Hello,

I've been hyper busy this month, powering through what little spoons I have while sick with a head cold and working 40+ hours a week as well as interviewing for other jobs and getting my driving license. I'm not sure how I'm still able to get out of bed at this point, but I know I have to. I have bills to pay and I can't do that unless I work.

Regards,
Shannon G.

Help support me by buying my art

Hello.

Sorry my posting has been lacking as of late. I've been having some flare ups lately that have left me not doing much other than a handful of tasks a day. Once I find another topic, I will post.

Regards,
Shannon G.

Hello!

I'm letting you guys know that it is Fibromyalgia Awareness Week in the UK! 

Here are some helpful links as well:

Official Awareness Bands

TFC Purple Pain Code Awareness Bands

Start trending #Fibromyalgia on twitter!

FibroAction

For those in the US, we can make this a reality too although the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association has only an awareness day set (May 12).

Get word out there, spread some knowledge and some awareness.

Regards, 

Shannon G.

 

Hello!

Today I'm bringing you this smartphone app for chronic pain. It's called My Pain Diary, it's a chronic pain & symptom tracker.

You put your symptoms, pained areas and triggers into each entry and can also include notes and pictures and pain level (they have both a number scale and a smiley scale, I tend to use the smiley scale). It automatically records the weather conditions and you can star certain entries or make them private and also share them with your doctors for your appointments. 

It also allows you to customize where and why you're hurting.

You can set certain symptoms with colors/markers so it records all your symptoms on a graph, to see how they fluctuate. 

It's available on iPhone, iPad, and Android, and costs $4.99.

Regards, 

Shannon G.

Hello!
Today I'm bringing you some awareness necklaces. These are all from Corter Moon, who do a collection of specific fibromyalgia awareness jewelry.

Harmonious Hope Necklace
Handful of Hope Necklace
Spoonie Serenity Necklace
Musical Melodies of Hope Necklace

If you have any other shops that do this, please comments and share!
Regards,
Shannon G.

Hello.

Today I'm going to touch on something that's been relevant to me lately, depression. There are many studies that link fibromyalgia with depression as well that depression might be genetic.

WebMD, Fibro and Depression
Linking Fibromyalgia to Depression and Anxiety
Depression in the Fibromyalgia Patient
Fibromyalgia & Depression/Anxiety
Is Depression Genetic or Environmental?
Genetic Causes of Depression

NAMI Depression Resources
NIMH Depression Resources
WedMD Depression Support & Resources

If you have anything to add, feel free to comment.

Regards,
Shannon G.

Hello!
Today, I'm bringing you a downloadable zine called Chronically Badass: A Guide to Being Young & Chronically Ill by Diane Murray. It's free to download, though you can donate!

Description:
     Are you a young person recently diagnosed with or seeking a diagnosis for a chronic illness? If so (and heck, even if you're a seasoned chronic illness veteran), this zine is for you!

I've created Chronically Badass to help folks hit the ground running as they begin their chronic illness experience. Covered inside:

• Spoon theory
• Getting answers
• Working with doctors
• Work & school
• Friends & family
• Reactions
• Mental health
• Coping strategies
• Online communities
• Mobility

Regards, 

Shannon G.

Hello!

I'm bringing you this article today about what it's really like to be chronically ill. With things like The Fault in Our Stars getting popular and I'm sure some of you have seen the various people who ignorantly fantasize about becoming sick to have such a relationship as Hazel and Augustus do in the story. It can be frustrating to those of us who live in the reality of not being able to get better. Share the article and share your thoughts here.

Regards,
Shannon G.

Hi everyone!

Today's post is about this Article about being young with fibro. There's a certain stigma that comes along with being sick, especially when it's an invisible illness that makes us in pain or in need of things that society typically associates with age (i.e. canes, walkers, handicap parking spaces, etc.)

Too often I have browsed through tumblr's tags for chronic illnesses and seen posts about younger people's experience dealing with ableist adults in regard toward their needs to live with their conditions. Unfortunately, we can't educate everyone, but there are some resources you can get.

Invisible Illness Products
Illness Info Cards

As always, if you have a suggestion you'd like to share, please comment.

Regards!
Shannon G.

Hello!

Today I'm showing you this video from Hank Green (John Green's, the author of The Fault in Our Stars, brother). It isn't necessarily about fibromyalgia, but he makes a lot of good points about chronic illnesses and diseases.

