A Chronic Voice

A Chronic Voice

@achronicvoice.com

I share #ChronicIllness, #ChronicPain, #disability & #MentalHealth info from VARIOUS #perspectives. #Lupus #Sjogrens #AntiphospholipidSyndrome #epilepsy Open to constructive chat, will block overly opinionated people. https://achronicvoice.com/

3.3K followers2.6K following12.5K posts

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Don't forget to check out the revamped #website, and visit our #AboutPage for more info and resources. My aim is and always will be to raise #awareness about lifelong #illnesses from VARIOUS #perspectives. Context matters. 👉 buff.ly/TKHRkRo #ChronicIllness #disability #ChronicPain #MedSky #spoonie

achronicvoice.comAboutLearn more about “A Chronic Voice”, a blog that aims to raise awareness about chronic illness and disabilities through various perspectives.

"I know quite a few #spoonies who have some pretty cool #WalkingCanes. You can do a search online for something that suits your style. Just don’t sacrifice stability and functionality.": buff.ly/VKptSNX #ChronicPain #physiotherapy #surgery #KneeSurgery #mobility #disabled

"For personal #conversations, use #LiveCaptioning apps, text services & video-relay services. Perhaps the most #empowering step u can take is to learn a #SignLanguage – there are many online videos & dictionaries to help u.": buff.ly/Fn5X8Hi via @psyche.co #disability #HearingLoss #deaf #hearing

buff.lyTips and tools for navigating hearing loss | Psyche GuidesAt home, at work and out having fun, these are the supportive tools, apps and services that have helped me and many others

" #xylitol does occur naturally..But this particular #sugar alcohol usually appears in commercial products at levels 1,000 times higher than it would naturally be found in our bodies or in #fruits.": buff.ly/NNLr3Ir via @discovermag.bsky.social #ArtificialSweeteners #HealthyEating #sweeteners

buff.lyHigh Blood Levels of Popular Sweetener Xylitol Linked to Increased Cardiovascular RiskLearn how data from more than 17,000 people linked higher blood levels of xylitol to an increased risk of death, heart attack, and stroke over the long term.

"Many people may be able to learn more & empathise, but full #appreciation for what it’s like to live with prob isn’t fully possible unless you’ve been there yrslf in some capacity. Even then, the experience is unique to the individual.": buff.ly/iRrcMKl by invisiblyme #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain

buff.ly18 Tips For Living With Chronic Illness, Pain & Disability - Invisibly MeLiving with chronic illness, pain or other disability is an ongoing learning curve. Here are 18 tips for life with chronic conditions.

"in a #society that reinforces constant shifting of #attention & distractibility, the satisfaction of sustaining yr attention on 1 thing can contribute to the #experience being autotelic – that is, highly enjoyable & intrinsically #motivating.": buff.ly/VtE21R7 #flow #MentalHealth #distractions

buff.lyHow to enter a state of flow | Psyche GuidesThat moment of sweet immersion in the task at hand: that’s flow. With some strategy, you can experience it more often

"My original intention for this post was more of a show & tell session..But it turns out that we all mostly want the same thing no matter where we are in the world - some good old #PainRelief. Even for just a day.": buff.ly/LKYocwm #MondayBlogs #ChronicPain #wishlist #ChronicIllness #DreamComeTrue

achronicvoice.comAll I Want for Christmas is Some Pain Relief! (Real Wish List Ideas from 13 People with Chronic Illness)All I want for Christmas is some pain relief — check out this community roundup where people with chronic illness share what they want exactly.

"Language has occupied a central place in #brain #science since the discovery of #aphasia ..Yet scientists still disagree about exactly which areas support #language & how those areas divide diff #linguistic functions.": buff.ly/m1igyRV via thebrighterside #BrainHealth #psycholinguistics #TBI

buff.lyStanford researchers discover a language-specific network hidden in the human brainThe brain language network can be mapped from fMRI activity even while people rest or perform tasks unrelated to language.

