Carrie - MySeveralWorlds - Artist, Author, Advocate

"Me trying to swallow all the new info that my doctor just gave me." Credit: MySeveralWorlds.com #MySeveralWorlds #ChronicIllnessConfessions #ChronicMemes #ChronicHumor Image of a chipmunk stuffing a nut into his mouth.

"Me trying to swallow all the new
info that my doctor just gave me."

Credit: MySeveralWorlds.com

#MySeveralWorlds #ChronicIllnessConfessions #ChronicMemes #ChronicHumor

Continuing to engage w/ someone who is toxic to us, even if we're right, even if no one else is challenging them, at the expense of our safety & stability is a trap.

There is NO argument or interaction, especially on the internet, worth sacrificing our safety & stability over.

"Normal platitudes, which can mostly be summed up as "This too shall pass", don't apply when you have a treatment-resistant, severely disabling disease that will last your entire life." Credit @alexandrite113 #DisablingDisease #LifeWithDisability #ProgressiveIllness #DisabledLife #MySeveralWorlds

"Normal platitudes, which can mostly be summed up as "This too shall pass", don't apply when you have a treatment-resistant, severely disabling disease that will last your entire life."
Credit @alexandrite113
#DisablingDisease #LifeWithDisability
#ProgressiveIllness #DisabledLife #MySeveralWorlds

"People talk about budgeting for rent, groceries, travel. #ChronicIllness budgeting looks like: meds, doctor copays, emergency appointments, delivery food on flare days, heating pads, supplements, backup plans. All of it just to function." Credit @chronic.resources #ChronicTruths #MySeveralWorlds #ChronicPainWarrior #ChronicLife

"People talk about budgeting for rent, groceries, travel. #ChronicIllness budgeting looks like: meds, doctor copays, emergency appointments, delivery food on flare days, heating pads, supplements, backup plans. All of it just to function."

Credit @chronic.resources
#ChronicTruths #MySeveralWorlds

How to measure pain in a culture sensitive way is an vital first step in research. Most pain measurements were developed in Western cultures. (McGill Pain Questionnaire) Most words were suitable for Chinese populations but some were difficult to translate.
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buff.ly/JmNNvE7

What people think PTSD is 👉Not being able to move on after a traumatic event ❗What #PTSD actually is ✔️ Unwanted memories ✔️ Anxiety/depression ✔️ Negative self-image ✔️ Excessive blame ✔️ Hypervigilance ✔️ Dissociation ✔️ Emotional distress ✔️ Easily scared ✔️ Sense of threat ✔️ Intrusive thoughts ✔️ Avoidance/isolation ✔️ Memory problems ✔️ Anger, guilt & shame ✔️ Flashbacks ✔️ Nightmares ✔️ Sleeping problems ✔️ Self-destructive behaviors Credit: @what.is.mental.illness #MySeveralWorlds #MentalHealthMatters

What people think PTSD is

👉 Not being able to move on after a traumatic event

❗What #PTSD actually is
MANY THINGS YOU NEVER REALIZE until you start addressing it.

Credit: @what.is.mental.illness

#MySeveralWorlds #MentalHealthMatters

It is. I just stick to my lane and not get drawn into other things. It's not that I don't care. I just don't have the energy to focus on anything other than my burning dumpster fire 'health' and the sick friends who are in it with me..

I don't know how to feel about having disability transportation for the hospital on Mon. I'm all over the place. Mostly anxious! Once I get off in my wheelchair I need to deal with two social workers at the hospital (in a second language), do blood, and see my rheumy. It's a lot.

Three women in Taiwan are holding up my Taiwan orchid and Taiwan ikebana postcards sets from MySeveralWorlds.com

That feeling you get when you know your fans are just as happy with your art as you are. Thank you, Sue! I love you!

I have ONE postcard set (6) left. It's a Taiwan orchids set. Let me know if you want it. They sold out fast this year!
#TaiwanArtist #TaiwanArt #FloralArt #Ikebana #MySeveralWorlds

Thank goodness for it otherwise I would have no interaction at all.

😯😳

18 years and I still do it. You are not alone!

Can I Call Myself a “Pain Specialist?” Who defines the role of pain specialists? Inside the legal requirements for practitioners.

"There is a severe shortage of pain specialists with approximately 30,000 Americans in pain for every board certified pain specialist. This shortage is caused by a difficult path to specializing in pain treatment plus negative public scrutiny."
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www.practicalpainmanagement.com/resources/et...

