What’s Working For Me Right Now (March 2019)

Last March I wrote a post about the medications, supplements, and treatments that were working for me at the time. A year later, I feel much more knowledgeable about what living with these illnesses look like for me and how I want to manage/treat them. Since May 2018, I've moved back home to Southern California, …

Is Two Better Than One?: The MCAS & POTS Connection

I was looking for quotes for this blog post when I came across this one from the movie  Contact, "Why build one when you can build two at twice the price?" Translated to chronic illness terms, I think it could go something like this: Why have one syndrome, when you can have two with twice the …

Chronic Illness College Survival Guide: Drinking

It's back to school time, baby! And usually with more classes, assignments, projects, and seeing your friends again after months apart, comes more drinking, which may not be the best thing for your chronically ill health. (In case you're wondering, yes, I did graduate.  And by looking back at my time in college, I've learned …

Traveling Tips: Santa Fe, NM

After graduating and before moving back to California, I was able to roadtrip down to New Mexico with a friend for 5 days.  I had just recovered from a major crash and flare from graduation weekend before the trip, so I was a bit apprehensive to go.  But I had an amazing time and was …

Medications, Supplements, & Treatments: What’s Working For Me Right Now (March 2018)

I have been having some good luck with medications and treatments lately, so I wanted to share what is working for me right now to hopefully help others find things that work for them. (Please remember that just because people have the same illness, the symptoms and severity is different based on each person.  Health …

Alcohol No More: Life As a Series of Exercises in Self-Discipline

Many of us know the ill effects alcohol has on the body.  It's not great for the liver, weakens your immune system, increases levels of cortisol (the "stress hormone")... the list could go on, but the biggie is that it causes inflammation. Now, for many people this isn't much of a problem (moderation is key).  …

Fill Your Cup

"Show me love, fill my cup the world's not empty it's how you want it to be" -Repeat by Young The Giant "You can't pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first." -Anonymous I've been thinking about the future lately-- graduation, what comes after, etc. Because of my illnesses, I am not going …

Dangerously Teetering On The Mental/Physical Health Seesaw

For about two weeks in the middle of January, I felt like I was in an exclusively underwater race.  I was frantically swimming toward the big goal of another diagnosis at the finish line.  But I also wasn't breathing.  And when I finally came up for air, I realized I was underwater for too long …