"Societal norms typically dictate that #men should be strong and be viewed as providers..‘ #Masculine ’ traits such as leadership, #emotional detachment & financial #success have been drilled into us since we were little boys.": buff.ly/DTc9Ehi #MensHealth #MondayBlogs #ChronicIllness #fibromyalgia

"It is a silly & #ViciousCycle, because it isn’t my #fault & beating myself up about it is only going to turn the #BadDay into a worse one. It also sets up the framework of how I will be approaching the rest of my day..": buff.ly/vrEtVhQ #MondayBlogs #ChronicPain #PositiveMindset #positivity

"Yr #morning..starts with info gathering. What hurts, what’s stiff, what kind of day yr body seems to be handing u..It’s a diff starting point & #routine advice that skips it isn’t wrong so much as it’s talking abt a diff kind of morning than the 1 u hv.": buff.ly/ouR98jJ by @thethrivingspoonie.com

buff.lyYou Don’t Need a Morning Routine With Chronic Illness, You Need a Morning You Can Actually HaveMorning routine advice is everywhere every August, and most of it assumes a body that isn't negotiating with itself before breakfast. Here's why the standard version doesn't fit chronic illness, and…

"I usually try to pick loose-fitting #clothing like dresses, but my outfit choice depends on what type of #surgery I am having because what I wear after an #abdominal surgery may be different than what I’d wear after a #shunt surgery.": buff.ly/hYKS0gC by sarahlynn358 #ChronicIllness #HospitalBag

buff.lyWhat Is In My Hospital Bag?Preparing for surgery or a long hospital stay? Discover a practical hospital bag checklist for disabled and chronically ill patients.

"The researchers found that.. #TaxiDrivers had measurably more #GrayMatter in the posterior #hippocampus, a brain area tied to storing large-scale #spatial maps..The longer someone had driven, the larger that part of the #brain.": buff.ly/S6lyI7R via @theconversation.com #Alzheimers #BrainHealth

buff.lyTaxi drivers rarely die of Alzheimer’s – how complex mental maps and spatial reasoning protect your brainWorking with and living in spatially complex environments may help delay cognitive decline, though more research is needed.

"Because I’ve found more #peace with all of this #pain, I realize that the abundance of baking, decorating & cleaning have to be toned way down..My #family ..definitely don't want me to spend days in pain.": buff.ly/C3dXOAz by ehrmanlisa1 #ChronicPain #WritingPrompts #disability #ChronicIllness

buff.lyWhat it’s Like Having a Weak Body but a Strong Hope - Chronically ContentI'm very happy to join A Chronic Voice again for the October/November 2026 Writing Prompts. Approaching The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are approaching. I feel like when these holidays get…

"When we mention #VitaminD, we tend to think of sunshine & milk. When we mention #VitaminK ..people often go, ‘what does that #vitamin do again?’..here's how they work together synergistically for optimal #health & #wellbeing.": buff.ly/IueoBiZ for SpectraSpray #MondayBlogs #supplements #Healthy

" #Patients may take several #medications that contribute to #dryness. They may also use #antihistamines, decongestants, or over-the-counter sleep aids without mentioning them during a routine #medication review.": buff.ly/yQ3oE9e via kevinmd #DryMouth #MedSky #OralHealth #DentalHealth #ChronicPain

buff.lyMedication-induced dry mouth quietly damages teethMedication-induced dry mouth gets dismissed as an annoyance until decay, burning, and painful dentures follow. See the question every medication review misses.

"That voice telling u that you just might be wasting your only life, and that you are #failing at everything. That vicious little voice that’s born out of #ableism and societal pressure to ‘hustle’. – Gwen": buff.ly/dsbUeNj #HustleCulture #MondayBlogs #ChronicPain #NEisVoid #disabled #spoonie

"For #physicians, understanding & managing #pain is 1 of the hardest parts of caring for #patients ..self-reported pain has a fragile foundation. 2 people can receive the same stimulus & give very different answers to their #PainLevel.": buff.ly/Q8aaAPJ via @psychologytoday.com #ChronicPain #MedSky

buff.lyToward a More Empathic Measure of PainA brainwave-based system that relies on informative pain reports suggests that brain activity may indicate pain intensity, providing a more objective way to assess suffering.