Regards,

Shannon G.

Spoonie Friendly Date Night Ideas:

I put each idea on a Popsicle stick and color coded the ends by the energy level required. Green for lots of energy, yellow for some energy, red for little energy. There are a few double date ideas I’m going to throw in as well. These are subjective to my own personal abilities and such, you can move them around as you need and feel free to reblog and add your own ideas in!

Green level (lots of energy/good day) ideas:

• Go to an amusement park
• Go to the boardwalk
• Visit a museum
• go to a farm or orchard and pick apples/fruit
• Arcade night, go to an arcade and see who gets the most points
• Snow day: have a snowball fight, build a snowman, make snow angels
• Bake dessert together (use a mix or bake something from scratch)
• Cook dinner together
• Playground/swing date: go to a playground and have fun (you can lower the activity level by just going on the swing sets and having your SO push you on the swing)
• Park date: grab a coffee/tea and walk around a park, feed the birds, blow bubbles, have a picnic, etc.
• Go camping: roast marshmallows, eat smores, enjoy some hot cocoa and tell stories and stargaze (bonus: watch the sunrise and sunset)
• go ice skating: you can get one of those kiddie walkers if it’s too much for you to actually skate around and lean on the walker and have your SO stand behind you and skate to push the two of you 

Yellow Level (some energy/okay day) ideas:

• Coffee date: go to a coffee shop, sip some coffee and enjoy each others company
• make dinner together: prepare something simple together (or have SO prepare it) and enjoy it together (candlelit dinner is a bonus)
• Park date: feed the birds, have a picnic, blow bubbles, read to each other, etc.
• swing date: have your SO push you on the swing and chat or ask each other questions
• beach day: pack a bag with sunglasses, sunscreen, beach towels, snacks, beach umbrella, maybe a beach ball, a book, or some buckets and shovels
• go see a play: go to a local play house and see whatever play they’re putting on
• picnic date: pack a picnic, maybe a book to read to each other, some bubbles and some bird feed
• retro game night: break out the nintendo or N64 
• wii night: get up and play some wii bowling or mario kart
• dessert only date: go out and only order dessert
• Movie night: pick a movie you’d like to see, or one you’ve never heard of, get some snacks and drinks and enjoy
• Smoothie/milkshake date: get a drink and sip, chat, and enjoy
• indoor dinner and a movie: make dinner together and watch a movie while you eat
• watch the sunrise: pack a breakfast and go for a drive with a nice view and watch the sunrise
• ice cream sundae date: make chocolate bowls and then create a banana split in them!
• blanket fort: build a blanket fort together or build 2 separate forts and wage war using paper airplanes 
• go to a drive in movie: pack some snacks and a blanket and maybe a few pillows
• blackout/no electronics: play board/card games, give each other massages, read to each other, play twister, etc. get creative
• spa night: wine/alcohol, massage oil or lotion, candles, bubble bath, etc. you get the picture
• favorites night: favorite blanket, favorite games, favorite foods/snacks, favorite drinks, etc.
• Stormy night: blanket fort, puzzles, snacks, candles, hot cocoa, alcohol, games, reading, and maybe some lotion for massages
• Adventure: Go for a drive, get lost and take pictures on the way there.
• breakfast in bed: either make breakfast together, or take turns on who makes breakfast this time or next time and then join each other in bed for a nice meal
• Wander through a bookstore. split up and try to find a book or two your SO would like and then meet back up and see how you did
• Make a bonfire in the backyard and roast marshmallows, make smores, cuddle up together have some drinks, then you can also watch the sunset and then stargaze
• camping: camp out in the backyard or living room. roast some marshmallows over the grill or a fire (or on the stove) make some smores, have hot cocoa, snuggle up and tell stories to each other
• Go on a night drive with the windows down
• Dollar store date: go to a dollar store with 15-20$ each and find gifts for your SO, then meet up and see what you got (bonus, you can shop with a theme: whoevers gifts are the most ___ (funny/romantic/cute/etc) wins)
• Craft night: pick a craft you both enjoy, or a new one all together, and go for it! crochet, paint, draw, make bead jewelry, clay sculptures, pottery, etc.
• dress up and go to dinner at a fancy restaurant
• stay in a hotel for a night
• have a candlelit dinner
• get body paints and paint murals on each other
• garden together, plant a tree or flowers or fruits/vegetables
• go to a planetarium
• play with sidewalk chalk
• theme date! pick a culture, city, or decade and make a night of it! 
• dress up as characters from your favorite movie or book and act out a date as the characters
• go to a bakery and pick out a few treats to enjoy together
• photo safari: go for a walk or drive with a camera and take pcitures of significant places in your relationship. scrapbook the pictures when you get home
• have one person pick a place but don’t tell your SO. have your SO drive with the directions you give them. and explore the place you chose together

