Category: Chronic Illness

Kevin Jonas’ Wife Danielle Jonas Reveals Lyme Disease Diagnosis: ‘They Tried to Tell Me It Was Anxiety’
Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Infectious Diease · Lyme Disease · Men & Womens Health · Tick Borne Illnesses

Kevin Jonas’ Wife Danielle Jonas Reveals Lyme Disease Diagnosis: ‘They Tried to Tell Me It Was Anxiety’

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Kevin Jonas‘ wife Danielle Jonas was experiencing symptoms that her doctor first attributed to anxiety, only to be diagnosed with Lyme disease after undergoing a biopsy.

In a new interview with Parents published on Thursday, Oct. 9, Danielle, 39, opened up about her diagnosis and how it affects her daily life.

She first decided to see a doctor after noticing that her hair was shedding.

“They tried to tell me it was anxiety. Finally, I had a biopsy that showed I actually had Lyme disease,” Danielle told Parents.

Lyme disease is an illness caused by Borrelia bacteria, usually transmitted through the bite of a tick, according to Mayo Clinic. Symptoms vary but can include rash, muscle soreness, fever, fatigue, chronic pain and more.

“I also had eczema on my scalp, which was likely from the inflammation [caused by Lyme disease],” Danielle said. “The hair loss was very traumatic. I got to a point where I wanted to wear a wig.”

Eczema, a form of dermatitis, is a non-contagious skin condition that causes dry, itchy and inflamed skin, per Mayo. The chronic condition can cause irritation but flare-ups can be managed through diet, as well as ointments or creams.

To help with her hair loss, Danielle tried wearing hair extensions. These then irritated her eczema further because of the way they pulled at her scalp.

“I had to go out and do things with Kevin. I just wanted to feel like myself,” she told Parents. The couple has been married since 2009 and shares daughters Alena, 11, and Valentina, 8.

Melinda

Reference:

https://people.com/kevin-jonas-wife-danielle-jonas-reveals-lyme-disease-diagnosis-11827737

12 Ways You Can Help Yourself Manage Chronic Pain
Chronic Illness · Chronic Pain · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Self-Care

12 Ways You Can Help Yourself Manage Chronic Pain

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Chronic pain–defined as ongoing pain that continues for longer than six months–is a common complaint of patients with persistent Lyme disease.

The CDC estimates that 20% of Americans currently live with chronic pain. Estimates range from 10% to 36% of Lyme patients who are diagnosed and treated early are left with chronic symptoms.

For the past 40 years, the medical definition of chronic pain was more narrowly defined, including only those patients with actual or potential tissue damage.

Recently, with the help of researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine, the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) has made a subtle but important change to the medical definition of pain.

The new definition, “An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damages,” is important as it includes the pain caused by an overstimulated nervous system, commonly associated with chronic pain.

This new more inclusive definition, if adopted by insurance providers, could have a positive impact on access to health care for disempowered and neglected populations.

Defining Chronic pain

If you suffer from chronic pain, you have likely been asked to rate your pain on a scale of 1-10.  As much as you may dislike rating your pain, this information helps your medical provider gauge whether you are making progress with the current treatment plan, or not.

Having worked as a physical therapist for years, I found the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) works better than telling someone to simply “rate your pain on a scale of 0-10,” especially with children.

Visual analog scale

 

Because Lyme disease can affect every organ and system of the body, every patient may have a different set of complaints. While neck, joint and muscle pain are very common in early Lyme disease, there are many other types of pain when the disease becomes chronic.

For instance, allodynia is a type of pain that is caused by something that shouldn’t normally cause pain (eg. wind or light touch may feel like sandpaper or a burn.) Menstrual pain, bladder pain, testicular pain, bone pain, and widespread nerve pain are common in chronic Lyme patients.

The “cup theory”

When I explain pain to patients, I use the cup theory. Depending on your age, your brain, and your body, everyone has a different size cup—or a different capacity—for pain. We are each only capable of handling a certain amount of pain. Once your cup is full, you are essentially at a 10 out of 10 on your individual pain scale.

You may have a constant headache filling your cup 1/2 way (or 5:10 on your pain scale), and then your knee starts hurting pushing you up to a 7:10, and then your lower back spasms, and BOOM–your cup is full!

What I’ve found is that if we can help chronic pain patients empty their cup just a little, we can start to make progress. When my daughter was at her worst, I couldn’t get rid of her pain completely. However, if I could help lower her pain even a little bit, she was able to function. Here is some of what I learned along the way.

Self-treatment

For six years, my daughter lived with chronic debilitating pain. Early symptoms included fever, neck stiffness and a migraine that would not subside. Two months later, she developed knee pain and swelling along with back and bone pain. Later, she said soles of her feet felt like she was walking on nails. Periodically, she suffered excruciating abdominal pain and nausea. And the list goes on…

The first year, she was too sick to leave the house, except for doctor and hospital visits. Luckily, as a Physical Therapist (PT), I could provide pain management treatment and modalities at home. Once she began to gain strength, after starting treatment for her infections, she started seeing an outpatient PT, who brought a whole new set of skills to the table. This also relieved me of my dual role as caretaker and healthcare provider—something I don’t recommend.

In the beginning, she was so weak I had to do everything for her. I would wheel her to the bathroom, bring her all her meals, help her get dressed–everything. The treatment I provided was limited to positioning for comfort, passive range of motion, gentle massage, hot/cold, taping/bracing, acupressure and craniosacral therapy. As she got stronger, she learned self-treatment techniques that she continues to use today.

Self-treatment approaches are generally low-cost and low-risk. You can do them on your own schedule in the comfort of your own home. It does require a commitment to changing your daily habits, but they can offer significant improvements in reducing pain and improving your quality of life.

Here are 12 things you can discuss as treatment options with your healthcare provider.

Diet

Most of the immune system originates in the gut. Literally, everything you put into your body is part of the healing process. Or not. You want to support the immune system without feeding inflammation. Fast food, artificial/processed foods, carbs, sugar, gluten, dairy and alcohol are common inflammatory triggers. In my mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) series, I wrote about low histamine diets that help reduce the inflammation associated with MCAS.

Positioning

When you’re in pain, it can be difficult to find a comfortable position. When my daughter was at her worst, she found it difficult to breath when she was lying flat. We added 4-inch wooden blocks under the feet at the head of her bed, and a large wedge pillow to elevate her head. When her back was hurting, it also helped to  put a pillow under her knees.

You can get really creative with pillows. For instance, body pillows or “hug” pillows work well if you are a side sleeper.

While you are sitting, you may want to try out different size pillows or towel rolls for comfort. Putting a pillow on your lap to support your arms or one behind the small of your back may help. As a rule, you want to change positions every 30-60 minutes. This helps prevent pressure sores and muscle stiffness.

Some people find it worth their while to rent a hospital-type bed, where the head and/or feet can be elevated.

Assistive devices

Wheelchairs, walkers, canes, bath/shower chairs, long-handled reachers (sometimes called grabbers) are all good examples of assistive devices. Items like tray tables, lap tables, bath caddies, tote bags or tinted reading glasses can also make life easier.

Other things designed for reducing pain may include ace bandage wraps, shoulder sling, wrist, knee or ankle braces and shoe orthotics. You may also find over-the-counter topical pain relievers or CBD oil to be helpful. There are stronger topical pain relievers available by prescription.

Pacing

When you are sick you must be very conservative with energy expenditure. Modifying or changing your activities so they do not aggravate your symptoms is extremely important. Restricting, reducing, or spacing out your activities can help reduce pain and fatigue.

The key is to know your limits and stay within them. Pacing is similar to the concept of the “Spoon Theory” where you are only given a small supply of spoons to use each day—so use them wisely. When you are sick is not the time to try to push past the pain. In our house, we found sticking to a schedule that we affectionately call “Groundhog Day” helps to keep the pace.

Active range of motion (ROM) is a simple activity that almost anyone can do, whether lying down, sitting or standing. It helps to bring blood flow to the extremities and maintain or increase flexibility. The idea is to move every joint in the body through its full range. One example is to fully spread your fingers open, then fully close your fist. I recommend starting with the neck and working your way down to shoulders, elbows, wrists, torso, hips, knees, then feet.

If you are extremely de-conditioned, getting in/out of the shower and washing your hair may count as your active range of motion for that day. However, some people may be too weak or in too much pain to move at all. For these people, someone else must assist them with moving the extremities. We call this passive range of motion. While motion is important, the main goal is to make the pain better not worse.

Gentle exercise

Activity in any form can help improve mobility which may help reduce pain. Too much (or the wrong) activity can also make things worse. Once you are able, gentle exercise programs like, walking, stretching, yoga, tai chi, Pilates, and pool therapy can be a great benefit. To begin with, I recommend adding light weights (1-3 lb household items like broom handles or cans of soup work fine) to your ROM stretches.

“Sunlight Chair Yoga” is a type of adaptive yoga you may want to look at.

Meditation and mindfulness

Yoga stresses the value of deep breathing. Deep breathing involves the diaphragm, a dome-shaped muscle that forms the floor to the lungs. Such breathing is also essential to meditation and mindfulness.

The key to diaphragmatic breathing is to focus on deep relaxation and making the exhale portion of your breath twice as long as the inhale.

Meditation and mindfulness can help reduce stress and physiological responses to stress, which in turn, can help reduce pain. I suggest starting with something like Jyothi meditation, which involves simply gazing at a candle.

Stress reduction

Creating art, journaling, gardening, reading a good book, even just sitting outdoors and listening to the sounds of nature can help distract from pain. Research has shown that music helps the brain release dopamine our “feel-good” hormone. The important thing is to find something that, gives you hope, brings you joy or something you are grateful for each day.

Hot/cold therapy

For this I recommend getting a “moist” heating pad and ice pack from your local pharmacy and use as directed. Heat can help relax muscle tightness and improve circulation. Cold can reduce inflammation and numb an area of localized pain.

I usually recommend 10-20 min of moist heat for stiffness, and 10-15 min of cold for pain. Certain types of pain may respond better to one than the other, or you may find alternating hot/cold works best. (Note: If you have problems with blood clotting, bleeding or impaired circulation, you should check with your medical provider before using hot/cold.)

Epsom salt

Epsom salt is a combination of magnesium, sulfur and oxygen ions known as magnesium sulfate. Most of the benefits of Epsom salt come from the magnesium, one of the most important minerals in the human body. A magnesium deficiency will create an electrolyte imbalance and can also lead to calcium and/or potassium deficiencies. Among other things, magnesium helps your body produce melatonin and certain neurotransmitters needed for sleep.

I suggest purchasing Epsom salt from your local pharmacy or other reputable supplier to ensure the highest quality and use as directed. Add the salt to a warm bathtub or foot bath. In as little as 15 minutes, it can help relax muscles, improve circulation, loosen joint stiffness, relieve pain and promote calm.

I like to add a few drops of lavender or use a diffuser for additional aroma therapy during bath time. If you don’t have access to a bath or don’t tolerate heat, magnesium can be purchased in gel form and rubbed on your skin.

Getting enough sleep

If you’ve had or have Lyme, you are likely no stranger to insomnia. During the first year of my daughter’s illness, her symptoms would peak after midnight, making it impossible for her to fall asleep until around 6 a.m. Essentially, her days and nights were reversed.

I can tell you from experience, there are a lot of standard techniques for improving sleep hygiene that simply DO NOT work for Lyme patients. So, while you are trying to turn things around, my advice is to sleep when you are tired and nap whenever possible. Even if you can’t sleep, it’s important to lie down. You need at minimum 8 hours of rest every day. Also talk to your doctor about adding a low dose of melatonin.

Other Integrative and Restorative therapies

Modalities to help improve strength, mobility, and flexibility can help to relieve pain temporarily. Over time, improved function may help reduce the underlying cause of the pain. I am a big fan of hands-on treatment by a trained professional.

The following is a partial list of therapies you might consider.:

  • Acupuncture
  • Acupressure
  • Aquatic therapy
  • Biofeedback or neurofeedback
  • Bowen therapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Cognitive behavior therapy
  • Craniosacral therapy
  • Dry needling
  • Feldenkrais method
  • Injections or nerve blocks
  • Kinesiology taping
  • Lymphatic drainage massage
  • Massage therapy
  • Medications (as prescribed by your physician)
  • Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
  • Nutritional counseling
  • Occupational therapy
  • Osteopathic medicine
  • Physical therapy
  • Pilates
  • Postural training
  • Psychotherapy
  • Qi gong
  • Reflexology
  • Reiki
  • Support groups
  • Traction
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
  • Ultrasound therapy
  • Vagus nerve stimulation

Laughter is the best medicine

Last but not least I do believe the key to happiness is laughter. Laughter reduces stress hormones like cortisol and releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain reliever. My simple advice is to avoid things that cause you stress, fear or anger.

