In my life with chronic illness, there are things I struggle with besides the physical symptoms. One of those things is speaking up for myself. The hardest part of all? Speaking up when I need help. Or admitting that I’m unable to do something because of my conditions, which then…
We’re sliding into October, which means I’m pulling out my favorite cardigans, dusting off my knee-high boots, and buying fall-scented (and flavored!) everything. But when you live with a chronic illness, it can also mean gearing up for a worsening of your symptoms. It’s a phenomenon in the chronic illness…
Warmer weather and summer are here, bringing vacations, day trips, and other fun adventures with them. Mike and I are big fans of taking day trips on the weekends. It gives us a chance to explore somewhere new in New York City or within a reasonable traveling distance outside of…
April is a memorable month for me. And not just because I love spring and fresh flower blossoms and a world thawing from winter. The month also marks an important anniversary for me. Can you guess it from this post’s title? It’s when I received my POTS diagnosis and put…
Hi, friends! Today I want to talk about how to prepare for a doctor’s appointment, especially if it’s the first visit with a new doctor. Going to a new doctor can cause anxiety for some (like me!). Whether you’ve waited a long time for your appointment, or you’re worried about…
If you put the words “running” and “POTS” together, it looks and sounds a bit contradictory. They are two words that don’t seem to go together, given what POTS is and the taxing nature of running. But running with POTS, at least in my experience, doesn’t have to be impossible…
It’s the holiday season! This really is my favorite time of the year. I hate winter and the cold, but I love the magic of the season and all the fun holiday-themed activities. But this time of year also means that we attend or host gatherings. And sometimes, all these…
Self-monitoring blood pressure and heart rate is an important factor in monitoring multiple aspects of your health. It’s even more important if you have a chronic illness that affects either of these values or if you already have high or low blood pressure. Even training athletes can benefit from self-monitoring…
Bad days are bound to happen with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and other chronic illnesses, no matter where you are in treatment. It’s hard to accept bad days when you’re amid a slew of them. It’s even harder, in my experience, to get through bad days after a long…