July 2012
46 posts
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Addressing Common Searches: Fear of Addiction,...
By now you’ve seen at least one installment of my Common Searches That Lead to Chronic Curve series. It’s hilarious, weird, strange, but sometimes it’s incredibly sad.
I see some of the same disheartening searches over and over again from all over the world and now, it is time to address some of these searches and the people entering these into Google:
“Can you fake...
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“The statement “the only disability in life is a bad attitude” puts the...”
– ABC’s Stella Young (via wyrdwulf)
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Common Searches that Lead to Chronic Curve: Part...
As promised, the peculiar, funny, tragic, satisfying, and terrifying searches that lead people from google to Chronic Curve:
become super smart by looking at a picture
bulging anus tumblr (um…)
do people really fake autoimmune illness (yes, they do)
doctor sex exam tumblr (…)
doctors tallahassee hypochondriacs (?)
doctors willing to prescribe adderall in florida (go away. Drug...
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Quick Update: Out of Town, Orlando Meetup,...
Quick update:
I’ll be out of town until August 2nd and then on the 2nd I have another infusion so I’ll probably be drowsy and out of sorts for a few days after that. The next month is going to be a little crazy, as I’m moving once again and starting classes, so bear with me.
I’m still way behind on emails/messages, so thank you for the patience. If I have not responded...
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Friday Favourites 07/27/2012
1. Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser— the only product that seems to have any real effect on my post-infusion acne that does not irritate or worsen my very sensitive skin. I got mine from Ulta— you get a free gift with purchase of the cleanser.
2. Nike Dri-Fit Women’s Shorts— I live in these. Dri-fit absorbs the sweat from the summer heat, they’re extremely...
Anonymous asked: What is the top three health and beauty related things you'd tell every chronically ill girl to have?
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Progress is Progress
Weight loss, strength training, new habits, and recap of my appointment with Dr. Poland, my new endocrinologist. Under the cut since some have asked me to keep food/weight loss-related content hidden as it can be triggering.
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I mentioned yesterday that I met with a second endocrinologist, Dr. Poland. After going over my history, labs, a physical exam, she feels that there is another...
I’ve been feeling steadily worse over the past two weeks, with more and more joints/muscles getting angrier than they were and crepitis showing up in a few places. Today I pushed myself to take a walk farther than up and down the street (my pathetic attempt to exercise and rebel against the pain) despite my pain level and eventful day, and now the red, burning, facial rash has popped up and...
The Good:
Endocrinologist (who we’ll call Dr. Poland) round two was extremely successful. I couldn’t be more satisfied with today’s appointment and will write about it later.
Just heard back from my second scholarship and I will not be losing that one either!
Lost 5lbs :)
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Anonymous asked: As a young woman struggling (and sometimes failing) with juggling school, work and RA, your site is a place of immense relief. Thank you so much for all you do. You make me feel less alone when I am surrounded by clueless healthy people that make me feel worse about my situation. They will never understand chronic pain, but you always make me feel better!
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Agony-- Not All Pain is Gain
I ran a few errands with family yesterday and left my house for the first time in over a week and a half. Things were okay until the pain in my LUQ/chest had me doubled over and we left the store ASAP. Was down for the rest of the night, lost a noticeably large amount of hair, and slept for a whopping fourteen hours (mindboggling since I have hardly been sleeping at all for weeks?). Woke up today...
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Anonymous asked: Hi, I've been on prednisolone for a while now and among all the ridiculous side effects I've gained a lot of weight- mainly on my face! It's really damaged my self esteem and I can feel myself getting more down each day. Does anyone else have this problem? I can't exercise much because of the RA in my ankles and my diet's really good. Thanks in advance if anyone can help!
Anonymous asked: Do you have a caringbridge site?
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Friday Favourites 07/20/2012
1. Black and Decker JE2200B Fruit and Vegetable Juicer. Affordable, yet still powerful enough to juice fruits and vegetables down to the last drop.
2. Kale! he benefits of this veggie are incredible: high in iron, Vitamin K, C, Am full of antioxidants, and most important for my chronically awesome readers here: kale is an excellent anti-inflammatory food. Click the link to learn more.
3. CVS...
Things That are Good:
Not losing my scholarships! Cue tears of joy! No, really.
Apartment complex called with good news. Wood floors, switching to the largest bedroom, moving my move-in date forward to accommodate my inability to drive seven hours/move myself. I don’t know of many complexes around Tallahassee that would be so kind as to go out of their way to accommodate one disabled student, so that’s...
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Download Your Free Chronic Illness Health...
A while back I wrote about a tool I used called the Health Information Sheet. It’s a word document that I created that includes every aspect of my medical care. I am offering a free, downloadable word document and/or PDF version of my Health Information Sheet template. It’s quick, easy, and will save you trouble the next time you’re off to see a specialist.
How to use the HIS:
...
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faelostielthefangirl asked: I swear I didn't mean anything against you or anyone with pain problems, my mom just works in the ER and she comes home telling me about all sorts of crazy stuff, and I guess I didn't read the post too carefully. I didn't mean to come off as ignorant or biased! I think I just skimmed it and tried to have an input or something! Please, I honestly didn't mean anything like...
Making kale chips, juicing, and getting some long...
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Update
I haven’t been sleeping regularly. Pain in my ribs, sternum/clavicle, shoulder, and that weird recurring splenic-type pain has kept me from getting more than an hour of sleep at a time. My arm and facial rashes seemed to be improving, but in the past few days they have both flared up again, along with fevers back over 102, sweats, chills, acute muscle aches, twitches, mouth ulcers, sore...