Red level (little energy/bad day) ideas:

• watch the sunrise: get up early (or stay up really late) and watch the sunrise from bed or wherever, then enjoy breakfast together
• indoor dinner and a movie: order takeout or heat up leftovers/frozen dinner and watch a movie
• ice cream sundae date: make ice cream sundaes or go out and get ice cream
• blanket fort: make a blanket fort in bed or on the couch (or have your SO build one around you) and watch movies and play games together
• do a puzzle together
• go to a drive in movie: bring blankets and a ton of pillows  and make your own little pillow throne in the car and watch a drive in movie
• portable drive in movie: play a movie on your laptop and go sit outside or at the park. bring snacks and enjoy
• blackout/no electronics: turn everything off and enjoy each others company: play board/card games, do puzzles, read to each other, give massages, eat snacks, etc.
• watch the sunset: either in bed or go somewhere with a nice view
• indoor picnic: set up a picnic blanket on the floor (or on your bed) and enjoy some food and maybe a little wine
• go stargazing: drive somewhere with a nice view of the night sky, lay down on a blanket and enjoy the view and company
• Indoor movie night: set up the TV with a movie, dim the lights, make a big bowl of popcorn and get a bunch of other goodies
• TV marathon: watch a tv series you both have been meaning to watch and marathon it with tons of snacks and maybe a little alcohol
• If you have access to a hot tub, use it! It’ll help you feel better, it’s enjoyable and can be very intimate
• Saturday morning cartoons date: get your bowl of cereal and some other snacks and sit on the couch watching cartoons
• game night: card games, board games, snacks, and drinks
• spa night: wine/alcohol, massage oil or lotion, candles, bubble bath, etc. you get the picture
• favorites night: favorite blanket, favorite games, favorite foods/snacks, favorite drinks, etc.
• Stormy night: blanket fort, puzzles, snacks, candles, hot cocoa, alcohol, games, reading, and maybe some lotion for massages
• breakfast in bed: either make breakfast together, or take turns on who makes breakfast this time or next time and then join each other in bed for a nice meal
• Make a bonfire in the backyard and roast marshmallows, make smores, cuddle up together have some drinks, then you can also watch the sunset and then stargaze
• camping: camp out in living room or even in your bed (they make tents for kids that fit over the bed, or just use a sheet and make a tent/fort). roast some marshmallows over the grill or a fire (or on the stove) make some smores, have hot cocoa, snuggle up and tell stories to each other
• Craft night: pick a craft you both enjoy, or a new one all together, and go for it! crochet, paint, draw, make bead jewelry, clay sculptures, pottery, etc.
• go on a night car ride with the windows down
• make a relationship “bucket list” of things you’d both like to do together, etc.
• watch a documentary and then discuss it together
• book night: pick a book you both enjoy and take turns reading to each other
• music night: spend some time making short playlists for each other and then spend the rest of the night listening to the playlists
• stay in a hotel for a night
• visit a museum without leaving bed: http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/online/
• visit cities you’ve always wanted to travel to, without leaving bed:http://www.360cities.net/
• plan your dream vacation together
• make pillow thrones for each other and have a movie night
• have a photo shoot. one person takes pictures while the other poses, then switch. and set a timer and take a few pictures together
• use the pictures from the photoshoot date and make a scrapbook or other crafty things with them
• make comfort boxes for each other when you can’t be togetherhttp://mentalillnessmouse.tumblr.com/post/29539153962/how-to-make-a-comfort-box
• explore and learn about the universe together while still in bed www.galaxyzoo.org
• Make stationary for each other to use when you’re away
• have a skype date
• get some body paint and paint murals on each other
• have a candlelit dinner
• make a conversation jar: write down a bunch of topics, questions, and conversation starters on slips of paper, fold them up and put them in a jar
• play with sidewalk chalk
• rent a movie you haven’t seen before and set it on mute, improvise the dialogue
• theme date! pick a culture, city, or decade and make a night of it! 
• dress up as characters from your favorite movie or book and act out a date as the characters
• go to a fountain or wishing well with your spare change and make wishes together
• interview date: pretend you are interviewing your SO and record it, then switch places
• message in a bottle bubble bath: buy and decorate little bottles and write love letters to each other and slip it into the bottles, fill up the tub, add bubble bath and essential oils, and throw the bottles in. enjoy a bath together then dry off and read the letters to each other
• make a time capsule together
• have each person record a video of them talking about their favorite moments in the relationship, or about the first date, then watch the videos together
• decorate mugs or wine glasses for each other
• play “would you rather?”
• have a “throw back thursday” and get out old pictures, either baby pictures or pictures from earlier in the relationship and tell stories about the photos to each other.
• have a harry potter marathon and enjoy some HP themed treats