"Rather than directly instructing participants to sit in a particular way, the team altered the environment so that #posture changed without the participants knowing why..helped address a major criticism of earlier " #PowerPose " #research.": buff.ly/ThlER5H via sciencedaily #sitting #Mental

buff.lySitting up straight may improve your mood and decision-makingA simple change in posture may subtly affect how people feel and make decisions. Participants who sat upright reported greater feelings of pride and took more successful risks in a virtual balloon…

"I had just left my university due to #symptoms impacting my ability to #study, which led to me feeling severely #anxious & #depressed. I thot this was characteristic of anyone who developed a #ChronicIllness.": buff.ly/wwZXmAE by @juliametraux.bsky.social #DysmorphicDisorder #NEisVoid #YoungAdult

achronicvoice.comWhen Autoimmune Disorder Ravages Your Face (and How That Led to My Body Dysmorphic Disorder)Julia Métraux shares how she developed body dysmorphic disorder due to autoimmune disorder, where she couldn't recognise herself one day.

A Chronic Voice reposted

Things to Do On Bed Rest: Education #Advocacy & Volunteering ~ @achronicvoice.com "Even if you aren’t a blogger, you can help. Reading & resharing blog posts from other #ChronicIllness & #disabled bloggers helps raise awareness." 🔗 buff.ly/3OGUdPd #StrongerTogether #BloggingCommunity

buff.lyUseful Things to Do While on Bed Rest After Surgery: Education, Advocacy & Volunteering (Part 5/5)A list of useful things to do while on bed rest after surgery to feel truly productive. Part of my knee injury and year long recovery series.

"A lot of people don’t realise how bad their #shoes are for them. I didn’t realise myself, until I started working at #Footkaki. If you’re in #Singapore, you can pay them a visit. They’re nice people and their #FootAssessment service is free 🙂": buff.ly/13Pci65 #footwear #pedorthist #physiotherapy

"I only found out that a number of my #colleagues & #friends also live with #ChronicIllness only after I started my blog! It’s surprising how we can become invisible even amongst ourselves, despite the daily pains.": buff.ly/CzUrCvx #ChronicPain #InvisibleIllness #disability #singapore #spoonies

"The #ego, or #mind, is very uncomfortable with #waiting. This is the part of u that..screams, “Do something! Anything is better than nothing!” & because we are a very ego-driven #society, you’ll find plenty of external voices that back up that message.": buff.ly/YMTpa5k via tinybuddha #SelfAware

buff.lyThe Power of Waiting When You Don’t Know What to Do - Tiny BuddhaYou don’t need to make a decision immediately. Learn to wait when you're unsure and see what becomes clear as you sit with uncertainty.

"So u try harder. U set the alarm earlier, add the tracker, tell a friend for #accountability ..For a while it works, which is the cruelest part, because it teaches u that #effort is the answer & that the collapse was a #character prob.": buff.ly/mZa95D9 via lifehackorg #discipline #productivity

buff.lyHow to Be Disciplined and Consistent: Spend It Once, Not Every Day - LifeHackYou already know how to be disciplined. What you do not have is a way to make it repeat without your full attention. Discipline and consistency are two

" #Kids learn [ #ExecutiveFunctioning ] thru modeling, co-regulation & guided repetition [from parents]. Pausing before reacting & focusing on the outcome instead of the immediate frustration is 1 of the most powerful EF #habits #parents can build.": buff.ly/UDTQhdg via @additudemag.bsky.social

buff.ly3 Rules for Regulating a Stressed Nervous SystemNervous system regulation techniques that incorporate visualization, routines, and slowed reaction times strengthen executive function in kids with ADHD.

"Disrupting this [gut] balance is a prob called #dysbiosis. It can cause the intestinal barrier to weaken even further, contributing to increased permeability. This condition is often called " #LeakyGut," tho it isn’t an official #medical #diagnosis.": buff.ly/stBlMHa via @UPMC.com #GutHealth

upmc.comDo You Have Leaky Gut? | UPMC HealthBeatLearn what research says about the connection between leaky gut syndrome and certain health issues like intestinal permeability.