Watch comedy or movies with happy endings. Stay connected with someone you can be honest with, one who listens and can make you laugh. Above all else, never give up hope.

LymeSci is written by Lonnie Marcum, a Licensed Physical Therapist and mother of a daughter with Lyme. In 2019-2020, she served on a subcommittee of the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group. Follow her on Twitter: @LonnieRhea  Email her at: lmarcum@lymedisease.org .

Melinda

References:

Dahlhamer J, Lucas J, Zelaya, C, et al. (2016) Prevalence of Chronic Pain and High-Impact Chronic Pain Among Adults — United States. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:1001–1006. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6736a2

Aucott JN, Rebman AW, Crowder LA, Kortte KB. (2013) Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome symptomatology and the impact on life functioning: is there something here? Qual Life Res. 22(1):75-84. doi: 10.1007/s11136-012-0126-6.

Raja, Srinivasa N.a,*; Carr, Daniel B.b; Cohen, Miltonc; Finnerup, Nanna B.d,e; Flor, Hertaf; Gibson, Stepheng; Keefe, Francis J.h; Mogil, Jeffrey S.i; Ringkamp, Matthiasj; Sluka, Kathleen A.k; Song, Xue-Junl; Stevens, Bonniem; Sullivan, Mark D.n; Tutelman, Perri R.o; Ushida, Takahirop; Vader, Kyleq (2020) The revised International Association for the Study of Pain definition of pain: concepts, challenges, and compromises, PAIN 16(1):1976-1982 doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001939

Jesse Ruben’s “Monster” tells the story Lyme patients know all too well
Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Infectious Diease · Lyme Disease · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Tick Borne Illnesses

Jesse Ruben’s “Monster” tells the story Lyme patients know all too well

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Ten years ago, singer-songwriter Jesse Ruben was desperately ill with Lyme disease—wracked with pain, clouded by brain fog, and battling depression. In the midst of all that, he discovered that if he stayed up well past midnight, the fog would lift somewhat.

“So I’d keep myself up till 6, 7, 8 in the morning,” he recalls, “because it was the only time I had a cognitive thought.”

One morning in 2015, during one of those more lucid hours, he sang the beginning of a new song into his cell phone—and promptly forgot about it. Years later, he stumbled upon the audio file and decided to finish what he had started.

The result is Monster, a raw and powerful song that captures the pain, frustration, and mental anguish that so many Lyme patients know all too well:

“There’s something wrong here, doctor, and I don’t know what it is… 

But there’s a monster in my body and it’s living in my limbs… 

And it’s tearing through my system like a hurricane wind that won’t stop…”

First “We Can” and then he couldn’t

Before he became ill, Ruben was a rising star in the music world, with a popular song called “We Can.” It was a feel-good, upbeat tune that he wrote after running his very first marathon.

Then everything changed.

It started with flu-like symptoms that wouldn’t go away, followed by dizziness and nausea.

Doctors ran tests and told him everything looked fine. But Jesse knew something wasn’t right. He struggled to breathe and couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs. The brain fog got so bad he’d forget the lyrics to his own songs—music he’d poured his heart into.

He saw more than ten doctors. Each gave him a different answer: vitamin D deficiency, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome. None of it fit.

Eventually, Jesse found a doctor who properly diagnosed and treated him for Lyme disease, and he began to heal. He returned to music with renewed purpose—and his single This Is Why I Need You struck a chord around the world. It’s now been streamed over 70 million times across various platforms, a testament to how deeply his message resonates.

Alongside his musical comeback, Jesse became a passionate advocate for others facing Lyme disease. He co-founded Generation Lyme, a nonprofit created to combat the isolation and confusion that so many people with Lyme disease experience.

The organization hosts free Zoom gatherings for patients, parents, and supporters and also offers the Generation Lyme podcast.

And now, Jesse has finally released Monster, the song he rasped into his cell phone so long ago. Take a listen:

Monster drops as a single today and is also featured on Jesse’s new album Belong, set for release on October 10. The ten-song collection explores themes of mental health, chronic illness, long-term relationships, and the essential role of community in helping us heal and thrive.

Jesse Ruben’s journey—from misdiagnosis and despair to healing and advocacy—is a powerful reminder of what it means to keep going.

With Monster and Belong, he’s not just sharing music—he’s sharing what it feels like to fight for your health, your voice, and your place in the world. These songs speak to anyone who’s ever felt lost in their own body, and they offer something we all need: the feeling of being seen, heard, and believed.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.lymedisease.org/jesse-rubens-monster/

Lyme-infected ticks are expanding across western North Carolina
Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Infectious Diease · Lyme Disease · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Tick Borne Illnesses

Lyme-infected ticks are expanding across western North Carolina

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From the University of North Carolina at Greensboro:

North Carolina is experiencing a surge in Lyme disease cases, and a new surveillance study from UNC Greensboro (UNCG) reveals that the primary vector of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), has been spreading into areas previously considered low risk.

“Currently, 16 states, mostly in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest, account for 95% of the reported LD cases,” says Dr. Gideon Wasserberg, a biology professor at UNCG and one of the research project leaders.

“However, low-incidence states to the south and west, including North Carolina, have experienced an increase in the number of reported Lyme disease cases since the early 2010s.”

With funding from Centers for Disease Control, administered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, researchers from UNCG, North Carolina State University, and Appalachian State University conducted a five-year, statewide survey of blacklegged ticks and the pathogens they often carry.

Dramatic increase in density

“Our data shows a range expansion of these ticks into more counties in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the western Piedmont region and a dramatic increase in their densities in this area as a whole,” said Wasserberg. “These findings are consistent with increasing reports of human Lyme disease cases in these areas.”

Eastern Piedmont and the Coastal Plain, where blacklegged ticks and human Lyme disease cases have been historically noted, saw little change in tick density in comparison.

In the new study, ticks from the Blue Ridge Mountains were also more likely to carry Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria responsible for most cases of Lyme disease, compared to ticks from the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.

“Our analyses indicate that these ticks and the bacteria they carry moved into the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina from southwestern Virginia over the last 10 years, travelling along the Appalachian Mountains,” says Wasserberg.

The researchers say the findings have important implications for public health.

“Enhanced surveillance, increased public awareness, and updated guidance for healthcare providers are crucial to mitigate risk.” said Dr. Reuben Garshong, the lead author of the newly published article in PLOS One. Now a research scientist at the New Jersey Department of Health, Garshong participated in much of the study as a doctoral student in Wasserberg’s lab at UNCG.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.lymedisease.org/tick-study-north-carolina/

Yolanda Hadid writes of the “unknown hell” of Bella’s Lyme battle
Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Infectious Diease · Lyme Disease · Men & Womens Health · Tick Borne Illnesses

Yolanda Hadid writes of the “unknown hell” of Bella’s Lyme battle

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This week, Yolanda Hadid—once a fixture in the fashion world, now a Lyme advocate and mother to internationally acclaimed model Bella Hadid—shared a deeply personal message on Instagram that struck a chord with countless families in the Lyme community.

For those of us who’ve watched our children suffer profoundly from tick-borne illness, her words are achingly familiar.

“Watching my Bella struggle in silence has cut the deepest core of hopelessness inside me,” she wrote.

“The invisible disability of chronic neurological Lyme disease is hard to explain or understand for anyone. I try to lead by example on our Lyme journey, but my own pain cannot compare to watching my baby suffer.”

Bella Hadid was diagnosed with chronic neurological Lyme disease in 2013, a year after her mom. Since then, Bella’s health has fluctuated dramatically—even as she continues to navigate the demands of a high-profile career in international fashion. To outsiders, that juxtaposition may seem incongruous. But Yolanda’s post reminds us that suffering often hides behind polished surfaces and public success.

“There simply aren’t words big enough for the darkness, the pain, and the unknown hell you’ve lived through since your diagnosis,” Yolanda wrote. “You didn’t really live, you learned how to exist inside the jail of your own paralyzed brain.”

“The CEO of my health”

Yolanda’s message is more than a mother’s lament—it’s a call to recognize the invisible toll of chronic illness. “I am the CEO of my health,” she writes, “and after fifteen years of searching the globe, I am still determined to find a cure affordable for all.”

That phrase—CEO of my health—is one many Lyme families will recognize. It’s the role we assume when conventional medicine fails us, when insurance won’t cover treatments, and when we’re forced to choose between financial stability and the hope of healing.

Yolanda’s post also speaks to the emotional weight this disease places on families. “This disease has brought us to our knees,” she says, “but we always get back up.” That resilience is the heartbeat of the Lyme community. It’s what sustains us through disappointing lab results, unyielding symptoms, and the quiet erosion of hope.

Bella Hadid’s struggle is not unique. But her visibility gives voice to millions who suffer way outside of the spotlight. And Yolanda’s decision to speak publicly—again, after years of quiet withdrawal—offers a renewed sense of solidarity.

To Yolanda and Bella: thank you for reminding the world that chronic Lyme is real, relentless, and deserving of compassion. May we all continue to fight for better days—and for a cure that’s accessible to all.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.lymedisease.org/yolanda-insta-bella-lyme/

Managing Fibromyalgia In Children
Children · Chronic Illness · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Managing Fibromyalgia In Children

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Welcome to Remedy, a blog by U.S. Pain Foundation. Remedy aims to provide people with the support they need to thrive despite chronic pain. It features the information about promising treatments, tips and strategies for self-management, resources for coping with the emotional and social effects of pain, unique perspectives from patients, clinicians, and caregivers–and much more. To submit an article idea, email contact@uspainfoundation.org.

By Brent Wells, DC, a chiropractor and founder of Better Health Chiropractic and Physical Rehab

If your child feels tired and achy, you may not worry initially. After all, there’s nothing urgent about what seems to be mild, general discomfort. However, if your child is constantly in pain, exhausted, having trouble sleeping, and experiencing intense moods, he/she may have fibromyalgia.

This condition is fairly common in adults, but parents and clinicians may overlook the possibility of juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome — that is, fibromyalgia in children.

JUVENILE FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by pain and fatigue. According to experts, children will often describe this pain as “stiffness, tightness, tenderness, burning or aching.” This pain can last for months and is often accompanied by other symptoms that affect a child’s overall well-being, energy level, and emotional health, including:

  • Tender spots on muscles
  • Difficulty sleeping and fatigue
  • Aches, including stomachaches and headaches
  • Lack of focus or memory
  • Anxiety and depression

If your child is experiencing these symptoms, you should see a doctor. There’s not one test to confirm it, so he/she will go through a range of tests to rule out other conditions.

Unfortunately, there is no one “cure” for fibromyalgia, which can be frustrating for patients, especially children. If left untreated, symptoms can lead to issues at school or making friends. Many parents describe this as a “vicious cycle” where symptoms continue to feed the condition.

Experts still aren’t sure what causes fibromyalgia or how it develops in the body. Some believe that mixed-up pain signals in the brain cause greater pain chemicals and/or overactive pain receptors. Others think it might be triggered, in part, by an emotional event like an illness, injury or psychological stress. But even if the cause involves emotions, the pain is still real.

HOW CHILDREN CAN COPE WITH FIBROMYALGIA

It’s important to create a support team and get your child’s primary care doctor, pain specialist, psychologist, physical therapist, and teachers on board. The more people are aware of your child’s condition, the more they can help him/her cope with symptoms at home and school. You may also want to look for pain support groups near you, for both your child and you as a parent.

Your doctor can help you decide whether medication, such as anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, or nerve pain medications, may be right for your child. He or she also may recommend therapies like injections or topical creams. In conjunction with these interventions, your doctor will probably prescribe treatments like physical therapy and behavioral changes, which are crucial to long-term management of fibromyalgia.

Let’s go over some nonpharmacological strategies for coping with fibromyalgia.

FIVE STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVED SYMPTOMS

Although fibromyalgia may disrupt your child’s life, affecting school and friendships, you may be able to improve your child’s quality of life with these natural therapies and changes. Of course, there’s no cure for fibromyalgia, but by managing symptoms, you can help your child get back to some sense of normalcy.

  1. Get moving!

Exercise can be incredibly valuable for managing your child’s fibromyalgia symptoms. Exercise can relieve muscle stiffness and tire out the body physically so that your child can fall asleep more easily. In particular, pool exercises have been shown to help patients because the warm water can have a soothing effect on pain and also promote blood circulation.

