If you’re wondering whether I enjoy switching biologics and weight-loss meds like Pokémon cards, the answer is no. No, I do not. But here we are again, standing at the crossroads of “this worked until it absolutely didn’t” and “please let this be the combo that doesn’t ruin my life.” This ongoing cycle feels a…
Tag: fibromyalgia
When Meds Fight Back: The Last 24 Hours on Cymbalta & Flexeril
If you’ve been following along with my health journey, you know that starting new medications is always a little bit of a gamble—especially when you’re already juggling multiple chronic conditions. I do my best to stay informed, cautious, and open-minded… but sometimes, your body will tell you loud and clear: “Nope, this ain’t it.” That…
Navigating New Medications: A Chronic Illness Journey
If you’ve been following my health journey for a while, you know my body likes to keep things… interesting. Between fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, and the grab bag of autoimmune disorders I’ve got going on, I’ve become something of an unwilling expert in meds, symptoms, and side effects. Still, every new medication feels like stepping into…
When Pain Gets Weird: Living with Fibromyalgia Beyond the Obvious
Fibromyalgia. That word alone can make a chronic illness warrior sigh in exhaustion, pain, or both. When people hear the term, they often think “muscle pain” and maybe “tired all the time” — but friend, that’s just the beginning. This condition is like the trickster of chronic illnesses, showing up in ways that are downright…
Skin Sensitivity and Fibromyalgia: Living with Allodynia
If you’ve ever winced in pain just from the feeling of a soft blanket brushing your skin, you’re not alone — and you’re not imagining things. This is a very real and often misunderstood symptom of Fibromyalgia called Allodynia. Allodynia can make everyday sensations, such as a light touch or the pressure from clothing, feel agonizingly painful, leading…
How the pages have turned: Rheumy Update: Gaslighting Special!
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……
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…
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…
