Challenges Archives — The Invisible F

Challenges Moods

Resigned to pain

I don’t usually complain about pain. I’ve gotten used to living with it. If you live with chronic pain, I’m sure you know what I…

Challenges

Where do we go from here?

potofcallaloo April 2, 2023 1 Comment blogging chronic fatigue chronic illness community chronic pain encouragement fibromyalgia fibromyalgia blogger fibromyalgia community fibromyalgia diagnosis

Hello there old friend. After what feels like an unintended hiatus, I’m back. Sort of. Over the past few years I’ve struggled with whether to…

Challenges Meds & Remedies Moods

Making the most of bittersweet holidays – My top 7 Christmas (holiday) posts

potofcallaloo December 21, 2022 No Comments christmas chronic pain and depression over christmas coping with chronic pain over christmas depression and christmas fibromyalgia and christmas holidays and mental health Making the most of Christmas mental health and christmas pain and depression

*Originally published on 15 December 2021* HOW is it even Christmas already? Don’t bother answering that. You know how I feel about the holidays. Bittersweet…

Challenges Dr Visits

About BRAVO 96-hour PH monitoring tests

potofcallaloo September 11, 2022 No Comments BRAVO 96-hour PH monitoring test chronic illness chroniclife digestive issues fibromyalgia

For the second time in six months I’ve undergone another BRAVO 96-hour PH monitoring test, whilst investigating my chest pains and digestive problems.

Challenges Dr Visits

The chronic life….

potofcallaloo August 16, 2022 No Comments bacterial infection bacterial overgrowth chronic illness chronic life fibrom gut health infection oesophageal dysmotility SIBO

The chronic illness life is the gift that just keeps on giving. And giving. And givvvvvvingggggg….

Challenges

I’ve been lonely all my life – Mental Health Awareness Week 2022

potofcallaloo May 10, 2022 No Comments loneliness lonely Mental health mental health awareness Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 MHAW22

For most of my life I’ve felt alone and lonely. I never realised this was a thing, it’s just how I’ve always felt and I…

Challenges

The road to diagnosing my chest pains and digestive issues

potofcallaloo March 31, 2022 2 Comments acid reflux barium swallow BRAVO ph monitoring test breath tests chest pain digestive issues endoscopy fibromyalgia and chest pain fibromyalgia and digestive problems fibromyalgia and stomach pain gastritis pain gastroscopy gut problems manometry stomach bacteria stomach probems

After years of being suffering with relentless chest pains and other digestive symptoms that have largely gone undiagnosed, I’m finally closing in on an answer.…

Borderline personality disorder C-PTSD Challenges Depression Mental health

Why do we stay?

potofcallaloo February 16, 2022 No Comments Depression how to support someone who is suicidal Mental health mental health support suicide awareness suicide awareness training suicide prevention you are loved

I wish there was an easy answer to this. For those of us who struggle, who want to leave, who don’t feel like we belong.

Challenges

The season is changing so I’m flaring, send help!

potofcallaloo October 29, 2021 No Comments change in season fibromyalgia chronic pain compassion coping with fibromyalgia coping with fibromyalgia pain fatigue fibromyalgia fibromyalgia and fatigue fibromyalgia pain fibromyalgia painkillers pain self-love stabbing pain throbbing pain

As the autumn air ushers out the summer sun I, like many of my friends around the world living with fibromyalgia reel from a flare…

Challenges

A night in the life of… an insomniac living with fibromyalgia

potofcallaloo October 4, 2021 2 Comments anxiety chest pain chronic health problems chronic pain fibromyalgia fibromyalgia and insomnia fibromyalgia and sleep fibromyalgia symptoms insomnia lack of sleep Mental health migraines sleep problems

Monday 4 October 2021, 1.27am Luckily for me I don’t have work later today, because it is 1.27am and I am wide awake. I am…