Managing Somatic Symptom Disorder Inside a Multitude of Chronic Illnesses

Colby has 11 chronic illness and mental health diagnoses. These include chronic pain (currently diagnosed as fibromyalgia), PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), asthma, IBS, eczema, PTSD, depression, anxiety, bipolar, ADHD and somatic symptom disorder. That last diagnosis might be the least well-known of Colby’s illnesses. According to psychiatry.org, “somatic symptom disorder Read more…

Transposition of the Great Arteries: My Blood Flows Backwards

Like many babies born with transposition of the great arteries, Amelia was born blue. Her blood was not circulating to her entire body because the two main arteries leading blood away from her heart were switched, sending blood in the wrong direction. She was immediately helicoptered to a larger hospital Read more…

Doctors Fractured Her Neck During Childbirth, Then Gaslit Her for Years

In 1998 Bella was severely injured during childbirth. Her doctor accidentally stepped on the pedal to raise the table she was strapped to during a C-section, causing her feet to raise and neck to lower. She immediately complained of extreme neck pain, but was sent home in a disassociated state 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…