October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month!

Oct 3, 2016

Dysautonomia Awareness Month is here!

I am being quite active this year. I don’t think I was even really aware of it last year, or if I was, I was still kind of embarrassed and confused by my diagnosis so I definitely wasn’t as active and excited about it. But this year, oh my goodness! If you are following me on Facebook or Instagram, or both, you have probably been quite surprised in the uptick of my postings and the sheer amount of turquoise.

By the way, dysautonomia’s official awareness color is turquoise! And, if you also weren’t aware, that is one of my favorite colors and has been for years now, so it’s an awesome coincidence and just makes this even better!!!! ALL THE TURQUOISE! *cough sputter* Sorry about that.

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Nausea and Dysautonomia

Jul 25, 2016

Today, Dysautonomia International shared an article to their Facebook about nausea and vomiting, and how the two don’t always go hand in hand and how they tied to the nervous system. The text that accompanied D.I.’s post points out that nausea is a common symptom for dysautonomia patients.

As many of you know, I have been suffering with chronic nausea for years. Lately, it’s been so bad that, at times, I struggle to eat. That’s actually part of why my GI decided to do the colonoscopy. As of my last appointment, he didn’t believe I had primary gastroparesis, but he did say I definitely have what is called “delayed gastric emptying” which is caused by my whole system running slow so it tells my stomach to stop working. Very similar, but different causes. He is thinking he might do more testing though, later, just to be sure.

I am wondering if the reason my nausea is so bad is because it has multiple causes?

Anyway, I found the article extremely interesting and really wanted to share:

Nausea and Vomiting: Not Always in Sync by Pharmacy Times

Why I Haven’t Been Posting: Migraines & Pain

Jun 8, 2016

Today is the first day in a VERY long time that I haven’t had a migraine by this time (5pm). I have been suffering from nearly daily migraines for weeks, and denying it. Denying it with excuses: “I’m on my period, I’ve always gotten them every day of my period week” (pretty much true), “my allergies are just really bad, so it must be a crazy sinus headache” (obviously, I like lying to myself as well as Dan), “I’m tired,” “I have eyestrain,” “I can cope,” etc. However, after my back seized up and my pain went out of control, I couldn’t deny them anymore. I finally called Dr K (the neurologist that had given me the medication that is supposed to be stopping my headaches and controlling my pain) and left a message with his medical assistant. Hopefully, I’ll hear back and either be able to get in with another appointment or be told to raise the dosage and the headaches will stop. I forgot to mention the side effects on the message though, ugh. I didn’t realize that until I was typing this out.

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I Didn’t Pass Out

Apr 29, 2016

Thankfully.

I was out of LabCorp just after noon. As soon as I got to my car I chugged my Ensure and took my medications. By the time I got the DMV (I had to get plates for the Ford), my medication was starting to kick in. I didn’t get home until after one. Thankfully, I had some leftover ravioli in the fridge and it happens to be a cheese day so I was able to eat it (they have Parmesan which is an aged cheese) for a late lunch, and now I’m feeling a lot better. Now, off to work on more homework for the end of the semester.

Burn Out

Mar 28, 2016

My house is burning out: both Dan and I are burning out, actually. We’re both pushed pretty far towards our limits and both our burn outs are feeding into each other. It’s not a good situation really, but luckily we have each other and the little strength we each have left is stronger together. Dan is really busy with school, and work, and the stuff around the house that I can’t do, and the home improvement stuff that I can’t do, and taking care of me. I’m busy with school, and the stuff around the house that I can do, and trying to get the stuff done for making money that I want to do, and trying to figure out how not to be in so much pain, and all my doc appointments, and dealing with side effects, and getting over a head cold, and trying to figure out what I can actually do around the house, and trying to make sure I have the spoons I need for the commitments in the coming days.

The burn out is really why I haven’t been on here. I’ve just been trying to survive right now. It’s been harder than it sounds. Hopefully, things will start to equal out soon.

“Official Uniform of the Dysautonomia Warrior” – another shirt and two questions

Mar 14, 2016

Official Uniform of the Dysautonomia Warrior T-shirt by FindingTheSilverSun
Make your own custom t shirts online at Zazzle

I found a pretty and comfortable looking tee shirt! (It says it’s made out of very soft materials.) I’m thinking it’ll probably be great for lounging around the house in the summer.

What kinds of merchandise do you think will work well with this design? I have a basic sweatshirt and now this tee.

What other illnesses/conditions do you think I should make this design for? (Example: “Official Uniform of the Fibromyalgia Warrior”)

Humorous Dysautonomia Sweatshirt

Mar 14, 2016

I was clicking around Zazzle trying to figure out some new products that I wanted to make, and was struck with a rather silly idea:

People with dysautonomia often do not have the ability to wear what they used to or necessarily want to. Many of us are forced to choose comfort over any sort of style.

This idea ultimately led to these:

Official Uniform of the Dysautonomia Warrior T Shirt by FindingTheSilverSun
Look at Dysautonomia T-Shirts online at Zazzle.com

Official Uniform of the Dysautonomia Warrior T Shirt by FindingTheSilverSun
See other Dysautonomia T-Shirts at zazzle

What do you think?!

See other shirts

Some New Dysautonomia Zazzle Products

Feb 22, 2016

I made a few new dysautonomia products on Zazzle. I’m going to be making more today and will hopefully be making more consistently. For now, the designs are still pretty simple. But I wanted to show you some new products and get some more feedback 🙂

Check out the Chronic Illness section of my Zazzle store regularly for new designs and products! Click here to see the products!

P.O.T.S and the Process for Someday Getting Pregnant

Feb 1, 2016

I went to see a high-risk obstetrician today for a preconception consultation. I AM NOT PREGNANT!!! ⇐ Just needed to throw that on there so people wouldn’t freak out 😛

Why did I go see the high-risk OB? Because of my POTS.

Someday, and someday hopefully fairly soon, I want to be a mother. To me, this is not an optional part of my life. I have wanted to be a mother more than anything for as long as I can remember. I would play house with my friends, and always be the mother (or father, since I was so tall). The only thing I know for sure that I need for myself out of this life is to be a mother and loving wife.

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Jan 12, 2016

I wanted to share a few photos from our trip to Beaver Creek with the in-laws 🙂 The people that went were: Becky (my mother-in-law), Shelby (sister-in-law), Jimmy (Shelby’s boyfriend), Dave (brother-in-law), Claire (Dave’s roommate), Dan, and myself. We got up there Saturday afternoon, and just hung out at the condo and had a nice dinner. Sunday (Jan 3) we went ice skating, then went tubing at Vail. Monday we went skiing. Tuesday we checked out about 10 and drove home!