Consider signing up your child for swim class to get regular exercise that is both fun and good for symptoms. Start with limited intervals of exercise at first, and slowly increase them as symptoms allow. Aquatic physical therapy can be extremely beneficial for patients whose fibromyalgia is too severe for regular pool activities.

  1. Incorporate meditation methods

While your child may not be interested in meditation, try to incorporate some of the practices in your child’s daily life. After playtime, encourage your child to take a moment to relax and reset. In addition, teach your child how to use relaxing breathing exercises when he/she feels overwhelmed during school or before bed.

Studies show that meditation can help reduce fibromyalgia patients’ stiffness, anxiety and depression. In the least, promoting a stress-free environment and creating a sense of relaxation will help your child feel less anxious.

  1. Say goodnight to fibromyalgia

Your child’s sleep routine is essential for improving fibromyalgia symptoms. Chart out the best routine for your child together. Make sure he/she goes to bed at the same time every day and start “sleep-ready” habits an hour before bed. This routine could include a break from screen time, reading a story together, listening to a relaxing song and/or taking a hot bath. Promoting a relaxing environment will help your child get to sleep.

Make sure you’re not giving your child food late at night, especially items with any caffeine or sugar. Also, be sure take away tablets and cell phones. The blue light can wake up your child instead of helping him/her get sleepy. Sufficient sleep is essential to managing pain.

  1. Change your child’s diet for success

Some experts recommend following an anti-inflammatory diet to prevent aches and pains. In general, an anti-inflammatory diet is based on the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fish, fish, vegetables, whole grains, and olive oil.

Update your child’s lunch to include a handful of nuts, or add an apple for a snack. Anytime you can add fruits and vegetables to his/her diet, do it! This boost of nutrients will fuel your child for success. Try to limit junk food as well, which has no value and could actually inflame your child’s pains.

  1. Schedule your child for a physical therapy session

Your child could benefit from seeing a physical therapist or chiropractor near you. Recent studies show how physical therapy or chiropractic can have a positive impact on fibromyalgia patients. Finding the right physical therapist is important. Call in advance to ensure they have experience with fibromyalgia and/or with children. Specific exercises in physical therapy can help to improve your child’s core strength and incorporate techniques to soothe muscle aches and pain. Similarly, regular massage therapy sessions with an experienced masseuse can improve your child’s exercise, sleep and mood.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

A fibromyalgia diagnosis can be challenging, but doesn’t have to take over your child’s life. It’s a good idea to talk to an expert to come up with the most effective care plan for your child, one that ideally includes a diverse range of strategies, like those listed above. Together, you can talk about your child’s specific issues and needs, and figure out the best way to improve symptoms.

About Dr. Brent Wells

Dr. Brent Wells is a graduate of the University of Nevada where he earned his bachelor of science degree before moving on to complete his doctorate from Western States Chiropractic College. He founded Better Health Chiropractic and Physical Rehab in Anchorage in 1998. He became passionate about being in the chiropractic field after his own experiences with hurried, unprofessional healthcare providers. The goal for Dr. Wells is to treat his patients with care and compassion while providing them with a better quality of life through his professional treatment.

Melinda

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Health Update- Another Diagnosis
Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

Health Update- Another Diagnosis

Looking for the Light15 Comments

By fluke a CT Scan of my shoulder also showed damage to my lungs, a complete shock to me. The first scan showed I had Chronic Bronchitis and Moderate Asthma. He ordered a High Resolution CT Scan to better identify the damage to my lungs. The outcome was I had Sjogrens Related Lung Diesase that had caused Bronchiestasis, which has damaged my lungs.

The damage to my lungs are in the airways, they have developed pouches which makes it hard to clear your lungs and can cause frequent infections. Each infection causes more damage. The answer is using a nebilizer twice a day to clear my lungs.

When I was diagnosis with Sjogrens Disease years ago, all I knew was it affects the salivary glands which caused dry mouth, eyes and nose, when the salivary glands became enlarged they were hard, and slightly painful. The doctor never mentioned that Sjogrens is known to cause damage to you lungs.

The diagnosis of Asthma didn’t make sense to me, I hadn’t had an Asthma attack before but three weeks after the diagnosis I had a really bad one and thought I was going to die, it was like my airways closed off. It was so scary. The three other attacks where not near as bad, It was like I couldn’t catch my breath but it was more like breating hard, those lasted much longer. I use an all day inhaler and a rescue one.

My life live has changed so much knowing my lungs are damaged, there’s no cure and it’s progressive.

I’ve had time to wrap my mind around it, not overfocusing on the what if’s and now determined to live my best life.

Melinda

Reference:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21144-bronchiectasis

Questions to Ask Your Doctor After an Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Chronic Illness · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

Questions to Ask Your Doctor After an Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Looking for the Light2 Comments

Here are some ideas on how to prepare for conversations with your doctor about a new early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Asking key questions can help you feel less overwhelmed, better understand your stage, symptoms, and treatment options, and also navigate any feelings of uncertainty and potential challenges. 

We compiled a list of important questions and talking points to discuss with your doctor to determine the best path forward.

Understanding your diagnosis

What stage is the Alzheimer’s disease currently in?

One of the first questions for your healthcare professional should be about which of the seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease you’re experiencing.

An early diagnosis, commonly referred to as early-onset Alzheimer’s, is when the condition is detected before the age of 65. Generally, early-onset diagnoses are seen in people in their 50s. 

Though no one wants to hear that they’re navigating this overwhelming condition at any stage, the earlier it’s detected, the better for planning for the future, including certain medications and other therapies for improving symptoms. 

ResearchTrusted Source suggests that early diagnosis also helps caregivers in a handful of ways.

For example, it gives them time to adjust to any mood or personality changes in the person they’re caring for, explain the changes to other family members, and allows them more time to create the most comprehensive care plan.

Emotionally processing the diagnosis early and having time to plan accordingly also has a significant impact on mental health. Early diagnosis has been shownTrusted Source to decrease depression and anxiety in caregivers. 

What are the key symptoms I should expect to see in the near future?

Understanding more about your stage can help you prepare for symptoms commonly seen in that stage. 

For example, the hallmark of early Alzheimer’s is lapses in memory, like forgetting recent experiences or conversations. 

Other early symptoms include: 

  • losing track of objects
  • difficulty finding the right words
  • asking repetitive questions 
  • becoming resistant to trying new things 
  • mood changes like anxiety or depression 

Asking your doctor about your stage’s symptoms allows everyone involved to understand what to expect, which can also help you give yourself some grace. 

How is this diagnosis confirmed and are there any other tests needed?

Unlike some other health conditions, Alzheimer’s is not confirmed with a stand-alone test. 

Instead, healthcare providers rely on a slew of diagnostic tools to detect it, which can includeTrusted Source:

  • neurological exams (like testing reflexes, balance and coordination, and more)
  • cognitive and functional assessments 
  • brain scans (MRI, CT, PET) 
  • biomarker tests like cerebrospinal fluid testing 

Your doctor will also take a close look at your medical history, taking certain factorsTrusted Source into account, including:

Ask your doctor which tests and tools helped detect your diagnosis and if additional tests, like those listed above, may be helpful. 

Treatment options

What treatment options are available at this stage?

Talking with your doctor about treatment options is crucial for managing the condition. Though no treatment can stop the condition, certain medications can lower symptoms or delay progression, making coping and daily life activities easier. 

Here are some Alzheimer’s medication options to discuss with your doctor:

Are there any lifestyle changes or interventions that could help manage symptoms?

Certain lifestyle adjustments may also improve symptoms. Talk with your doctor about other therapies you can consider alongside medications, including: 

How will we monitor the progression of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment?

Discussing how well your treatment plan is working should be an ongoing conversation with your doctor during follow-up appointments. You can discuss any side effects and symptom improvement and decide if a different treatment plan may be necessary. 

When someone living with Alzheimer’s has progressed from one stage to another, it may be time to discuss different options, as certain medications are approved only for specific stages.

Have a plan with your doctor for checking in regularly, which is usually done by scheduling routine appointments weeks in advance.

Impact on daily life

What strategies can help maintain my quality of life as the disease progresses?

Quality of life should also be discussed during follow-up appointments. Your doctor can discuss coping strategies and help ensure that you and your caregivers maximize joy whenever possible.

For example, adding fun, social, and creative activities into your schedule can be cognitively stimulating and also create opportunities to relax and deepen relationships. Some examples include painting, card or board games, puzzles, coloring, and more. 

It’s also important to keep meaningful activities present, including any spiritual practices you may have. 

Remember that rest is just as important as socializing and other activities, especially for those with Alzheimer’s, so plan breaks into your schedule, too.

How can I prepare for potential changes in my ability to function?

There’s no perfect way to prepare for changes, but it is important to stay flexible, take breaks when needed, and be open with your doctor about recent function changes. Check in with your doctor about which tasks are becoming more difficult and which are still very manageable.

Keeping lists and Post-it reminders handy, including daily tasks and schedules, can help you stay on track. Your doctor can discuss when it may be time to turn certain tasks over to your caregivers, like driving.

Support from others

How can my family and caregivers best support me through this journey?

During each stage, your caregivers will have a lot to think about and manage. Counseling or other therapies may be helpful for their well-being. 

But overall, when they’re not checking in with your doctor, planning for the future, and helping with certain daily tasks, remind them to stay present and not force activities you have no interest in. 

For example, if you’re feeling tired one evening but a caregiver has a movie night planned, remind them it’s OK for you to take a rain check.

Spending time together is important, whether it’s sharing meals or memories. 

If you’re up for it, looking over photographs or home movies may be helpful for stirring up shared past experiences. This is referred to as reminiscence therapyTrusted Source, and it’s been shown to improve quality of life for older adults. 

If this type of activity is too heavy for either of you to process, you can skip it. The idea isn’t to connect dots to recall specific memories but to spend time enjoying each other’s company while thinking about shared positive experiences. 

You and your caregivers can also call The Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900. 

This free resource offers support through information, local resources, crisis assistance, and emotional support.

What should my caregivers know about managing my condition?

Though caregivers may feel overwhelmed or stressed, a few things are never OK, including:

  • constant correcting or controlling
  • rushing
  • forcing
  • laughing at mistakes 
  • condescending remarks or suggestions 

Your caregivers will need some advice and maybe training for activities they might have to perform during later stages, such as feeding, bathing, and changing. 

It’s also crucial to ensure that the home is a safe, comfortable, and easy-to-navigate environment.

You can ask your doctor for other important things for your caregivers to keep in mind. They can offer tip sheets and additional resources. 

You can also consider trained attendants for care at home if they’re available to you.

Financial and legal considerations

What should I know about planning for future financial and legal matters?

Locking financial and legal matters into place as soon as possible can make you feel more confident about the future. Ask your doctor to guide you to any resources that may help you map these matters out. 

For example, the first step is to document your choice of who has power of attorney. Similarly, making a plan for bills to be paid at the same time every month through automatic withdrawal can help relieve some stress and cross one thing off your to-do list. 

Additionally, some living facilities offer plans that include rent and all other expenses, like utilities, cable, etc., into one monthly bill, so there’s no need to keep track of a long list of monthly due dates. 

How can I ensure that my wishes regarding care and treatment are respected?

This is another area where documentation comes in handy. You can document your preferences across a wide range of areas of your life, including your preferred activities, people to socialize with, favorite and least favorite foods, etc. 

It’s important to check in with your caregivers and healthcare providers about whether your care feels right for you. Maintaining open communication with your healthcare providers and being honest if you feel unsafe at home is also important.

The takeaway

It’s important to be proactive and informed in managing early-onset Alzheimer’s. 

A strong first step is maintaining open communication with your healthcare providers and asking key questions. Gathering the right information can help you cope and plan for a smoother, more comfortable future.

From there, finding the right support team, whether friends, family, or caregivers, is the next best step to feeling more confident as you moving forward.

Remember that you’re not alone — help and companionship are often just a phone call away. 

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers/questions-to-ask?utm_term=feedcontent&utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=alzheimers_carejourney&utm_content=2025-08-26&apid=36735751&rvid=7f053d6ecf820dccd09e4914833cbd49bdfe95bb517404ee9b41601767d1bace#takeaway
Book Review Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness by Christopher Martin
Book Review · Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Book Review Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness by Christopher Martin

Looking for the Light4 Comments

I was kindly gifted an advanced copy of Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness, Proven Strategies for Discovering Happiness, Meaning, and Fulfillment by Christopher Martin from NetGallery for a review. 

Published 2021

I am a school psychologist, husband, father, and – pertinent to this website – an author who has multiple invisible chronic illnesses. 