When you've experienced all of it and people don't understand how much it effed you up... SOME POSSIBLE CAUSES OF MEDICAL TRAUMA... ✔️ Near death experiences ✔️ Distressing hospitalizations ✔️ Repeated mistreatment by medical professionals ✔️ Receiving a life-changing diagnosis ✔️ Aggressive treatments ✔️ Having your symptoms repeatedly ignored or dismissed ✔️ Repeated invasive procedures ✔️ Unexpected complications ✔️ Being discriminated against due to your age, ethnicity, or appearance ✔️ Being gaslit or misdiagnosed ✔️ Being intubated ✔️ Major surgeries and ICU stays ✔️ Prolonged illness ✔️Emergency medical interventions #MedicalGaslighing #MedicalTrauma #CPTSD #PTSD

When you've experienced all of it and people don't understand how much it effed you up...

SOME POSSIBLE CAUSES OF MEDICAL TRAUMA...

Credit to the amazing
@chronicloveclub.bsky.social ❤️

#MedicalGaslighing #MedicalTrauma #CPTSD #PTSD

You Don't Have to be Strong, Just a Little Stronger Than Before Sometimes telling ourselves to be brave invokes fear. Here's why you don't have to be strong, just a little stronger than before.

"We often tell ourselves or others to be strong. Instead of instilling inspiration... it becomes another standard we have to meet. You don’t have to be strong all the time. One small step forward is still a powerful act." Via @achronicvoice.com
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www.achronicvoice.com/2018/05/13/y...

#ChronicPain

#Fibromyalgia is Noise Sensitivity Smell Sensitivity Chemical Sensitivity Envionment Sensitivity Weather Sensitivity Sensory Sensitivity Medication Sensitivity Skin Sensitivity Touch Sensitivity Taste Sensitivity Food Sensitivity Credit Unknown #MySeveralWorlds #LifeWithPain #ChronicPainIs #SupportFibro #TeamFibro #FibroNerds

#Fibromyalgia is
Noise Sensitivity
Smell Sensitivity
Chemical Sensitivity
Envionment Sensitivity
Weather Sensitivity
Sensory Sensitivity Medication Sensitivity
Skin Sensitivity
Touch Sensitivity
Taste Sensitivity
Food Sensitivity
Credit Unknown
#MySeveralWorlds #LifeWithPain #FibroNerds
#ChronicPain

8 Ways Chronic Pain Changes You There are many ways chronic pain changes you, but today I’m focusing on eight basic facts about life with pain. "Pain is not weakness. Pain is toughing it out each day when you feel your worst. It’s humbling to live w #pain. We adapt & grow in the darkest corners of our lives. Getting through each day IS the miracle. YOU are the miracle!" 8 Ways #ChronicPain Changes You 🔗 https://www.myseveralworlds.com/2022/09/24/8-ways-chronic-pain-changes-you/

#ChronicPain Changes You

"Pain is not weakness. Pain is toughing it out each day when you feel your worst. It’s humbling to live w #pain. We adapt & grow in the darkest corners of our lives. Getting through each day IS the miracle. YOU are the miracle!"
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www.myseveralworlds.com/2022/09/24/8...

"Metaphors are keys for opening the doors to understanding, for illustrating concepts that the average person is able to relate to.
Despite living w #ChronicIllness for 20+ years, I realise that there is still so much I don’t know about." 
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buff.ly/3B1Edyl
Via @achronicvoice.com

I smile through the pain…nausea…exhaustion…I have really bad days and those far outnumber the good. They can be absolutely awful… I’d give anything for a cure but since that’s not reality now—I play the hand I was dealt.”
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buff.ly/3vPhveX #CRPS

via @apainprincess.bsky.social

Aging and Chronic Illness I turned 70 last year, and it hit me hard. My 50's are a blurry memory of heart attacks, heavy fatigue, copious medical tests, days on the sofa or in bed, pain, new diagnoses and watching my life...

Our senior years is getting a whole bunch of discounts. Whether it's #ChronicIllness or aging, so much gets taken away. The segue into aging WITH chronic illness leaves you punched in the gut, breathless, wanting & yearning for what used to be."
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www.pajamadaze.com/blog/aging-a...