Double Date Ideas (various energy levels):

• chip and dip night: have each couple bring a different flavor chip and dip and then taste test them all together, find new yummy combinations, and chat
• fondue night: either have each couple bring a couple different things to dip or just buy a fruit platter, some marshmallows, and some pretzels and make some chocolate fondue in a small crockpot. add some alcohol and then just chat and enjoy the company
• pudding factory: have each couple bring a different flavor pudding, then get some bowls and toppings together (candy, sprinkles, crushed cookies) and enjoy
• have a hot chocolate party (double date) get hot cocoa mix and fun flavor add ins like cinnamon, peppermint extracts, coconut extract, coffee extract, etc. and have each person make up their own concoction. then add in sprinkles and marshmallows and whipped cream. bonus: make chocolate spoons decorated with sprinkles before and candy beforehand and use them to stir your crazy concoctions up
• have a pj party and invite friends over! popcorn, snacks, movies, and board/card games
• Wine and chocolate tasting night: have each couple bring a different wine and chocolate and then set them all out, taste, chat, enjoy
• game night: have each couple bring their favorite board game and take turns playing each of them (or have this be a weekly thing and have the couples take turn on whose night it is to pick the game)
• video game night: break out the wii or the old school gaming systems and play some mario kart, mario party, or any other multiplayer game

Hello!

Sorry this post is late! I've been working two jobs and been trying to stay involved with my community theater.

Today's post is about spoonie tips and resources. Now, if you don't have a tumblr, I suggest you might get one for the spoonie community. I've connected with many other fibro-spoonies and sufferers of other chronic illnesses.

• Here are some tips. 
• About the 96% project.
• Dominie's 100 tips for coping with fibro and insomnia.
• WebMD tips (the medical version, mostly the same stuff you'll hear from a doctor).
• Here's a place you can just vent.
• And a couple of snarky images for you to relate to.

Remember to keep your head up and if you have any suggestions, put them in the comments!

Regards, 

Shannon G.

Hello!

Today is for those who identify with the spoon theory and would like some nice spoon jewelry. Mostly, this is because my mum is constantly asking about having matching spoon jewelry to show her support when she lives so far away.

Here is a list of online stores that sell jewelry made from silver spoons:

Silver Spoon Jewelry
The Spoon Jeweler
Bent Spoon Jewelry
The New Homestead Silverware Artistry

Spoon charms:

Ice Carats
Zales -Heart
Zales -Flower
Ornamentea
Bohemian Findings
Ebay

If you have any suggestions, please comment or send them and I will put them in!

Regards,

Shannon G.

Hello!

This post is going to be about food! I know there's a lot of flam about diet and its affect on fibromyalgia. I personally don't like highly processed foods to begin with, so these recipes are yummy and good for you too!

Fruit-Infused Water Instead of Soda
Database of FibroFriendly Recipes
Flare-Free Recipes

One of my favorite simple recipes is a sandwich of sorts.

Gluten-free flatbread
Strawberries
Avocado
Lemon juice (for left overs)

Pit and scoop the avocado and mash it up so it looks like butter, add a little bit of lemon juice. Spread the avocado on the flatbread, as much as you like. Slice up the strawberries and put them on the avocado, add as many as you like. Put it all together nice and neat with a glass of some fruit infused water and you have a buttery, desserty, healthy sandwich!