 And an invisible chronic illness is a beast.  On top of draining you physically, a chronic illness can impact all aspects of your life ranging from causing financial hardship to harming your relationships to dampening your spirits.  Try to be cheerful when you have this unremitting “monkey on your back” known as an invisible chronic illness that constantly demands your attention 24-7.  Needless to say, it’s easy to let yourself and others down. 

      Plus, your family or friends can’t see your illness, as it’s invisible, and they may not understand.  Most with an invisible illness are familiar with “advice” ranging from “stay positive” to “you look good” to “Have you tried ___ for your condition?”  Yup, you probably have, and it didn’t work. 

      On top of that, best wishes in accessing (and maintaining) high quality medical care when you are too tired to even take care of yourself.    

      Welcome to the world of an invisible chronic illness.  I should know.  I suffer from multiple invisible chronic illnesses, including a primary immune deficiency disorder and bronchiectasis. 

 But it doesn’t have to be this way – for you or for me.    While I am not cured of my illness, I enjoy a fulfilling life and experience ongoing joy, peace, and happiness.  Because of outstanding medical care, extensive self-educating and self-care, a supportive family, and a strong faith, I effectively manage my chronic illnesses.  But I didn’t want to be the only one to benefit.  It was my goal, in turn, to give back to others by doing what I love to do:  authoring books on these conditions. 

Blurb

“Finding Joy is a vital guide on how to best manage and navigate life with a chronic illness.”—James Nestor, New York Times bestselling author of Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art

“Finding Joy provides a comprehensive, evidence-based roadmap for not only coping with chronic illness, but personally optimizing self-growth and resiliency from the experience.” —Joanne Joseph, PhD, professor of psychology and interim dean of the College of Health Sciences, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, and author of The Resilient Child: Preparing Today’s Youth for Tomorrow’s World

* How can you experience those good thoughts and feelings, enjoy life to its fullest, and de-stress when faced with relentless physical suffering?

* How can you enhance your relationships, find support, respond to the naysayers, and possibly even help them understand you and your illness?

* When seeking medical care, how can you get the answers you deserve, and access and maintain quality healthcare?

Early Reviews

“”Finding Joy is absolutely phenomenal. Chris Martin’s heartfelt approach offers numerous meaningful strategies to thrive when faced with the many unseen and unrecognized issues of living with an invisible chronic illness.””—Heather Lewis-Hoover, MS, CAS, school counselor

““Finding Joy is a vital guide on how to best manage and navigate life with a chronic illness.””—James Nestor, New York Times bestselling author of Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art

“Finding Joy provides a comprehensive, evidence-based roadmap for not only coping with chronic illness, but personally optimizing self-growth and resiliency from the experience.” —Joanne Joseph, PhD, professor of psychology and interim dean of the College of Health Sciences, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, and author of The Resilient Child: Preparing Today’s Youth for Tomorrow’s World

My Thoughts

I think Chris says it best, the diagnosis is a step forward, it’s not the last. 

Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness is a great find, one for all to read, patients, loved ones, and, family members. It is a simple and practical approach to taking control by understanding how we think and what we have control over when it comes to our chronic condition and healthcare treatment. 

Enjoy Reading,

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Repost

How to Handle Disrespect Without Taking It Personally
Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Illness · Moving Forward

How to Handle Disrespect Without Taking It Personally

Looking for the Light7 Comments

Bipolar can make disrespect feel overwhelming. Reframing others’ behavior keeps the focus on their actions — not your worth.

Did you know that no one can disrespect you?

That’s right! No one can disrespect us. When we feel disrespected, we’re taking someone’s words or actions personally, and we choose to feel disrespected. We assign to our response feelings like invalidation or disrespect. In actuality, they are not disrespecting us. Here’s why.

You’ve probably heard it before, but it’s absolutely true: People’s actions are a reflection of the person they are. They are projecting their behavior onto us.

Don’t Take Disrespect Personally

Learning not to take things personally is so important to our mental well-being and happiness. When we think people are being disrespectful, invalidating, or rejecting, that’s when we’re taking their behaviors personally and making their behaviors about us. 

Another person’s behavior is not about us. It may feel like people are acting a certain way because of us, but the way people act is always about them.

When we feel disrespected, this is our cue to start reframing the situation for clarity and perspective. Instead of taking things personally and feeling bad about ourselves, we need to change our thinking to find perspective, objectivity, and clarity.

Reframe Negative Thoughts for a Healthier Perspective

I used to feel disrespected all the time, like I didn’t matter, and people put me last or trampled my boundaries. We can feel very low and cultivate a lot of negative thinking about ourselves when we have this perspective. This is not good for promoting a solid sense of self, healthy self-esteem, or positive self-image.

We need to protect ourselves from emotional hurt and invalidation. I’ve found that when I can reframe hurtful actions as experiences rather than taking them personally, it helps me cope with people who may be unaware or hurtful.

Not having the situation be about me makes it easier to maintain perspective, distance, and detachment. 

How do you do this? Instead of claiming disrespect, detach from that idea and reframe the situation in terms of how the disrespectful person was behaving. Your thought process is no longer, They were disrespectful to me, which hurt my feelings! Instead, it becomes:

  • They were being rude
  • They were acting like a jerk
  • They were being insensitive
  • They were being disrespectful

And here’s the important part,  … but that is a poor reflection of them and not hurtful to me.Again, the key here is, that’s not hurtful to me.

Why Strong Boundaries Protect Your Mental Health

The most important dynamic in human behavior and healthy relationships is creating and maintaining boundaries, in my opinion. Boundaries allow clarity, perspective, and detachment because they keep us in a safe space and separated from what crosses our boundaries and creates anger or hurt.arated from what crosses our boundaries and creates hurt or anger.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.bphope.com/blog/taking-yourself-on-effective-strategies-to-deal-with-disrespect/?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=bphope&utm_content=Best+-+Sep9+-+Anger

Top Bipolar Disorder Support Organizations and Resources
Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Illness · Moving Forward

Top Bipolar Disorder Support Organizations and Resources

Looking for the Light1 Comment

Professional support groups and networks play a vital role in addressing challenges faced by those living with bipolar disorder and their families.

Finding the right support can make a world of difference when living with bipolar disorder. National and international organizations offer resources, education, and community — helping individuals and families feel informed, empowered, and less alone.

These care networks — such as peer and professional support groups — create a sense of connection and belonging and provide practical insights for navigating the often complex mental health care system. They also offer valuable tools, such as self-help strategies and lifestyle recommendations, which empower individuals to manage their symptoms more effectively.

In addition to providing support and resources, some national networks are actively involved in research, clinical trials, and the development of innovative therapies.

Here’s a roundup of the best bipolar support organizations contributing to a brighter future for those who live with bipolar disorder or love someone who does:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a range of programs designed to educate you and your family about bipolar disorder, including a peer-to-peer program specifically for adults living with mental health conditions.

They also feature a helpline on their website that offers free, confidential support, as well as referrals to local services, and guidance from trained volunteers. With local chapters all over the United States, the national organization can provide you with direct assistance, including access to support groups, educational initiatives, and community outreach programs.

As advocates for improved mental health policies, the National Alliance on Mental Illness actively works to enhance access to care, safeguard your rights, and increase research funding. Plus, they share the latest research findings in bipolar disorder management, helping you stay informed and empowered.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

As a leading national organization specializing in depression and bipolar disorder, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance reaches millions of people each year with its extensive selection of resources. A key feature of their support system is the array of both in-person and online support groups, which are led by individuals who’ve had personal experiences with mood disorders. These groups provide a safe and comforting space where you can share your experiences, gain support, and learn coping strategies. And if you’re interested, they also provide training so you, too, can lead support groups and share your experiences with others.

The organization also offers dedicated resources for support partners, families, and friends. They provide an online community where your support network can connect with others in similar situations to exchange advice and gain support.

In addition to these support groups, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance has plenty of educational materials to help you better understand your diagnosis, learn about treatment options, and find strategies for maintaining your bipolar stability.

Mental Health America (MHA)

A reliable resource to guide you on your journey with bipolar, Mental Health America offers a wealth of helpful information. This includes detailed insights into symptoms, understanding the diagnosis process, exploring various treatment options, and practical strategies for day-to-day coping.

Through their website, they offer various tools, including online screening options, to help you identify potential bipolar symptoms, insightful articles about the mood disorder, and hosting educational webinars and podcasts.

Understanding the value of shared experiences and community in managing bipolar disorder, Mental Health America promotes its peer-support platform, Inspire. They also conduct public awareness campaigns to help reduce stigma and advocate for research to enhance our understanding and management of this diagnosis.

International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF)

A valuable support, the International Bipolar Foundation provides a range of educational tools, including informative webinars and detailed blogs to help you — and your loved ones — understand and manage your condition more effectively. If you’re newly diagnosed, they offer a free book to guide you through this journey.

Recognizing the importance of having people around who understand what you’re going through, the foundation maintains a list of support groups worldwide. One of their main goals is to help you connect with these groups and mental health professionals, ensuring you can always find the help you need.

In collaboration with global organizations and experts, the International Bipolar Foundation is dedicated to advancing research to improve our knowledge and treatment of bipolar disorder. They’re also active in raising awareness and reducing stigma through various campaigns, promoting greater societal understanding and acceptance. For anyone in a crisis, they list international suicide hotlines.

American Psychiatric Association (APA)

Dedicated to promoting mental health through research, education, and advocacy, the American Psychiatric Association offers valuable resources for individuals with bipolar disorder and healthcare professionals. They create guidelines that doctors use to diagnose and treat bipolar, ensuring that you’re getting care based on the most current knowledge and research.

They also educate psychiatrists and health providers about the latest findings and treatment methods for bipolar disorder, which helps keep your health team updated and well-equipped to support you.

The association also conducts research and advocates for policies and funding that improve mental health care. This work can lead to a better understanding and treatments for bipolar disorder in the future. You can find informative articles, webinars, podcasts, and guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, all aimed at increasing understanding, reducing stigma, and improving overall care. If you need to find a psychiatrist in your area, consider trying their Find a Psychiatrist tool.

Mayo Clinic

This top U.S. hospital provides personalized care and support for people living with bipolar disorder, which includes everything from diagnosis to treatment. Mayo Clinic’s team of specialists, including those from their Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, work together to create a treatment plan designed specifically for you. This could include medications, therapy, lifestyle changes, or a mix of these.

Mayo Clinic provides educational resources to help you better understand your condition, manage your symptoms, and make informed decisions about your treatment. Plus, they offer support services like stress management assistance and help with any related school or work challenges.

They also have a comprehensive outpatient evaluation and treatment program at the Mayo Clinic Depression Center, along with the Mood Disorders Unit and the Mayo Mood Clinic.

And as part of their ongoing efforts to improve bipolar management, Mayo Clinic conducts research, which means you’d have access to the latest treatment options and may even be able to participate in clinical trials.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

The National Institute of Mental Health — part of the world’s largest medical research organization, the National Institutes of Health — plays a significant role in supporting you or your loved ones.

A rich source of information about bipolar disorder, they maintain an extensive collection of educational materials on their website, providing in-depth insights into the symptoms, causes, diagnostic process, and treatment methods related to the disorder.

The institute invests in research and clinical trials to improve how we diagnose and treat bipolar disorder, and evaluate new treatment possibilities. They also collaborate with other organizations to raise public awareness about bipolar disorder and reduce its stigma. This helps everyone, from the general public to healthcare professionals, to better understand and respond to the complexities of this mood disorder.

Additional Mental Health Associations and Organizations

The following additional organizations spread awareness and understanding about bipolar disorder, the treatment of clinical depression, and mental health, in general. If you seek additional information about bipolar disease and depression treatment for yourself, a child, or loved one, we encourage you to explore these websites:

United States

Canada

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.bphope.com/the-best-bipolar-support-organizations/?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=bphope&utm_content=HHH+-+Aug28+-+Support

Resources to help figure out your next move-Critical Information For Children & Adult’s
Chronic Illness · Climate Change/Global Warming · Health and Wellbeing · Lyme Disease · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Tick Borne Illnesses

Resources to help figure out your next move-Critical Information For Children & Adult’s

Looking for the Light4 Comments

One of the most important things a person with Lyme disease needs is clear, concise information.Here’s a list of useful resources to get you going in the right direction.LymeDisease.org is one of the foremost Lyme patient advocacy organizations in the United States. We provide a wealth of information on our website–about ticks, Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Special features include:Symptom Checklist: Patients can answer a series of questions, print out the filled-in form and take it to their doctor. The printout describes basic facts, explains the two standards of care for Lyme disease, and endorses the ILADS guidelines. It’s a way to help your doctor help you.Physician Directory: Find a Lyme-literate practitioner near you.Our blogs keep the Lyme community up to date on news, analysis, and opinion.

