Category: Uncategorized
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3 Truths About “Why Me” Moments
Hi, friend. I see you over there, drowning in the existential soup of “Why me?” And listen, it’s valid. Chronic illness hit you like a meteor, and now you’re just trying to figure out how to dodge the next one. I get it. The thing is, I care about your “why me” because it’s part…
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Why the Name Change from Sjögren’s Syndrome to Sjögren’s Disease Is a Big Deal
Cue LL Cool J and my bad rapping and join me in chatting, “Don’t call it a syndrome!” Ok, bad pun out of the way… In 2024, the global Sjögren’s community dropped a truth bomb: they officially renamed Sjögren’s Syndrome to Sjögren’s Disease. And I, for one, couldn’t be more thrilled. At first glance, it…
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The Seronegative Struggle: Why It’s Harder to Get a Diagnosis (and What You Can Do About It)
If you’ve ever suspected an autoimmune disease but had normal labs, you’re not alone. Welcome to the seronegative struggle—a frustrating journey marked by delayed diagnoses, dismissed symptoms, and endless appointments. Seronegative means that your blood tests don’t show the antibodies commonly associated with a condition, despite clear symptoms. It’s a maddening limbo that leaves many…
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The One Thing Missing From Your Sjögren’s Care Plan (And It’s Not Another Supplement)
When it comes to managing Sjögren’s—or even suspecting you have it—you’ve likely heard the usual advice: tweak your diet, adjust your lifestyle, add supplements, and follow your medication plan. And yes, those things are important, but they’re not the whole picture. As someone who’s lived this life and spends her days immersed in Sjögren’s support…
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This One Mistake Could be Stalling Your Chronic Illness Journey
Quick storytime, friends. A real experience from one of my appointments. Neurology PA: I don’t understand why you are here. Me: I have been having progressing episodes of leg weakness for over a year. My neuromuscular neurologist did an EMG, but it was normal, so he no longer wanted to explore things with me. I…
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Are You Medically Gaslighting Yourself?
Ever felt uneasy or unsure about your health journey? Patient insecurity is a real challenge many of us with chronic illness face, but awareness is key to overcoming it. After years of fighting to be heard by medical professionals — to be seen as more than a normal lab sheet, I developed patient insecurity that…
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MSing the Mark: Sjögren’s Mimicking Multiple Sclerosis
Note: I am not a medical provider. Opinions in this article are based on my own research and personal experiences. Mission: Diagnosis (Again) In my original blog post, I wrote about the frustrating battle I had to a Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos diagnosis. Finally, providers moved away from MS and a generic label that never fit…
Little Engine Patient Advocacy 