"But something doesn’t have to be about a specific condition to touch a chord re: the boredom, the fight, the #loneliness ..This post is going to be an ongoing home for #poems that manage to put #MentalHealth & #ChronicIllness into #words.": buff.ly/1iX9Chs via janetkjay #ChronicPain #poetry

buff.lyPoems about mental health & chronic pain– & despite them!Poems about mental health & chronic pain that are wise, not sappy Updated 10/5/26: This post is being rebuilt and expanded. Poets, see my permissions page. Poems about mental health, chronic p…

"How much #sleep someone needs varies widely from person to person. Some #healthy #adults feel fine on around 6h, others need closer to 9..U need more sleep when unwell or start training hard at the gym. Sleep shifts with the #seasons.": buff.ly/UrSny55 via @theconversation.com #health #SleepDebt

buff.lyWhat’s a ‘sleep debt’? Can I ever pay it back? An expert explainsNever seem to get enough sleep? Why chasing ‘enough sleep’ to repay your ‘sleep debt’ might not be helping.

"The #doctor then proceeded to tell me, “Madam, you’re #allergic to the entire plant kingdom. As long as u refrain from touching, breathing, or eating..you’ll be alright.” I found his attitude to be #unprofessional &..histrionic.": buff.ly/GdQVXNo Featuring: sararussellntp #healthcare #italy

"Have u presented a poster at a #scientific #conference?..what’s the worst question anybody asked? Also, do they give out little chairs for people to sit on or are u supposed to stand..for hrs?": buff.ly/FbyLDaK by SarahSisbot #ChronicPain #ACR #DisabledPeople #spoonie

buff.lyOct/Nov Writing Prompts for the Chronically Ill and DisabledFinalizing my ACR poster, beautiful pictures of my elbow, naming my disease, and a stellar new preprint about synovial fibroblasts in RA

" #Bacteria that cause #GumDisease may do more than damage yr #teeth ..research suggests they could also contribute to the buildup of #calcium in the heart's #AorticValve, potentially leading to calcific aortic valve stenosis.": buff.ly/7u1rEgx via sciencedaily #HeartHealth #HeartValve #cardiology

buff.lyScientists discover a hidden heart valve risk linked to gum diseaseResearchers found that bacteria linked to gum disease may help drive the development of calcific aortic valve stenosis by triggering inflammation and calcium buildup in the heart valve. The early…

"Even when yr loved 1 needs #support, they r still an #adult. Infantilising – thru baby talk, exaggerated praise or speaking dramatically slower than u normally would – can feel #disrespectful & provoke resistance or #shame.": buff.ly/XAdhGOs via @psyche.co #dementia #MentalHealth #communication

buff.lyHow to talk to someone who has dementia | Psyche GuidesDementia makes communication more challenging, but these practices and tips can help you stay connected through the changes

"From the outside, it looks like u sat in a chair & talked for 20 mins. From the inside, it can feel like u ran a..high-stakes negotiation while also being examined. The crash afterward..is the bill for #work that never gets counted as work.": buff.ly/AsKJu9w by @thethrivingspoonie.com #ChronicPain

buff.lyChronic Illness Appointments: How to Advocate for Yourself Without Burning OutAdvocating for yourself at appointments takes more out of you than it looks like from the outside. Here's how to prepare, speak up, and recover without spending every ounce of energy you have.

"None of my #doctors have a clue & have been passing the baton around..Whilst my #neurologist doesn’t think that these symptoms have anything to do with my latest #seizure, my partner noted that the behavioural changes began only after.": buff.ly/DokzYDu #depression #NEisVoid #InvisibleIllness

"I think it is so impt for #families to #accept a #disability because if u can’t accept my disability, then why should I? #DisabledPeople get a sense of how their loved ones feel..& the worst thing u can do is focus on only the negatives.": buff.ly/xnN1boP by sarahlynn358 #ChronicIllness #parent

buff.lyHow Parents Can Feel Less Guilty For Their Child's DisabilityFeeling guilty about your child’s disability? Learn acceptance-based, practical ways to release blame, connect, and support your disabled child.