Social media. We spread the word via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Our free weekly email newsletters keep you informed on Lyme-related developments. Click here to sign up.

US National Lyme Online Support Group: Information and emotional support for people dealing with Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.

MyLymeData patient registry: This big data research project allows patients to privately pool information about their Lyme disease experiences. So far, more than 17,000 people have enrolled in the project, providing millions of data points on Lyme disease demographics, tick bites, diagnosis, symptoms, lab tests, co-infections, treatment and quality of life. Add your Lyme data to MyLymeData to help find a cure for Lyme disease.

Lyme disease posters

Children and Lyme disease

Basic info about children with Lyme disease Gestational Lyme disease LymeHope, a Canadian Lyme advocacy organization, has taken a particular interest in the issue of mother-to-fetus Lyme transmission.

LymeAid4Kids–Financial assistance for Lyme treatment for those under age 21.

Lymelight Foundation–financial assistance for Lyme treatment for children and young adults through age 25

.LivLyme Foundation–Financial grants for children with Lyme disease (under 21).

Mothers Against Lyme–Advocacy and education about congenital and childhood Lyme

Video: Lyme Disease & Pregnancy: State of the Science & Opportunities for Research

Book: When Your Child Has Lyme Disease: A Parent’s Survival Guide  by Sandra Berenbaum and Dorothy Kupcha Leland.

Book: Brain Inflamed: Uncovering the Hidden Causes of Anxiety, Depression, and other Mood Disorders in Adolescents and Teens  by Dr. Kenneth Bock

.Book: Protecting Your  Child From the Child Protection System, by Beth Alison Maloney

Book: Finding Resilience: A Teen’s Journey Through Lyme Disease, by Rachel Leland and Dorothy Kupcha Leland

.Article: Healthy Mom Best Prescription for Healthy Baby (The Lyme Times) (PDF)

Wrightslaw.com–Website with information about Special Education law.

PANS/PANDAS

ASPIRE: The Alliance to Solve PANS and Immune Related Encephalopathies

New England PANS/PANDAS Association

Northwest PANDAS/PANS Network

PANDAS Network

Moleculera Labs

Three books by Beth Alison Maloney:  Saving Sammy,  Childhood Interrupted: The Complete Guide to PANDAS and PANS, and Protecting Your Child from the Child Protection system (The author of these books is the mother of a child who healed from PANDAS. She is an attorney/advocate for the recognition and treatment of PANS/PANDAS, and advises parents about legal issues related to PANS/PANDAS and other complex medical conditions.)

Parenting with PANS

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Ticks

Types of ticks

How to protect yourself from ticks

Find the repellent that’s right for you (EPA website)

Help! I’ve gotten a tick bite. Now what?

TickEncounter Resource Center—University of Rhode Island

Tick testing. There are various places to get ticks tested. Here are several: IGeneX, TickCheck, Ticknology, Tick Report

MilTICK—free tick testing and identification service available for ticks removed from Department of Defense (DoD) personnel and their dependents. 

Mast cell activation syndrome and food-related issues

MCAS, when your immune system goes haywire

The agony of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)

Healing from mast cell activation syndrome

What to eat when you’re allergic to everything?

Severe weather can worsen mast cell activation syndrome

Alpha-gal syndrome

There is growing evidence that certain types of tick bites can trigger alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) a life-threatening allergy to red meat and meat-related products.

Alpha-gal syndrome–symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Tick-Borne Conditions United

Alpha-gal Information Website

Other Lyme-related symptoms & issues

Lyme carditis and heart block

Lyme disease can affect the heart in complicated ways

Lyme disease and cognitive impairments

Gastrointestinal manifestations of Lyme

Psychiatric manifestations of Lyme 

Lyme disease and hearing loss

Lyme and multiple sclerosis 

Lyme and allodynia 

Medical marijuana and Lyme disease 

The dreaded Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction

How Lyme disease can affect your vision

12 ways you can help yourself manage chronic pain  

Morgellons

The Charles E. Holman Morgellons Disease FoundationMorgellons: The legitimization of a disease (book review)Skin Deep: The Battle Over Morgellons (documentary film) 

Treating Lyme disease with disulfiram

What is disulfiram and why does it spark excitement in Lyme community?Treating psychiatric Lyme symptoms with disulfiram

Co-infections

The Lyme Times Special Issue on Co-infections (PDF)About Lyme disease co-infectionsCo-infections poster

Mold

Lyme and mold 

Survivingmold.com

Dealing with Lyme disease and mold illness at the same time

Mold Testing Guide (How to test your home for mold)

Your guide to mold in your home

Clean indoor air on a budget

Are you unknowingly ingesting toxic mold?

How to donate blood and tissue for Lyme research

Lyme Disease Biobank

Lyme and pets

Basic information about Lyme and pets

Parasite prevalence maps Educational website includes a US map down to the county level, showing where dogs have tested positive for Lyme, anaplasmosis, erhlichiosis and other diseases. Also, information about protecting your pet from tick-borne diseases.

Companion Animal Parasite Council website has comprehensive information about how to protect your pets from ticks and other parasites.

Books (Treatment, healing modalities, family life)

Brain Inflamed: Uncovering the Hidden Causes of Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mood Disorders in Adolescents and Teens, by Dr. Kenneth Bock

CHRONIC: The Hidden Cause of the Autoimmune Pandemic and How to Get Healthy Again, by Dr. Steven Phillips and Dana Parish

Conquering Lyme Disease: Science Bridges the Great Divide, by Brian A. Fallon, MD, and Jennifer Sotsky, MD

The Deep Places: A Memoir of Illness and Discovery, by Ross Douthat. The New York Times columnist delves into his personal years-long battle with chronic Lyme disease.

Finding Resilience: A Teen’s Journey Through Lyme Disease, by Rachel Leland and Dorothy Kupcha Leland. Based on the journal Rachel kept during the worst years of her illness, with additional insights from her mother, Dorothy.

How can I get better? An Action Plan for Treating Resistant Lyme and Chronic Disease, by Dr. Richard Horowitz

The Lyme Diet, by Dr. Nicola McFadzean. What to eat while healing from Lyme.

Recovery from Lyme Disease: The Integrative Medicine Guide to Diagnosing and Treating Tick-Borne Illness, by Dr. Daniel Kinderlehrer.

TOXIC: Heal Your Body from Mold Toxicity, Lyme Disease, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, and Chronic Environmental Illness, by Dr. Neil Nathan.

When Your Child Has Lyme Disease: A Parent’s Survival Guide  by Sandra Berenbaum and Dorothy Kupcha Leland.

Why Can’t I Get Better? Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease, by Dr. Richard Horowitz.

Books (History, Policy, and Science)

Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons, by Kris Newby

Cure Unknown: Inside the Lyme Epidemic, by Pamela Weintraub.

Lyme: The First Epidemic of Climate Change, by Mary Beth Pfeiffer.

Film and Video

I’m Not Crazy, I’m sick, Lyme documentary, available on various streaming services.

The Quiet Epidemic, documentary film about chronic Lyme disease, available on various streaming services.

Under Our Skin, award-winning Lyme documentary film.

Under Our Skin 2: Emergence (sequel)

The Red Ring, documentary takes a global look at Lyme disease.

Your Labs Are Normal, feature film based on real-life experiences.

Financial assistance

LymeTAP.com–Lyme Testing Access Program. Financial assistance for Lyme diagnostic testing.

Needymeds.com–Clearing house for information about various kinds of financial assistance for obtaining medication.

Lymelight Foundation–financial assistance for Lyme treatment for children and young adults through age 25.

Lyme Treatment Foundation–financial assistance for Lyme treatment. No age restrictions.

LivLyme Foundation–Financial grants for children with Lyme disease.

LymeAid4Kids—grants for young Lyme patients (up to age 21).

Partner in Lyme—grants for Lyme treatment for residents of Connecticut.

Applying for Social Security benefits for Lyme disease

Outside of the United States

ALCE Asociación de Lyme Crónico España (Spain)

Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation

LymeHope (Canada)

LYRI (Mexico)

Lyme Disease Action (UK)

LymeDiseaseUK

Lyme Disease Association of Australia

Karl McManus Foundation (Australia)

France Lyme

Tick Talk Ireland

Lyme Poland

Association Luxembourgeoise Borréliose de Lyme (Luxembourg)

Onlyme-aktion.org  (Germany)

Lymevereniging (Netherlands)

This is one of the most comprehensive articles Lyme Dieases and co-infections. When you talk to a expert on the subject matter be sure to ask for referral, it took me two doctors to find the right doctor. I can say that you General Doctor is not the right type of doctor for your treatment and surgical. YES, it’s that important. The best source for referrals for Lyme Literate Doctor is ILADS.

Melinda

REFERENCE:

TOUCHED BY LYME is written by Dorothy Kupcha Leland, LymeDisease.org’s Vice-president and Director of Communications. She is co-author of When Your Child Has Lyme Disease: A Parent’s Survival Guide. Contact her at dleland@lymedisease.org .

Happy Birthday Daddy 1940-1992
Chronic Illness · Communicating · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Mental Illness · Moving Forward · Self-Care · Survivor · Trauma

Happy Birthday Daddy 1940-1992

Looking for the Light19 Comments

The morning after you killed yourself, we went to secure the house. I knew immediately you suffered slowly. Among the papers, trash, and clothes  and I found your lockbox. The divorce paperwork to my mother, every card I gave you as a child. I found the pad you were writing on. Your Bible on the coffee table, dried tears as you were reading Job in the Bible.

The note had 11:30 a.m. written in the corner. I could see you called your best friend and the phone number to a suicide line. There were words and a drawing that made no sense. Granny paralyzed, crying, asking why. The house ransacked, nothing anything made sense to her.

Dirty dishes piled high, nothing in the refrigerator, how did you live like this, how long? You phoned me several times in the months before your death. Delusional and highly paranoid each time. Someone was tapping your phone, they were trying to get you and the rest I could not understand, you were already gone. As much as I hated you, I cried, begged you not to kill yourself, trying to reason with him that Granny would never be the same. I paid your bills for months. You weren’t in touch with reality.

The outcome will not change if determined. I knew you would take your life and told no-one. I’ve wondered what went through your mind in the hours doodling to writing the note, then killing yourself. I received the call at 10:00 p.m., Gramps said your dad has done away with himself. I called right back to see if you were dead or going to the hospital.

The boxes of cassettes next to your bed, taking months to listen to. You were mentally ill, not under the care of a Psychiatrist, no medications. Your temper went 1-10 in seconds, obnoxious, loud, racist, screaming, out of control.

 

 

You had hit the bottom and I didn’t know because we were estranged,

I’ve experienced being suicidal more than once, God and my husband saved me. If you are thinking about suiside, call your Psychiatrist right away or go to closet hospital, be open with your doctor and follow all medications instructions, these actions may save your life. I’ve stayed in Psychistratic Hospitals multiple times, I had 21 ECT Treatments, and I feel no shame. My mental heath is critical to living a balanced life.

I think of you one day a year.

Melinda

Reposted

Chronic Illness and Marriage
Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Chronic Illness and Marriage

Looking for the Light19 Comments

When you get married you commit for “better or worse and in sickness and in health”. You don’t think those two things will happen early in your marriage if you think about them at all. Marriage is full of ups and downs, good and bad, and is very hard at times. When you add a chronic illness to the mix it can get complicated. Not every person is ready for the “better or worse, or in sickness and in health”.

Sacrifices are essential to living with someone with a Chronic Illness. There were years where my husband had to fill my medicine case each week, cook every meal, do all the laundry, help me shower, get me dressed, help me in and out of the car, walk me up and down the stairs, the list goes on and on. I haven’t seen the inside of a grocery store in years.

He gave up several hobbies he loved to make sure there was always time to take care of my medical and mental health needs. It comes at a cost to the partner’s mental health. I encouraged him to seek counseling which he did and it helped a great deal.

My husband has been caring for me and my health since we first married. Long before Lyme Disease, an Immune Deficiency Disorder, and Fibromyalgia, there was my Mental Illness to care for. I have Bipolar Disorder, which is a serious Mental Illness that requires constant monitoring and several medications to stay well.

From the very beginning, he had to keep an eye out for signs and symptoms. Ask gently if I had taken my medication and help me deal with my depression when the Black Dog moved in.

One of the things I asked from the very beginning was for him to sit in on my appointments with my Psychiatrist. I wanted him to understand how sick I was and hear it from the doctor, to hear me talk to the doctor. This would prove immensely helpful in the years to come.

