Heat is definitely one of my migraine triggers. These excessively hot days are not cool- literally. It has been 30-37C, not counting the humidity, here which as a Canadian is hot. That would be 86F to 98.6 for my American friends which may or may not be hot for them. But I think we can... Continue Reading →
The weirdest thing that happened to me with chronic vertigo is it made me insanely sleepy. I assume because it is draining for the brain to focus that hard through all that dizziness and vertigo. On bad days I could barely move and on good days it was hard to focus on anything. For a... Continue Reading →
It seems like stress is a constant factor in our existence that we cannot banish. It is embedded within the existence of chronic illness and pain. And as a consequence of chronic pain and illness on our lives as well. And those consequences in our lives we have to live with; dealing with doctors, employers,... Continue Reading →
The practice of self-compassion can help us avoid the trappings of self-limiting or destructive thought processes, like the critical inner voice, that often diminish our motivation or initiative. Neff’s findings show that self-compassion can reduce anxiety and actually help us make real changes in our lives. Neff’s study found “Using a correlational design, the study found that self-compassion had a significant... Continue Reading →
Ennui A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement. (Google) There is this state that comes after a setback when you have yet to quite adjust to things - this stagnant, listless, lethargic state I get in. One of ennui. I find myself here. Trying to move forward but... Continue Reading →
When we’re struggling with illness our self-esteem and self-worth can plummet. We may see ourselves as stagnant, irritable, unlovable and stuck. Research shows that maintaining positive feelings about ourselves during illness flares can improve both physical and mental well-being. Achieving this can be a struggle. Kristin Neff is a leading researcher on self-compassion according to Psychology Today. Neff has... Continue Reading →
I used to have this little paper on my wall at work showing some disability statistics so that people would understand the importance of getting insurance on their banking products, or outside insurance to cover things, if something should happen- those stats reflecting the rate of disability per age group (long and short). I posted... Continue Reading →
My neurologist is pretty good. I have had some crappy ones and some great ones and this one knows his stuff. Migraine Disease We went over my migraines which are responding well to Topamax at the dosage I am on. I am still chronic but not daily and not as intense as they could be.... Continue Reading →
There is a huge problem with diagnosis with comorbid conditions. As in all this overlap of symptoms. I really need to find answers but answers are incredibly hard to find now. I wonder if it isn't anything New at all bur rather something that has been ignored for too long. I have: Chronic migraine Chronic... Continue Reading →
I have always had a little heat intolerance when it came to chronic illnesses. Mostly my migraine disease. Just made it worse. And then I couldn't sleep which made it worse the next day. Anyway, now I definitely have issues with heat. Now with the hot summer I am noticing the heat intolerance is making... Continue Reading →
I bought myself a nice car. Used. But shiny and new to me. A 2013 Kia Soul. But with the drop foot on my dominate let I soon realized I needed to fit it with a Left Foot Accelerator. You can get hand accelerators as well, but my right hand is also losing dexterity- so... Continue Reading →
Since I was young I have had an Invisible Illness(es). This is a distinct experience with distinct problems. I have invisible disabilities: Chronic Migraines Fibromyalgia Chronic vertigo (Rides the line of an invisible disability for sure as I will mention but certainly it can't be Seen) That cause the most problems for me for most... Continue Reading →
Chronically Nikki 