👉 Yes I have. Housebound for 10 years. The only person I see regularly is my doctor. "Have you ever thought of what it would feel like to be stuck in your house for 10 years, and the only people you get to see, you have absolutely nothing in common with? No new thoughts, no new ideas, nothing new you haven't heard before. Everything is grey. Everything is frozen. The same day repeats 10,000 times over. You are still the same, and nothing changes." Credit: @tink_ina #pwME #MEAwarenessHour #MEAwareness #MySeveralWorlds

👉 Yes I have. Housebound for 10 years. The only person I see regularly is my doctor.

"Have you ever thought of what it would feel like to be stuck in your house for 10 years, and the only people you get to see, you have absolutely nothing in common with?" Via @tink_ina
#MEAwarenessHour #MEAwareness

Frida painting her torso cast. "I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration." ~Frida Kahlo Credit: #MySeveralWorlds #ArtTherapy #PainReliefTips #FridaKahlo

"I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration." ~Frida Kahlo

Credit: #MySeveralWorlds

#ArtTherapy #PainReliefTips #FridaKahlo

"If arthritis could be cured with diet and supplements, 1 in 5 of us would NOT be living with the exquisite agony of arthritis!" ~Carrie Kellenberger, My Several Worlds Did you know I've got an apparel collection for arthritis, fibro and Spoonie folks? Check out my back to school duds in the comment section. I love wearing this t-shirt. People always stop to read it. Get yours here: https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Arthritis-Be-Cured-by-MySeveralWorlds/156276725.K3JRX

"If arthritis could be cured with diet and supplements, 1 in 5 of us would NOT be living with the exquisite agony of arthritis!" ~Carrie, #MySeveralWorlds

Did you know I've got apparel for arthritis, fibro & Spoonie folks? I love wearing this t-shirt! Get it here: www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Ar...

Being Refused Treatment by AE

"Sharp pain struck & I knew. After 4 hours, it was time. A well rehearsed routine on auto pilot. I put on a sweater. In went water, phone, a powerbank, my wallet & a bag w zippers; you don’t want things falling out."
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Via @achronicvoice.com

Noooo! 😂😂😂😂😂

Yup. And they are all popping off at high intensity today. It started late last night. "Most painful points in fibromyalgia: [neck, brain, hands, hips, front of skull, behind the knees, SI joints and lower back, feet, elbows, shoulders, in front of the knees, sternum and chest] Credit Unknown 👉 They forgot the tears on my face! 😭 #FibromyalgiaAwareness #CPP #ChronicPainIs #MySeveralWorlds #SupportFibro

Yup. And they are all popping off at high intensity today. It started late last night.

"Most painful points in
fibromyalgia:

Credit Unknown

👉 They forgot the tears on my face! 😭

#FibromyalgiaAwareness #CPP #ChronicPainIs #MySeveralWorlds
#SupportFibro

Primary Insomnia: A Lifelong Problem | Psychiatric Times When provided with an array of treatment options, patients tend to feel a sense of ownership by playing a role in their care.

My #insomnia was diagnosed in uni.

"Primary insomnia is a type of chronic insomnia as defined by the ICSD-III. It tends to recur for many years throughout a person’s life. This type of insomnia is usually idiopathic... It can be impacted by stress."
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www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/primary...

Primary Insomnia: A Lifelong Problem | Psychiatric Times When provided with an array of treatment options, patients tend to feel a sense of ownership by playing a role in their care.

My #insomnia was diagnosed in uni.

"Primary insomnia is a type of chronic insomnia as defined by the ICSD-III. It tends to recur for many years throughout a person’s life. This type of insomnia is usually idiopathic... It can be impacted by stress."
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www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/primary...

They’re young, they look healthy, but they need a seat on the train. This is why These young adults suffer from autoimmune diseases whose symptoms are not often visible, leading to misconceptions and judgement. How do they navigate work, relationships and life in general while end...

Young adults in Singapore: “Even if I were to wear the #disability lanyard, I’m...sceptical people would give up their seat for me.”
Pang is 25. He has #AnkylosingSpondylitis.

We have many similar stories in #Taiwan with 'Who gets a disability seat?'
🔗 www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/...

What doctors wish patients knew about rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis remains an enigmatic and debilitating condition, affecting millions. Two rheumatologists share how to manage this disease.

“A lot of people think that #RheumatoidArthritis is just bad #arthritis, and it’s not. It’s systemic. It can attack your lungs and kidneys and you can get vasculitis. The chances of going into remission are very low, probably less than 5%."
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www.ama-assn.org/delivering-c...