One critical step my husband took is put my health before his career, it was a huge guilt trip for me. He passed up promotions and great opportunities to travel so that I would not be home alone. Just last week his boss asked all of the VP’s to lunch and he had to decline due to the rising cases of Omacrom. Ouch, that burns sometimes!

I don’t know what I would have done over the past 23 years without his sacrifices. If you have a chronic illness make sure you are transparent in the struggle and what may be required of them. If a dating relationship can’t withstand that challenge then a marriage certainly won’t.

Melinda

Repost

“You mourn the life he was supposed to have”: a family’s unfolding Lyme story
Chronic Illness · Chronic Pain · Health and Wellbeing · Lyme Disease · Men & Womens Health · Tick Borne Illnesses

“You mourn the life he was supposed to have”: a family’s unfolding Lyme story

Looking for the Light4 Comments

Eight-year-old Ben Kuhl of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was once an energetic preschooler who loved exploring nature. But four years ago, a tick bite on a family hike changed all that.

At the time, doctors told his parents that as long as Ben’s tick bite did not have a bull’s-eye on it, he would be fine. But it soon became evident Ben was not fine.

According to his mother, LeeAnn, by the time he was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease, it had spread to all of his organs, including his brain.

He is only able to talk on some days, his motor functions have worsened, and he has painful inflammation throughout his body.

“You mourn the life that he was supposed to have, so you mourn the parent that you were supposed to be,” LeeAnn said.

Click to watch this report from WBTW:

https://www.wbtw.com/video/myrtle-beach-parents-strive-to-help-son-with-lyme-disease/10908489

Melinda

Why single-dose doxycycline after a tick bite is bad medicine
Chronic Illness · Chronic Pain · Health and Wellbeing · Lyme Disease · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Tick Borne Illnesses

Why single-dose doxycycline after a tick bite is bad medicine

Looking for the Light4 Comments

By Dr. Daniel Cameron

What if you did everything right after a tick bite—and still ended up sick?

That’s what happened to a 37-year-old woman who followed medical advice after a hike in New York’s Hudson Valley. She removed an engorged tick and went to urgent care. The provider gave her a single pill—200 mg of doxycycline—and told her it would prevent Lyme disease.

Weeks later, she developed brain fog, crushing fatigue, and joint pain. It turned out she did have Lyme disease, and possibly other tick-borne infections too.

Her case raises important ethical questions: Are patients being told enough? Are they being protected—or falsely reassured? And are we doing right by those who follow the rules?

The promise of a single pill after a tick bite

The CDC currently recommends a single dose of doxycycline after a tick bite in certain cases. The idea is simple: take the antibiotic early, and you might prevent Lyme disease from taking hold.

But there’s a catch: this one-pill approach was based on a small study published in 2001. It mostly looked at preventing the bull’s-eye rash—not the full illness.

What’s more, the study didn’t follow people long enough to detect cases of Lyme disease that develop without a rash, or cases involving co-infections like Babesia.

What this patient wasn’t told

This woman wasn’t warned about the limits of the single-dose strategy. She wasn’t told that:

It may not prevent the whole disease—just the rash.

It doesn’t protect against other infections ticks can carry.

It only works in very specific situations (right kind of tick, right timing, right area).

If symptoms appear later, Lyme disease testing can be unreliable.

Because she believed she was protected, she waited too long to seek further care—and her test came back negative at first, adding to the confusion.

By the time she arrived at my clinic, her illness had worsened.

Why This Isn’t Just a Medical Issue—It’s an Ethical One

1. Patients Deserve Full Information (Autonomy)

She should’ve been told that the one-pill approach isn’t a guarantee. Without all the facts, she couldn’t make a truly informed choice.

2. Care Should Be Tailored, Not Just Protocol (Beneficence)

She lived in a high-risk Lyme area. The tick was attached long enough to transmit disease. She might have benefited more from a longer antibiotic course. Instead, a “one-size-fits-all” approach failed her.

3. False Reassurance Can Do Harm (Non-Maleficence)

Believing she was safe delayed her diagnosis and treatment. That delay caused more suffering—and made recovery harder.

4. The System Isn’t Fair for Everyone (Justice)

This strategy doesn’t work well for kids under 8, pregnant women, or people who don’t have easy access to care. It assumes everyone knows what kind of tick bit them—and can get treatment within 72 hours. That’s not realistic for many.

What happened when she got the right help

When she finally got to my office, we ran new tests. Her Lyme Western blot confirmed infection. She also had symptoms of Babesia, a parasite that doxycycline doesn’t treat. On top of that, she had orthostatic intolerance (POTS), which had never been linked to her tick bite before.

With a more complete treatment plan—including antibiotics and supportive care—she began to feel better. But the road was longer than it needed to be.

Bottom line: A simple solution isn’t always the right one

The idea of “just one pill” sounds great—but it can create a false sense of safety. When patients aren’t told the full story, they lose the chance to make informed decisions. And when symptoms are dismissed, the consequences can last for months or even years.

We need to do better. That means:

  • Being honest about what the single-dose approach can and can’t do.
  • Offering follow-up when patients remain unwell.
  • Considering co-infections and other risks—not just following a checklist.

Because when it comes to Lyme disease, patients deserve more than a protocol. They deserve a plan.

Dr. Daniel Cameron is a nationally recognized expert in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. He is a past president of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society and a co-aauthor of the ILADS Lyme treatment guidelines. This blog first appeared on his website, danielcameronmd.com. He can also be found on Facebook.

Melinda

Blogger Highlight-Musings on Life with Fibromyalgia
Chronic Illness · Chronic Pain · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

Blogger Highlight-Musings on Life with Fibromyalgia

Looking for the Light9 Comments

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week I highlight Musings on Life with Fibromyalgia. Sarah is a tireless advocate for Fibromyalgia and she breaks down the chronic illness is a way that everyone can understand. She also shares her experiences and what’s she’s learned along her journey.

   Musings on Life with Fibromyalgia

I’ve lived with fibromyalgia for around a decade now, made many mistakes along the way, but learnt a lot about how to manage the condition and this is what I’m keen to share with readers of this blog.

So, if you want to find out more about living with fibromyalgia and other chronic illness, how life can change and yet still be full of everyday joy, then that’s where this blog aims to help.

I hope at least some of my blog posts will resonate with you – happy reading!

Sarah

Questions Asked

What is your favorite post and why?

My favourite blog post is this one about journaling. I’ve always journaled on and off since my teenage years and I find it such a powerful tool, not just for dealing with chronic illness, but for navigating life’s challenges generally. There’s real magic that happens with a pen and a blank page and it’s often amazing what will spill out onto the page.

What inspired you to start a blog?

After being diagnosed fibromyalgia, I thought my life was over. Everything changed for me – job, finances, physical capabilities and relationships (through not being believed about this illness). I hit rock bottom. Fortunately, my doctor suggested a CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) course for chronic illness, which started to turn things around. I learned to meet myself where I was at the time (not where I used to be or where I wished I was) and create some new goals. 

Slowly but surely, over a period of several years, I began to rebuild my life. I then began to read blogs about fibro and chronic illness and was both informed and inspired by the content. From there, I thought that blogging would be a good way for me to share what I have learned. My blog is about the stuff that I wish that I’d known when I was first diagnosed with fibro. We get a lot of good medical information from health professionals. But where I struggled was with things like, how can I still lead a meaningful life when everything has been turned on its head? What can I do so that I don’t just give up and spend the rest of my life sitting on the sofa wishing things were different? My hope is that through the blog, I can share all of this with others who might be feeling as lost as I was in the beginning.

Published Work

Articles below have all been published in UK Fibromyalgia magazine.

February 2019 – Swimming, fibro and me

March 2020 – Gardening when you have Fibromyalgia

July 2019 – Reasons to Snuggle Up with a Book – the Value of Reading

2020 – Fibromyalgia Magazine – 20th Anniversary Issue

February 2020 – What I’ve Learned about Fibromyalgia from my Dogs

August 2020 – Fibromyalgia and the Perimenopause

September 2020 – My Experience of Lockdown Yoga

December 2020 – Chronic Pain and Rural Living

March 2021 – Benefits of Time Spent in Nature

April 2021 – Open Water Swimming when you have Fibromyalgia

April 2021 – Audiobooks

May 2021 – How Living with Fibromyalgia Might Change You as a Person

June 2021 – Childhood Symptoms that might have been Fibromyalgia

February 2022 – Navigating a Bad Fibro Day

July 2022 – Summertime Blues and Fibromyalgia – page 1 page 2

December 2022 – Anxiety, Fibro and the Festive Season

February 2023 – Experiencing Covid when you have Fibromyalgia

March 2023 – My Top Five Difficulties Living with Fibromyalgia

May 2023 – Reframing the Experience of Living with Fibromyalgia

She’s is also a contributor to The Mighty.

Stop by Sarah’s blog, read through her archives and be sure to say hello.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

 

Justin Timberlake reveals he has “relentlessly debilitating” Lyme disease
Chronic Illness · Chronic Pain · Health and Wellbeing · Lyme Disease · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Tick Borne Illnesses

Justin Timberlake reveals he has “relentlessly debilitating” Lyme disease

Looking for the Light2 Comments

Hear is a clear message to everyone! Lyme Disease is not picky who the host person is, everyone is prime picking for Lyme Disease’s.

Singer Justin Timberlake has revealed that he has Lyme disease, describing it as “relentlessly debilitating” both mentally and physically.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Timberlake explained that the diagnosis helped him understand why he was experiencing nerve pain, extreme fatigue, and sickness—even while performing on stage during his two-year Forget Tomorrow World Tour

Despite the challenges, he chose to continue touring, saying:

“I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going.”

He also shared that he had been reluctant to speak publicly about his health struggles, but wanted to be more transparent to avoid misinterpretation and to help others facing similar battles.

Timberlake joins a growing list of celebrities—including Justin Bieber and Bella Hadid—who have publicly discussed living with Lyme disease.

Melinda

More coverage:

The New York Times

People

How Cognitive Behavorial Therapy Can Help People With Fibromyalgia
Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

How Cognitive Behavorial Therapy Can Help People With Fibromyalgia

Looking for the Light7 Comments
  • New research has found that cognitive behavioral therapy may help people with fibromyalgia.
  • The researchers were able to identify differences between fMRI scans between participants as well as a significant reduction using survey-style tools. 
  • Experts are hopeful that these finding can help support patients and clients while reducing bias and barriers to care. 

For those in chronic pain, mental health supports are both vital and lack availability. A new study, published September 20 in Arthritis & Rheumatology, has found that the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be especially helpful for those living with fibromyalgia. 

The research—conducted by a team from Harvard, Norway, and Pittsburgh—included 114 participants and found that CBT was better at helping to reduce catastrophic thinking related to the disease. 

This was compared to people using educational materials alone.

Understanding catastrophizing, according to Dr. Chandler Chang (PhD), clinical psychologist and founder at Therapy Lab, is key to supporting people with a chronic illness like fibromyalgia.

“Let’s say you have fibromyalgia and you start thinking, ‘The rest of my life is going to be like this, my life is ruined, everything is going to suck after this.’ Those are examples of catastrophic thoughts that you might have,” Chang said.

How CBT can help with pain and catastrophic thoughts

The researchers used tools such as Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), BPI Pain Severity, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised (FIQR), and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), to assess participants alongside the scans. Once the participants participated in the imaging, they were either given eight weeks of CBT or educational materials about fibromyalgia and chronic pain. 

Those who received the CBT were provided weekly sessions across eight weeks.

The researchers used the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), a tool that is scored out of 52, to see how CBT could impact people with the condition. 

They found that those who received CBT therapy saw an average reduction of 8.7 points on the scale while those receiving educational materials saw a much lower drop of 4.6.

The team also used an fMRI scan and were able to see the impact of catastrophizing thoughts in the brain patterns. After the CBT, they could see evidence that changes in brain patterns coincided with people who benefited from CBT. 

Kelsey Bates (LPC), founder at Women’s CBT, says that catastrophizing is a particularly impactful element of both fibromyalgia and CBT treatment but that providing mental health support for those with chronic illness, in her practice, requires the use of trauma-informed tools.

“Reframing our thoughts is important. But we also need space to acknowledge the grief that might happen when people are going through a chronic illness or dealing with chronic pain,” Bates said. “There’s a level of acceptance that we have to figure out.”

Dr. Jeff Krauss, Chief Medical Officer at Hinge Health and Staff Physician at the VA of Palo Alto, says that this study could help reduce stigma and lead to better patient outcomes.