"Stronger #muscles equals more stable #joints. More stable joints can result in less pain. A strong core can reduce #BackPain. Better strength & more stable joints may improve balance and make doing daily activities easier.": buff.ly/OIb3riT #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #PainManagement #disability

achronicvoice.comThe Chronic Pain Cycle & How to Break It (Top Tips From an Occupational Therapist)Cynthia Hill is an occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience. In this post, she shares tips on how to break the chronic pain cycle.

"While #SlashAndBurn #farming is illegal in #Indonesia, enforcement of a ban has long proven tricky.. #Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has called for tougher sanctions..describing the practice as "#ecological terrorism".": buff.ly/UQT9Jaz BBCNews #pollution #environment #haze #SouthEastAsia

buff.lySouth East Asia haze: What's choking Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia?Anger is mounting at the companies accused of burning land in Indonesia and the authorities who have failed to stop them.

"If there’s 1 small problem I have with them, it’s that I also suffer from #TMD due to #bruxism. I often have problems opening my mouth too wide, so sometimes it takes me a while to stick the #OralSpray into my mouth.": buff.ly/HylObpf for SpectraSpray #supplements #vitamins #ChronicPain #disabled

achronicvoice.comOral Spray Vitamins: A Quick & Easy Way to Get Your Nutrients with Chronic IllnessOral spray vitamins come with many benefits over traditional pill and capsule supplements, and can be a great aid for those with chronic illness.

"You don’t get to stop the flare, necessarily. Or the crash. Or whatever your #body does when it’s been pushed past where it was trying to tell you it was going. But u get more #information. And info, even partial, gives u #options.": buff.ly/z5cced7 by @thethrivingspoonie.com #ChronicPain #pacing

buff.lyThe Body Signals Chronic Illness Taught Me to Stop IgnoringYour body sends early warning signals before things get harder. The problem is that chronic illness makes those signals difficult to notice and even harder to trust. This post is about what early…

"#HR has used my #ChronicIllnesses as an excuse to exclude me from company events or delay my pay for months. Other bosses have used them to fire me on short notice, or humiliate me when I’m struggling to cope": buff.ly/sPe8bHX #career #ChronicIllness #awareness

buff.lyThis is What It’s Like to Live With A Chronic and Invisible Illness in SingaporeThe post This is What It's Like to Live With A Chronic and Invisible Illness in Singapore appeared first on RICE.

"Ian left me to wander abt those market stalls [online] while he disappeared..to make dinner. Before I knew it, I could smell garlic & herbs..My house smelled like a genuine #Italian restaurant…a #GlutenFree one!": buff.ly/mBPo2t9 by @DespitePain.bsky.social #ChronicIllness #adaptation #travel

buff.lyTravel Without the Hassle...No Packing Required - Despite PainSummer is upon us here in sunny Scotland. Except, it’s not very sunny. There’s been a heatwave south of the border, but most days it’s actually quite wet, and dreich here in Scotland. Perhaps it’s…

"What makes #helminths such successful #parasites gives #researchers clues about unexplored pathways & mechanisms in the #ImmuneSystem. The Briggs Lab is..exploring new ways to treat #inflammatory conditions.": buff.ly/DJyTsaQ via @yaleschoolofmed.bsky.social #ChronicIllness #HumanBody #autoimmune

buff.lyParasitic Worms: Architects of ImmunologyIn a recent review, Neima Briggs, MD, PhD, found that the immune suppressive capabilities of certain types of parasitic worm infections may help scientists

"I put my useless #pride aside & post that status flaunting my #vulnerability in all its gross glory, [in a bid to #SpeakUp for those who can't]. I try not to go overboard tho, as too much of anything is never good & gets stale, thus losing its impact.": buff.ly/fmm0aWL #advocate #ChronicallyIll