Numbness on the outside of my right leg. That was the starting point for my entire Small Fiber Autonomic Neuropathy journey. It’s a long one. Hold onto your hats and cozy up with a cup of tea. Here we go: I had recently come back to the United States after working overseas for a few … Continue reading I’m just a girl – Diagnosing part 5 (Small Fiber Autonomic Neuropathy)
Skimming pills
Most chronic illness and pain sufferers take medications. We require synthetic and natural interventions to live our lives. Certain meds make things significantly better, others keep us at maintenance levels, and some have the very heavy burden of keeping us alive. Because of this dependency, our relationships with medical providers and pharmacists are of the … Continue reading Skimming pills
Seeking sameness
A while ago, I met a man who wanted to date a female version of himself. His complaints about potential matches usually revolved around their way of speaking, dietary choices, hobbies, opinions, romantic needs, taste in media, etc. Basically, he was dissatisfied with each person because they had a personality of their own. He would … Continue reading Seeking sameness
All over again
There isn’t much I could write about the general moving experience that hasn’t already been said. Most of us will move dwellings at lease once in our lives. Everyone knows it’s a hassle. I… well it’s hard to keep count… I have moved over 30 times. I’ve moved countries, states, cities, towns, villages, houses, apartments, … Continue reading All over again
Welcome to the bumpiest road
I’m not one of the lifers. My chronic conditions took over less than a decade ago. While I had experienced some symptoms earlier, my overwhelming and life-altering issues only developed in my late twenties. Of course, any amount of time with severe pain and symptoms feels like an eternity. Looking back to days of physical … Continue reading Welcome to the bumpiest road
It’s only your life in their hands
I get one of my medications from another country. After years of trying every possible combination of drugs to ease my stomach symptoms and increase my appetite, my gastroenterologist told me about one of the most effective medications for my condition. However, it was/is banned in the United States. Desperate and willing to incur the … Continue reading It’s only your life in their hands
Is it a secret?
I’ve written about the weight of sharing one’s chronic medical conditions for people in the public eye. I’ve also touched on explaining illness in all types of relationships. How does that look? What is your responsibility to share the issues and symptoms that you face? How much and how loud do you go? Who do you … Continue reading Is it a secret?
Emotional destruction
You know the pain. The mental and emotional annihilation. When your stomach drops and your heart tightens. It happens to everyone. Multiple times. Throughout your life, that feeling will waver and heighten over and over again. It will occur in friendships, romances, with peers, in the workplace, around strangers, and every other type of setting … Continue reading Emotional destruction
What’s the alternative?
I’ve lost count of the number of prescription medications that I have tried. At last count, the number was creeping into the upper 50s. Yep. From the time of my first, body-destroying migraine until today, I have tried over fifty separate pharmaceutical drugs. I’m not counting the intravenous or in-hospital abortive meds. Just the pills, … Continue reading What’s the alternative?
Night times
A troll lives in my bedroom. Sometimes, most times, at night times, I feel him eating my feet. He’s a big ‘ole troll. With a mouth as wide as it is deep. Having stones for teeth, their jagged and cragged bottoms dispel any illusions that the smooth fronts might create. These teeth, they don’t just … Continue reading Night times
Always Bent Sometimes Broken 