If you have any suggestions, feel free to post them in the comments or send them to me and I will add them on here!

Regards,

Shannon G.

Hello!

Today's post is about chronic illness and art. This one hits close to home with me because I am an artist. I graduated in December 2013 from Montserrat College of Art with my BFA and my work for my senior exhibition was about my struggles with fibromyalgia. This was mostly because at the time, I was having a lot of difficulty finding other artists with chronic illnesses who made art about it.

After doing some digging, I believe I've found a few for you all to look into!

Patti Edmon is a mixed media artist, photographer, and writer. She began making art when she developed autoimmune arthritis. The link to her blog has beautiful pictures of her pieces.

Rose E. Ranauro is a painter from Massachusetts that depicts diagram-like self portraits to display her interpretation of living with fibromyalgia.

Philip Fryer is a performance artist who does a lot of performance and sound work based on chronic pain.

The Pain Exhibit is "an online educational, visual arts exhibit from artist with chronic pain with their art expressing some facet of the pain experience. The mission is to educate healthcare providers and the public about chronic pain through art, and to give voice to the many who suffer in silence."

     As always, if you have any suggestions, please feel free to post them in the comments or send them to me and I will add them above!

Regards,

Shannon G.

Hello!

Today I'm going to talk about insomnia.

Is Fibromyalgia to Blame for Your Sleep Problems?

Well, it is a common symptom for the chronically ill to have sleep problems. Now, I know a lot of people are unclear of what insomnia is. I know I was before I was diagnosed with it. As defined by the Library of Medicine:

 Insomnia is trouble falling asleep or staying asleep through the night. Episodes may come and go (episodic), last up to 3 weeks (short-term), or be long-lasting (chronic).

When you add fibromyalgia into the mix, it can make things worse. 

So when it comes down to it, you are more than likely going to need help with sleep in order to keep yourself functioning. I personally prefer herbal remedies for this issue, such as valerian root and chamomile tea but you may want to talk to your doctor about it for what is best for you. Fibromyalgia is different for everyone, after all.

Here are some other articles:

Fibromyalgia and Sleep - WebMD

Insomnia & Fibromyalgia - About.com

100 Tips for Coping with Fibromyalgia & Insomnia

Combating Insomnia in Fibromyalgia Patients

Hope this helps!

If you have any suggestions, feel free to post them in the comments or send them to me and I will add them on here!

Regards,

Shannon G.

Hello!

Today I'm going to list some other website resources for you!

What's the Deal With Fibromyalgia? - A website with lots of information and a blog run by the lovely fellow fibro Simone.

But You Don't Look Sick - The location of Spoon Theory and a collection of articles and other resources! (PLEASE READ THIS IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO ANYTHING WITH THIS SITE.)

Chronic Body Pain - A collection of articles on a number of different illnesses and symptoms.

Fibromyalgia via Medical Encyclopedia - Fibromyalgia as defined by the National Library of Medicine, including symptoms.


I hope these are helpful to you and can direct you to any answers you cannot find elsewhere.

If you have any suggestions, feel free to post them in the comments or send them to me and I will add them on here!

Regards,

Shannon G.

Hello!

     I'm going to start off this blog with a short definition of what fibromyalgia is according to the National Library of Medicine:

Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome in which a person has long-term, body-wide pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression, and anxiety.

So, there's a basic medical idea of fibromyalgia.

     Now, why am I called a Spoonie? Well, that would be because of Christine Miserandino's Spoon Theory. Originally, Ms. Miserandino used this theory to describe her experience with lupus, but many with chronic illnesses have adopted this idea to better explain their pain and suffering to more able-bodied people.

A little on myself:
     My name is Shannon, I've been suffering from chronic pain and fatigue since I was 11. For three years, I was tested continuously for lupus, then diagnosed with juvenile arthritis and chronic migraine syndrome. I had that diagnoses up until May 2012, after coming home from studying abroad. I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

     I'm very quiet in terms of my health, I don't like making a big fuss. My mother often forgets I have a chronic illness because I don't complain. It wasn't until my last semester of college that anyone from school outside of my roommates knew I suffered, as I made my senior thesis show about my condition.

     I hope to make this blog to reach out to the fibro community and to help find and spread information and become a resource for others.

Regards,
Shannon G.