for Chronic Illness
5 Years of Medication Mayhem — A Chronic Illness UpdateCan you believe it’s been five years of med-hopping, body-battling, and playing pharmaceutical roulette? And three years since Cimzia kicked off its short-lived reign of terror. Time flies when your immune system refuses to chill. 🌀 Cimzia actually started out strong — my skin was like, “Okay, I see you!”…
My Journey to Manage Chronic Pain
Health Update: Sometimes You Just Have to Try Everything Let’s be real—chronic inflammation, mystery flares, and feeling like a balloon version of yourself (shoutout to my Stay Puft Marshmallow Man era) is not it. Over the past couple of years, I’ve done everything in my power to support my body naturally. Strict anti-inflammatory diet? Check….