“One of the problems with chronic pain is that it’s very hard to see it. People used to get, and still do get, accused of faking their pain, because doctors will look and see that there’s nothing wrong with their back, or there’s nothing wrong with their knee… It’s really exciting that we can start to see it in the brain, and know that these feelings that people have are very real, even though it might not be correlated with tissue damage.”

Bates says that while “pain doesn’t discriminate” she also regularly sees clients who feel left behind by the medical system when it comes to the mental health side of chronic illness and chronic pain.

“I meet folks and they’ve felt really gaslit by medical providers, especially with fibromyalgia in particular, that they have heard the phrases like you just need therapy, you just need to relax, just manage your stress,” Bates said.

One of the stated limitations of the study was that, while fibromyalgia does disproportionately affect women, and all the participants were female, more work can and should be done to include both men and non-binary people in future research. 

Difficulty getting treatment for fibromyalgia

As for what comes next, Krauss says that while these results are encouraging they are still part of a larger picture that has many barriers to treatment for those experiencing these symptoms.

“I think until we have the ability at scale to do this very expensive imaging, and to find those interventions that can actually change the way the brain processes pain through some sort of pharmacologic intervention or something, through a drug, then we’re really left with a lot of these very foundational lifestyle changes that are so effective and necessary for treating chronic pain.”

Bates, meanwhile, says that her hope is that research like this can add to a more integrated approach when it comes to CBT, one that prioritizes trauma-informed care as well as other modalities like Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

“My personal outlook is that chronic illness and chronic pain is considered medical trauma…So I think it’s our clinical duty to provide a safe, warm therapeutic space that’s conducive to holding space for all of those things.”

Takeaway

A new study, published this week in Arthritis & Rheumatology, has found that the use of CBT can be especially helpful for those living with fibromyalgia.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-cognitive-behavorial-therapy-can-help-people-with-fibromyalgia?utm_term=feature&utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=fibro&utm_content=2025-07-22&apid=36735751&rvid=7f053d6ecf820dccd09e4914833cbd49bdfe95bb517404ee9b41601767d1bace#Difficulty-getting-treatment-for-fibromyalgia
California tops Terminix’s list of most tick-infested states
Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Lyme Disease · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Tick Borne Illnesses

California tops Terminix’s list of most tick-infested states

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With tick activity hitting alarming highs this summer, the pest control company Terminex has announced its first-ever comprehensive ranking of the Top 25 Most Tick-Infested U.S. States.

Based on proprietary 2024 pest management data, this report reveals which states are facing the greatest tick pressure and risk of tick-borne illnesses.

This first-of-its-kind list arrives at a critical time, offering homeowners and outdoor adventurers new insight into how geography and climate are shaping tick populations across the country.

States like California, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, and New York are at the top of this list due to their warm climates, high humidity and abundance of green spaces.

Notably, New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. rank as the top five tick-infested cities in the country, underscoring that even densely populated urban areas are not immune to tick activity.

Overall, the Northeastern region of the U.S. generally experiences the highest populations of ticks, with common species including the blacklegged tick and the American dog tick.

“This isn’t just a nuisance; tick activity is reaching new levels across the country, posing a serious and growing public health threat,” said Tom Dobrinska, Technical Service Manager at Terminix.

“Climate change continues to increase tick populations. As winters become milder and warm seasons increase in length, tick survival and risk for human exposure increase significantly.”

Top 10 most tick-infested states

  1. California
  2. Florida
  3. Texas
  4. Pennsylvania
  5. New York
  6. Georgia
  7. New Jersey
  8. Arizona
  9. Massachusetts
  10. Ohio

States most impacted by Lyme and other tick-borne diseases

While not all ticks carry illness-causing pathogens, disease risk can vary by tick species.

According to the CDC, Northeastern states like Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, as well as parts of the Upper Midwest, are often identified as the worst places for ticks in the U.S. due to their high rates of Lyme disease cases. Southeast and Southcentral U.S. might see more cases of ehrlichiosis or spotted fever rickettsiosis.

“Scientists and public health experts are constantly researching ticks to better understand the threats they pose,” said Dobrinska. “As these experts continue to monitor tick activity and disease spread, it is essential for the public to stay informed about the dangers and know how to prevent tick bites.”

Tips for tick prevention

To protect against tick bites and tick-borne illness, Terminix recommends the following steps:

  • Avoid tick-infested areas: Ticks prefer wooded areas with high grass and abundant leaf litter; wear long sleeves and pants whenever you plan to go on a hike or walk through forested areas.
  • Inspect yourself and pets: After returning home from being outdoors, conduct a full body check, especially under the arms, around the ears and on the back of the knees. Finding them before they bite will help prevent being infected with any diseases they may be carrying.
  • If you find a tick bite: Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. After removal, clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. It’s best to consult with a medical provider for extra precaution.

Click here for the full 2024 Tick Infestation Report.

Melinda

SOURCE: Terminex

The Many Ways to Healing By Guest Blogger Midwest Mary
Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Self-Care

The Many Ways to Healing By Guest Blogger Midwest Mary

Looking for the Light6 Comments

Mary provides a comprehensive list of ways to heal yourself naturally.

Stuffy nose, headache, upset tummy, and even obesity. There’s a pill for that. Modern medicine has discovered an endless list of pharmaceutical drugs to “cure” whatever ailment may come your way. We also have an extensive list of alternatives or complementary remedies to conventional medicine, most of which have been used for hundreds, if not … Continue reading

Melinda

Fibromyalgia Thoughts #1-Fat, Sex & Shame
Chronic Illness · Chronic Pain · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Fibromyalgia Thoughts #1-Fat, Sex & Shame

Looking for the Light3 Comments

I wrote this post many years ago, I think the last one written was #17. This was written during a difficult time when Fibro ruled my life. I haven’t had a bad flare in several months and I’m so thankful.

————-

I had to accept the loss of everyday control once diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I go to bed with plans for the next day, when the morning rolls around, I can’t get out of bed. In the past, I would beat myself up, feel shame and anger. 

A shower takes an hour, it’s painful and exhausting. Instead, I use hospital approved cleansing wipes to bathe on the days when I can’t handle the thought of a shower. I’m embarrassed to tell my husband. 

I shaved my head yesterday, taking care of my hair takes too much energy. I’m housebound, only doctors see me. My husband doesn’t say anything but I imagine the negative thoughts he has. Why can’t his wife be normal like others, why can’t we go out to eat, why don’t we have sex, I’m fat………the thoughts can consume. 

I can ask myself questions about why not shower every day, I don’t. It’s not productive, within my control and doesn’t help my health. Stress creates inflammation creates more pain. 

I pray a lot every day. 

Melinda

Tick threat shuts down Connecticut beach for the season
Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Infectious Diease · Lyme Disease · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Tick Borne Illnesses

Tick threat shuts down Connecticut beach for the season

Looking for the Light6 Comments

Pleasure Beach, a popular summer destination in Bridgeport, Connecticut, will remain closed for the entire 2025 season due to a serious tick infestation.

City officials, in consultation with state environmental and public health experts, made the call after discovering multiple tick species on the island, including the Asian longhorned tick—an invasive species that poses unique risks.

Unlike native ticks, this species can reproduce asexually, allowing a single female to spawn a full-blown infestation. Even more concerning, it can potentially carry serious pathogens.

While disappointing for beachgoers, the closure may benefit the island’s fragile ecosystem. Pleasure Beach is a critical nesting site for protected Audubon bird species, including the endangered piping plover.

With reduced human activity, conservationists expect a boost in nesting success and habitat restoration.

Bridgeport officials plan to conduct treatment and containment efforts throughout the summer, with the goal of reopening the beach in 2026.

Melinda

SOURCE: City of Bridgeport, CT

Emergency room visits for tick bites at record levels
Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Infectious Diease · Lyme Disease · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Tick Borne Illnesses

Emergency room visits for tick bites at record levels

Looking for the Light10 Comments

Emergency rooms nationwide are reporting a record-breaking increase in tick bite cases, according to new CDC data.

July 2025 is already surpassing previous highs set in 2017.

Director of the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Vector-Borne Disease and its TickEncounter Resource Center, Dr. Thomas Mather, and Dr. Tom Daniels joined the Morning Joe to discuss.

They say Lyme disease is still the top concern when it comes to tick bites, but note that ticks can transmit other pathogens as well.

With ticks being so plentiful right now, they say it’s likely that more people will end up getting sick from tick-borne infections.

Watch their interview here:

Melinda

Referrence:

https://www.lymedisease.org/er-visits-for-tick-bites/

Is Gabapentin a Narcotic or Controlled Substance?
Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

Is Gabapentin a Narcotic or Controlled Substance?

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Gabapentin isn’t a narcotic or federally controlled substance, but it is regulated and recognized as a controlled substance in certain states. 

Gabapentin is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat seizure disorders and neuropathic pain. 

Some people misuse the prescription medication alongside opioids to boost their effects, though this significantly increasesTrusted Source the risk of unintentional opioid poisoning and death. 

This has led several U.S. states to classify gabapentin as a controlled substance, with more potentially looking to do the same.

There have also been calls for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to classify the medication as a federally controlled substance, though some doctors disagree with such a move. 

Read on to find out more about gabapentin’s current classification status across the United States and the various side effects and risks of the medication.

What class of drug is gabapentin?

Gabapentin has been a federally noncontrolled substance since its FDA approval in 1993.

It’s typically used for epilepsy and nerve pain, a severe symptom that other prescription medications can often not manage.

But some states do control its use, labeling gabapentin as a Schedule 5 controlled substance.

Why does gabapentin’s drug class vary from state to state?

Although gabapentin isn’t controlled federally, some states have listed it as a controlled substance and therefore regulate its use.

That’s because there have been increasing reports of gabapentin being misused, whether by being combined with opioids or used alone for nonprescribed reasons. 

Some neurologists believe that stricter gabapentin regulation may lead to greater opioid use and make it harder for people with neuropathic pain to receive proper care. 

The following states classify gabapentin as a controlled substance: 

  • Alabama
  • Kentucky
  • Michigan
  • North Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia

Several other states require gabapentin prescriptions to be monitored, allowing authorities to detect potential misuse:

  • Connecticut
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • Nebraska
  • New Jersey
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Utah
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

These lists may be subject to change.

What side effects are possible when using gabapentin?

Gabapentin is generally well tolerated and safe for most people to use. But as with any medication, there’s a risk of side effects. Misuse can increase the risk of side effects.

Potential side effects include:

In rare cases, more serious side effects include:

If you experience any of the above symptoms, seek immediate medical attention or contact your local emergency services. 

Before taking gabapentin, tell your doctor if you:

What risks are possible when using gabapentin?

When first taking gabapentin, it’s best to be cautious when driving, using machinery, or drinking alcohol. The medication can cause drowsiness, which may affect your ability to do certain things, or have an adverse reaction when mixed with alcohol. 

But the biggest risks of gabapentin come when people take the medication with opioids, or if a person already has a substance use disorder. In these cases, there may be an increased risk of dependence or overdose. 

Serious breathing troubles can also occurTrusted Source in people with respiratory conditions, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, or related risk factors. 

Finally, there may be a higher risk of fetal cardiac abnormalities in pregnant people, according to a 2020 study. But the same study did not find evidence of a link between gabapentin use and major fetal abnormalities overall.

When to consult a doctor or other healthcare professional

Before taking any new medication, it’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional. 

Let them know if you currently take any opioid medication or medications for anxiety or sleep, or if you have any health conditions, such as breathing disorders, kidney disease, or diabetes.

It’s important to be honest about any drug or alcohol use or misuse. This will help your clinician determine whether gabapentin is safe for you, or if there’s a better alternative. 

The bottom line

While there have been calls to make gabapentin a controlled substance across the United States, there are currently only limitations in some states. 

Concerns revolve around its use alongside opioids and the potentially dangerous effects of this combination.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.healthline.com/health/is-gabapentin-a-narcotic?utm_term=roundup&utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=fibro&utm_content=2025-07-08&apid=36735751&rvid=7f053d6ecf820dccd09e4914833cbd49bdfe95bb517404ee9b41601767d1bace#medical-attention

Daily Writing Prompt
Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Looking for the Light11 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What are your daily habits?
View all responses

My life has changed so much because I have several chronic illness and I don’t leave the house that often. So my habits are a bit boring. The first thing is start the fireplace in my office, give the dogs a snack, eat breakfast and hit the computer to work on my blog. After the writing is done I play with the dogs, if needed do laundry and eat lunch and take a short nap.