I accomplished absolutely none of the site maintenance I meant to get done today. Why? Because the pain in my chest decided to reach an entirely new level of suck around 3am and I didn’t get any sleep until after 9 this morning.
Still feeling absolutely miserable, so site maintenance warning extended until further notice. Answering more q’s in the mean time.
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Anonymous asked: When did you first know you had RA and what was the first sign?
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Anonymous asked: I bought that seche vite hardener you posted about and I LOVE it, thank you so much! What nail polish colors do you like to wear and what are your favorite brands for your peely nails like mine?
Once again attempting some site maintenance...
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Chronic Illness Problems 07/13/2012
That moment when, after doing way too much, your lack of spoons hits you all at once and you literally cannot move.
When you wake up at 4am and realize you have been dreaming about being in too much pain to sleep.
People will always ask you why you are wearing a sweater in 90 degree weather. And when you explain, they will come up with a retort along the lines of “but you’re SO...
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Green Good Morning Juice
(actual photo of this morning’s juice)
2-3 fresh kale leaves (don’t use the bagged leaves. They are cheaper, but it takes a LOT more to get the same amount of juice)
3 green apples
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Between 1/3 and 1/2 a bag of baby spinach leaves. Grocery stores usually have sales of salad mix going on, so buying the bagged spinach on sale (BOGO or marked down...
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Doctor Disclosure: The Next Step After a Terrible...
Seeing a doctor for the first time can be extremely stressful, especially for health veterans that know what to expect and what makes a good doctor good, but have already been through traumatic experiences with health care workers. It’s stressful enough to find Dr. Right in the first place and prepare for your first visit,
but what happens when your first visit ends up being a visit to Dr....
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“Most people with chronic pain are never ‘cured’ [of their pain], and that’s a...”
– Beverly Thorn, PhD, of the University of Alabama (via butyoudontlooksick)
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mynameiskatee asked: You posted on my tumblr a couple of weeks ago after reading my post about possibly being diagnosed with RA. I've just had a read through your blog and your story and it made me feel like I'm not alone. What you are doing is outstanding. And in a non weird way its nice to know that I'm not the only one of this age who has been diagnosed with it. Your blog was a great comfort to me....
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Anonymous asked: what is your biggest pet peeves?
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It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want To: Part II
So right as I decided no more pity party, got myself together, I got a big packet from the Mayo Clinic as I was walking out the door.
I had some genetic testing done back in January during my first visit to MC, but because I had such issues with the doctors and they would not return any of my calls or messages, I never received my results. I also hoped that because no one would return my messages...
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So now that my pity party is over and I am no longer panicking over failing a course for the very first time,
I’m off to buy a juicer (yep, round 2. Send me your best recipes/tips!), take advantage of coupons and a sale at Ulta, and schedule a facial and an appointment with my hair stylist. And then I’m going to cook a really great meal, bake something fun, and not worry about...
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It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want to.
Most of us expend an extraordinary amount of effort in order to stay focused, distracted, positive, and productive in the face of constant suffering. It’s not easy work. It takes time, energy, and often we use up our emotional reserves.
And when that tank of emotional energy hits empty, we crack and a bad day grabs us and kicks our ass. So when I’m hormonal, haven’t slept...
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Chronic Illness Problems 07/07/2012
Screaming and yelling at me to do something when I’m telling you that I am physically incapable will not make my body work for you, just saying. What your yelling will do, however, is agitate me, cause me stress, and make me feel worse about not being physically well.
Guilt tripping someone for circumstances out of their control is generally not a great way to approach someone...
updated the blog anniversary post
to include a quick thank you shout out to: Dr. Cranquis, Lupinelady, Project3x5, ConqueringCrohns, Disabledtalk, Chronicallyscrewed, Whatthejules, Missgingerlee, Supermodelrevealed, and Livingwithendo.
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Anonymous asked: What do you use to keep your nails from splitting or peeling? Mine are so bad since starting MTX and becoming vitamin deficient. Any advice?
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“Adversity builds character, after all. And nothing is as adverse as living your...”
– Robert Brockway
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REPOST: Looking for any followers/readers who have...
Please send me a message if you’d be willing to help me out or are interested in learning what it involves.
It wouldn’t be time consuming, difficult, and I need as many people to help me out as possible :)
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Still looking for more followers/readers. If this...
and/or made a significant impact on you/your life, I’d love if you’d participate in a small, simple project I’m working on. Send me a message if you’re interested and would like to pay the help forward :)
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Looking for any followers/readers who have been in...
If you have been helped in any way by me or the content you’ve found here on Chronic Curve and would like to pay it forward (or are just interested), pleaaase send me a quick message and let me know.
Long time followers, it would be very much appreciated :)
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Anonymous asked: Are you posting more music that keeps you calm? I thought that was a great idea xox
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onewordthenanother asked: I have college five days a week and the other week I had a good pain day, best I've felt in a few months and though my attendance is about 60% I took the day off because it's so rare for me to feel so good. I feel guilty for taking the day off and I was just wondering if you've ever done anything like that before?
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chronicallyvegan asked: Hello, new follower here! I suffer from a slipped disk and three messed up vertebrae, depression, anxiety, OCD, some disordered eating, endometriosis, a weak immune system, and HSV-1, and am looking into a possible diagnosis of fibromyalgia. I'm excited to see your posts on my dash everyday!
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Ordering more bracelets, question for followers
What do you think,
should they say CURE AUTOIMMUNE ARTHRITIS or CURE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS? I feel like AA is more inclusive of both myself (Stills Disease vs. RA) and my readers.
You have 20 minutes to give your input, go!
