Years After Being Propped Up as a Bipolar Success Story, Genevieve Questions the Messaging She Was Directed To Share

As a senior in high school, Genevieve won an essay contest writing about the changes she’d like to see with the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder. This brought her to the attention of a foundation aimed at raising bipolar awareness, and at 19 years old she began touring with a state Read more…

Country Music Rising Star Annie Vander on Her Battle With CRPS

Annie Vander is a country music up-and-comer, who’s latest single ‘Falling into Nashville’ has been featured on the Music Row Country Breakout Chart. Just a few years ago Annie had no idea that her lifelong musical dreams were about to come true. She had built a career working with animals, Read more…

Recovering from Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Through Neural Rewiring

While working as a hairstylist, Merideth was repeatedly exposed to chemicals that released formaldehyde. Eventually her health collapsed, and she found herself unable to continue working. Doctors recommended avoiding future exposure, but this proved insufficient as Meredith’s issues with chemical sensitivity began to expand exponentially. She became chronically ill, housebound Read more…

Level 10 Pain, the Mayo Clinic, Aphasia and Sarcoidosis: Claudia’s Journey So Far

Claudia Alick is an activist and influencer with a transmedia social justice practice, creating spaces for entertainment, education and empowerment by and for marginalized communities. While working as a disability advocate in 2009, Claudia found themself suddenly experiencing what they describe as mysterious level 10 pain, accompanied by mobility issues Read more…

Fiction Writer Emma G. Rose Incorporates Chronic Illness Experience in New Novel

In her new novel On the Bank of Oblivion, author Emma G. Rose explores her own history with chronic illness through the lens of contemporary fantasy. At 16 Emma was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), now referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). It all started with a tickle in Read more…

Complex Regional Pain Disorder: My Pain is like a Petulant Child

Pris is a 4th generation circus performer and entertainer who has worked in costume design and staged weapon play. She grew up as a very physical child, filling her days with dancing, baseball, basketball and more. She was familiar with the feeling of a normal bone break, and the subsequent Read more…

Finally Diagnosed: Her Genetic Condition Hid in Plain Sight for Decades

When Ashley scheduled an interview for the Major Pain podcast to discuss her chronic illness, she was prepared to talk about living with an undiagnosed disease. But to her shock, just weeks before recording her interview, a rheumatologist officially confirmed a diagnosis. Ashley found herself looking back on her life Read more…

Living with Celiac Disease, Chronic Migraines, Covid Complications, Fibromyalgia and more

Kristin has lived with pain since she was 9 years old, a journey that has taken her through chronic migraines, celiac disease, covid complications and remaining medical mysteries. As a child she would experience tingling pain in her head, often accompanied by visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting. Shortly after these Read more…

The Link Between Childhood Abuse and Endometriosis: A Survivor’s Personal Account

Amanda grew up experiencing constant trauma. Her mother was deeply abusive, to the point that Amanda’s father was given custody at 6 years old. He moved the family to California and joined a religious cult, where Amanda would continue to suffer abuse with nowhere to turn. Having lived through emotional, Read more…

Living with Two Invisible Conditions: Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos (HEDS) and Autism

Brandy grew up knowing she was different. She struggled both socially and physically, having problems picking up social cues while constantly experiencing injuries and joint dislocations. When seeking help she was disbelieved, shrugged off, or accused of drug seeking behavior. Brandy tried to push through and be strong, but her Read more…