I do any chores I can, spend time for self-care, make calls and at 4:30 I join my husband downstairs. A short time later we start working on dinner, watch the news and two shows we’ve recorded and then I’m off to bed an hour before bedtime so I can unwind and be relaxed when it’s time to sleep.

Its not a habit but each week there a couple of doctor apptoinments.

My life is the opposite of life before Lyme, cognitive impairment and agrophobia.

I keep looking for brighter and more exciting days.

Melinda

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Her 4 kids were born with Lyme. She wants to make sure that future kids won’t be
Chronic Illness · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Infectious Diease · Men & Womens Health · Tick Borne Illnesses

Her 4 kids were born with Lyme. She wants to make sure that future kids won’t be

Looking for the Light2 Comments

From the Tick Boot Camp podcast:

In this powerful, long-form interview, Kristina Bauer returns to the Tick Boot Camp Podcast to share her in-depth story of surviving decades of misdiagnosed Lyme disease — from childhood illness and misdiagnoses to motherhood, advocacy, and remission.

Diagnosed at age 40 after 32 years of medical dismissal, Kristina discusses her experience with congenital Lyme disease in her four children, postpartum Lyme flares, and her commitment to raising awareness through the Texas Lyme Alliance, Center for Lyme Action, and International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) Ambassadorship.

Her testimony covers essential ground: pediatric Lyme, maternal Lyme, psychiatric symptoms like Lyme rage, postpartum depression misdiagnosis, sexual transmission, and the need for insurance and diagnostic reform.

This episode is a masterclass in Lyme disease education and empowerment, especially for women, mothers, and families navigating complex Lyme journeys.

Key Topics Discussed

  • Early Lyme Exposure: Tick bites at age 8 in Illinois and decades of misdiagnosis (juvenile arthritis, Crohn’s, ulcers)
  • Chronic Symptoms: Sinus infections, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), fibromyalgia, neurological and psychiatric symptoms
  • Postpartum Lyme Flares: Crushing fatigue, misdiagnosed postpartum depression, and suicidal ideation risk
  • Congenital Lyme Disease: How all four of her children were born with Lyme and are now in remission
  • Mental Health Awareness: Lyme rage, mood swings, panic attacks, and the importance of therapy
  • Tick-Borne Disease Advocacy: Legislative work in Texas, ILADS, educating OB-GYNs, and pushing for proper diagnostic protocols
  • Medical System Failures: Inadequate Lyme testing, gaslighting, high insurance costs for chronic illness
  • Lyme & Pregnancy Research Study: An open call for pregnant individuals diagnosed with Lyme disease during their current pregnancy, OR with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) in the past 5 years.

Tick Boot Camp is available on all major podcast platforms. You can also listen here.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.lymedisease.org/kristina-bauer-podcast/

Daily Writing Prompt
Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Looking for the Light3 Comments
Daily writing prompt
How do you want to retire?
View all responses

How I thought retirement would happen is the opposite of how it actually happened. My granny had two major strokes which caused Dementia and she became violent regularly. I made a promise to both of my grandparents that I would make sure they could die at home which was their wish. After the first stroke, I would come over to allow gramps to run errands. This worked until the day it all fell apart.

He was at the grocery store and she thought he had left her at somebody’s house and wasn’t coming back. There’s no understanding or logical times when dealing with Dementia. I took the photos off the walls of my gramps, my father, myself, and her long-dead favorite dogs, nothing would bring her back to reality. I had to give her a sedative and it broke my heart.

The only way to calm her and keep her from trying to hurt herself was for gramps to be there.

I was semi-retired at this point but my grampa needed me every day to help. The reality is, I would not change one thing. I showed up, gave all I could four weeks on end and I has able to keep my promise to her about dying at home.

Melinda

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What Should You Know About Cortisone Shots?
Chronic Illness · Chronic Pain · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

What Should You Know About Cortisone Shots?

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Cortisone shots can help relieve joint inflammation. You may experience minor side effects.

Cortisone shots are injections that help relieve pain and inflammation in your joints, muscles, or connective tissue. They’re commonly used to manage symptoms of painful inflammatory conditions, such as:

Cortisone shots are fast-acting and can provide significant short-term pain relief for weeks to months. Although cortisone shots are generally safe, they do come with some potential risks.

Keep reading for an overview of everything you should know about cortisone shots.

How do cortisone shots work?

A cortisone shot helps relieve pain by reducing inflammation in a certain part of your body. The cortisone is delivered into the affected area with a thin needle. 

Cortisone is a type of molecule known as a corticosteroid, a precursor to the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is produced by your adrenal gland and plays many roles in your body, including suppressing the activity of your immune system.

Inflammation is your immune system’s way of protecting your body from injuries, foreign substances, or anything else potentially damaging. Inflammation releases various substances, including the hormones bradykinin and histamineTrusted Source. These hormones irritate nerves and send pain signals to your brain.

A cortisone shot reduces levels of molecules that stimulate inflammation. This can improve joint function and reduce stimulation of your nerves which leads to pain.

These shots often take effect within a few days, though some can be effective within a few hours, and can provide pain relief for up to several months depending on: 

  • the part of your body treated
  • the dose you receive
  • your individual response to the shot

What do cortisone shots treat?

Cortisone and other corticosteroid shots are used to treat a wide variety of inflammatory conditions involving joints, muscles, or connective tissues.

Shoulder pain

Corticosteroid injections can cause short-term improvements in frozen shoulder and shoulder impingements.

A 2015 study in American Family Physician found that over a period of 8 to 16 weeks, corticosteroid injections are more effective for managing frozen shoulder than oral corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and physical therapy. But the study found that the outcome between groups isn’t significant after a year. 

Osteoarthritis

Cortisone shots are often used to treat knee or hip osteoarthritis. 

For the knee, pain relief typically lasts for 1 to 2 weeks but may last up to 4 weeks.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of your median nerve that often causes tingling or pain in your hand. 

A 2017 reviewTrusted Source of studies suggests that corticosteroids can lead to short-term relief in about 45 out of 100 people.

Trigger finger

Trigger finger is the locking of a finger caused by inflammation of the tendons. 

The 2015 study mentioned earlier found 54 to 86 percent cure rates after corticosteroid injections.

Bursitis 

Bursitis is inflammation of small fluid-filled sacs called bursae found around your joints. 

Cortisone injections may help reduce this inflammation temporarily. Corticosteroid injections for the bursa around the head of your femur provide greater pain relief at 6 weeks and 3 months than physical therapy and pain relievers, but not after one year.

Are there any risks with cortisone shots?

Cortisone can travel into your bloodstream and cause full-body side effects. 

According to a 2019 review of studiesTrusted Source, the amount of cortisone that gets absorbed into your blood seems to vary significantly between people. But both joint and epidural injections can have effects that last for weeks.

There’s also some evidence from a 2020 study that a single shot can increase your risk of developing infectious diseases, such as the flu.

In rare cases, an improperly performed injection can lead to nerve damage.

Are there any side effects from cortisone shots?

The most common side effects of steroid injections include:

Rarer but potentially serious side effects include:

How much does a cortisone shot cost?

Cortisone shots typically cost roughly $100 to 300 but can be more than $1,000. Your insurance may cover some or all of the cost. 

The exact cost that you pay out of pocket for a cortisone shot varies widely between clinics and depends on: 

  • the clinic you visit
  • where you live
  • what type of shot you get

Medicare reports that patients pay an average of $84 for injections of therapeutic substances, such as cortisone, when performed at a non-hospital facility. The average price at a hospital is $146.

What’s the procedure for a cortisone shot?

Here’s what you can expect when you get a cortisone injection:

  1. Depending on what part of your body is being treated, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown.
  2. A doctor or specialist will clean the area around the injection site with alcohol wipes and wait for the alcohol to dry.
  3. The doctor or specialist will likely apply a spray or anesthetic to numb the pain.
  4. They will make an injection with a thin needle. You may feel some pressure, but most people don’t experience a significant amount of discomfort or pain.

Are there supplementary treatments for cortisone shots?

Supplementary treatment options vary depending on your particular issue. Some options may include:

Are there alternatives to cortisone shots?

A doctor may be able to recommend alternative treatments for your condition. For some issues like chronic knee pain, surgery may be the best option.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection is an experimental treatment that may help you manage joint pain. More research is needed to understand their potential benefit.

Hyaluronic injections are also sometimes used to treat knee pain when cortisone shots aren’t effective.

The takeaway

Cortisone shots are used to treat a wide variety of inflammatory conditions affecting your joints or other parts of your musculoskeletal system. They’re generally safe, but they can cause side effects that either affect the treated area or your whole body.

Discuss the pros and cons with a doctor beforehand. Depending on your condition, there may be alternative treatment options that have fewer side effects or are cheaper.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.healthline.com/health/cortisone-shot?utm_term=feedcontent&utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=fibro&utm_content=2025-06-03&apid=36735751&rvid=7f053d6ecf820dccd09e4914833cbd49bdfe95bb517404ee9b41601767d1bace#takeaway
Emerging tick species in CT found to carry rare bacteria that can be deadly, officials say
Chronic Illness · Chronic Pain · Health and Wellbeing · Infectious Diease · Lyme Disease · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Tick Borne Illnesses

Emerging tick species in CT found to carry rare bacteria that can be deadly, officials say

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HARTFORD, Conn. — An invasive tick species in Connecticut has been found to carry the bacteria that can cause ehrlichiosis in humans, a discovery that has alarmed state biologists as the tick continues to increase its spread throughout the state.

Longhorned ticks, an emerging invasive species in the state, have now been found to carry the bacteria that causes ehrlichiosis. The bacteria, while rare in Connecticut, has been found in the state for a while, according to Dr. Goudarz Molaei, a state entomologist with the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station.

Between 2001 and 2019, the number of cases of the bacteria increased from 142 to 2,093, a roughly 15-fold rise. Only two erlichiosis cases were recorded in Connecticut between 2008 and 2018, however, 28 cases were reported in the state between 2019 and 2023, according to CAES data.Expand article logo  

“This is concerning because before we only saw this bacteria present in the lone star tick, this is the first case detected in the longhorned tick,” Molaei said. “What is concerning about this is that the longhorned tick doesn’t need a mate to reproduce. So it has the potential to spread quickly and we already are seeing that as its population increases.”

Longhorned ticks primarily reproduce through a process called parthenogenesis, where females can lay viable eggs without mating to reproduce. This means a single female tick can create an entire population without a male partner, increasing the risks of rapid spread, Molaei said.

“This is very unusual and something we don’t see too often,” Molaei said. “So far this is the only tick in the United States that has this ability to reproduce without a mate. In other animals like arthropods and certain vertebrae, parthenogenesis has been reported, but it’s still very rare.”

Molaei said that a rise in ehrlichiosis cases is expected in the future. The bacterial infection can be a serious illness, though most cases are not fatal with prompt treatment. Untreated, it can lead to severe complications like organ damage, brain problems and even death. There is no vaccine available, but antibiotics are the traditional course of treatment, he said.

The invasive ticks are not native to the United States and are considered an exotic species. They originally were found in tropical environments in Asia before being detected in the U.S. in 2017. Since its initial discovery, the longhorned tick has expanded into at least 21 states, primarily in the East and Northeast, as well as the District of Columbia, according to CAES. The species was first detected in Connecticut in 2018.

In both its native and invasive range, the longhorned tick is known to transmit a wide variety of pathogens, Molaei said. Researchers have found evidence of infection in field-collected specimens in the U.S. with pathogens that cause Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Bourbon virus disease and theileriosis. However, it is still unknown if the tick can spread many of these disease agents.

“What is also unusual about this species is that we have shown this tick is capable of attaching and detaching with partial blood feeding,” Molaei said. “Most ticks will stay on a host until they are fully engorged, so this increases the risks of disease transmission. Unfortunately these ticks co-exist with lone star ticks, and to make the matter worse, both of these ticks feed on white tail deer. Deer can act as a reservoir for the bacteria that causes ehrlichiosis. Longhorned ticks can pick up the bacteria after feeding on an infected deer.”

The tick species is now found scattered throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties, according Molaei. However, their range is expected to increase its range further northward. Last year, the ticks were identified in Fairfield, New London, Middlesex and New Haven counties, according to data from CAES.

“As the climate changes, we expect to see this species further north into New England and Canada,” Molaei said. “We are fortunate that. at least for the time being, the population is rather patchy in Fairfield and New Haven counties. It is not widespread yet, but eventually it will become more widespread, and that is where the concern increases.”

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/emerging-tick-species-in-ct-found-to-carry-rare-bacteria-that-can-be-deadly-officials-say/ar-AA1FDjJX