Chronic Illness Warrior Corner

Why have this page?

This page will contain posts related to Kay’s illnesses

Working from denial to acceptance with a few stumbles along the way
Ways of coping and managing that work for me
My personal experience in living with fibromyalgia, chronic foot pain, mental illness, etc.

I’ve also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia(2016), FND(2024), POTS(2026), and CPTSD(2005)

My Experience with Fibromyalgia

I am a FIBRO WARRIOR! Started showing signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia very early on in life. Officially diagnosed in 2016 at age 24. I was experiencing bizarre symptoms and not healing well from surgery. Because of this, I began the search for answers. During my search, I ended up receiving more than I had bargained for initially. After testing and time, I received my diagnosis.

For all those unfamiliar, fibromyalgia is a complex illness that causes chronic debilitating pain, mental fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and exhaustion. It is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis. Some with the same diagnosis only experience flares of symptoms intermittently. Others, like me, experience flares daily. Full disclosure: I still struggle to manage the pain and the 200+ symptoms associated with fibro, but I can say that with time, I am getting better.

My Feet Trouble Plus Some

I wish things stopped there, but I also have limited availability to walk. This is due to chronic plantar fasciitis and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (another chronic pain). There are a few additional issues tagged along just in my feet alone. If I want to participate in anything that requires walking, I have to use a wheelchair. But hey, at least I got to paint my chair wheels bright hot pink (my favorite color), so there’s something.

At the end of April 2026, I broke my ankle after blacking out and taking a bad fall, POTS. In my left foot and ankle, I now have 9 screws, a plate, and a permanent staple.

Finally, to round it all out, I’ve suffered lifelong clinical depression, horrible panic, and anxiety attacks, and I deal with bouts of CPTSD. I can’t finish up this page without mentioning that I also have arthritis in my hands, feet, ankles, and knees.