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Thanks, 2016: What I’m Thankful For So Far This Year (I Guess)

Posted on November 24, 2016December 5, 2021 by Grayson

There are a lot of things that I’m angry about right now, that aren’t the way they should be. Nazis measuring curtains for their new digs come January.

Thanks, Giphy!

But, okay, I’m going to take a minute away from the constant conversations on social media and via text with my pals to think about what I’m grateful for.

Sure.

Um.

Okay.

Chronic Sex has really taken off. In a few weeks, I will be heading to the Pacific Northwest to put on some workshops with my pal and colleague Kate McCombs.

The fact that we’re pals alone is just mind boggling because we are essentially a perfect match as far as friends go. Kate jokes that, if someone wanted to catfish her, I would be the setup.

I love it and I am beyond thankful for our friendship and the genuine connection we have.

I presented on sex and relationships with the 18+ peeps at the Juvenile Arthritis Conferences this year, a part of Chronic Sex getting up and going.

Chronic Sex was also named one of the ‘top 100 sex blogging superheroes of 2016‘ by Kinkly.

I am grateful that the career I’m making for myself is seemingly taking off far faster than I expected it to.

I got to meet Joe Biden, who loved my t-shirt and took a selfie on my phone.

Gawd, I love him and I am so grateful to have gotten a brief conversation with him. He’s amazing.

Kenzie gave me a new nickname – whimsical unicorn warrior. I’m grateful that we have gotten closer as friends, causing trouble and laughter in our wake.

‘I am not my identity’

I came out as genderqueer and pansexual, both things that I hadn’t really been able to articulate until recently. It’s really nice to be (mostly) fully me. It helps with the vulnerability that I’ve been wanting to maintain.

I have been able to attend great conferences and travel. I’ve been to New York, Toronto, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and (soon) back to the PNW – and that’s all for work! T and I took a bit of a road trip to drive his old car from Wisconsin to California for my sister which took us through states neither of us had been through before.

We lost our Oreo. It has been one of the hardest things T and I have been through together. Oreo was our sick baby and I wish with all my heart that he was here, squeaking around and poking Jaq in the butt.

His death has forced me to confront the fear of death that I have that has frozen me in the past. It has forced me to confront what I might think I know about the afterlife after literally seeing him running around our apartment after he passed.

I’m grateful that he passed after I quit my day job. I don’t know that I could have handled it with having to work, etc. That alone was its own adventure and something that has helped me grow immensely.

I have learned what I want to do with my life and what I won’t tolerate. My creation of boundaries and deal-breakers in friendships and other relationships has gotten better – and I’m sticking to them better.

I’m grateful to have seen Hamilton on Broadway. It was an amazing night and there is so much to be said for seeing it in person. I’ve also visited Hamilton’s grave as well as the house he had built and only lived in two years before his death.

I’ve navigated around New York City, Los Angeles, and other large cities by myself. I’ve beat the idea that was pounded into my head growing up that I would be a moving target and far too trusting – that I would die in a big city.

And, despite the election, I got my ability to fight back. I have an amazing support system, full of family, friends, and colleagues. We all fight and stand for the same things and we all have each other’s backs. This is the thing that I am grateful for most of all – the ability of people who have been through the shittiest things to come together and fight, not only for themselves but also for others.

Even though it ends on a more somber note, 2016 has been an okay year. It is a year of growth and change.

I just hope that we can use our power to fight to move the change in a better direction, one that sees me writing this post next year without censoring, injury, and losing so many I care about just because they’re not white, rich, cishet men.

The latest from the rheumy

Posted on August 3, 2016December 5, 2021 by Grayson

The Friday before Oreo passed away, I had a big rheumy appointment. I mean, I thought it was going to be big at least.

Appts with colds = ick btw

Maybe even Michael Bay explosions big.

In 2010, I was in the worst flare I’ve ever experienced. My sed rate has certainly had its ups and downs – as a child, I recall closer to 100 but, unfortunately, my medical records were murdered, so…

I thought that we might have the discussion of the ‘R-word’ at my appointment – remission. But, since my fibromyalgia is still flaring like a bitch, that was the subject of our conversation instead. My fibro is heavily affecting my neck, shoulders, and upper back. Since I am struggling to get relief, we are going to try trigger point injections and acupuncture which, thankfully, are offered under my insurance.

I’m nervous at the prospect of the trigger point injections as I know others, like my sweet friend Kenzie, have had them and did not necessarily enjoy the process. We handle pain well, but damn y’all, I’m nervous. I am excited at the prospect of pain relief at least.

My appointment to even be evaluated isn’t until after the JA Conference East in Philly so the latter half of August. I think I’ll try to get a massage before that to see if that will help for while I travel to and from Philly. Luckily, T will be coming with me so that should help with some things. After all, our anniversary is the Tuesday after the conference, so it works.

I really want to get to the point where I’m not sitting here concerned about my fibro interfering with my life like it has lately. I want to feel as amazing as my labs look.

Serenity CBD Lotion

Posted on July 3, 2016December 5, 2021 by Grayson

I have been given this product as part of a product review through the Chronic Illness Bloggers network. Although the product was a gift from The Fay Farm, all opinions in this review remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company itself or by Chronic Illness Bloggers.

The Serenity lotion from The Fay Farm is geared towards those of us who have high anxiety and need help calming down… AKA perfect for me as I have left my job to try to take writing full-time! I also have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress – all of which put me into highly emotional states. With ingredients like chamomile and green tea, it’s no surprise that this lotion is incredibly helpful!

CBD has been found to reduce anxiety from simulated public speaking for people with fears of just that. There is a ton of similar research out there on anxiety-related issues and PTSD. Needless to say, my issues with both certainly prompted me to jump at the chance to try this product.

I had this lotion for several days while on a prednisone taper and I have to say that it was actually far more helpful than I imagined in calming me down.

It’s also very soothing. It has been incredibly helpful for me while trying to sleep but being unable to because of pain. It may not erase everything I deal with in that moment, but it helps me to stop stressing over my inability to sleep and to be far calmer. It has also helped me out plenty with other anxiety-riddled moments.

I have been bleaching my hair. A few weeks ago, I tried to dye it light blue and it came out much darker than expected. Because of the uneven color, it just really looked bad… but it also sent me into a PTSD freak-out. There was a time when my mother had a breakdown and cut all her hair off to the point where splotches where there where you could see her scalp. Her brown locks were gone and all that remained was this dark salt-and-pepper short gray hair… and I looked like my mother with my far-too-dark blue hair.

The hippo Snapchat filter improved the look, trust me

Cue the construction of PTSD-ville, population me.

Thankfully, I lathered myself in this lotion, started furiously texting my pal Felix, and promptly re-bleached my hair.

SO MUCH BETTER

Then, yesterday, I managed to get myself into a panic attack over death. I realize I do this fairly often, but this was the first time it’s happened in a while – and it started over something so small. I was snuggling with T, looking at his gray hair, and simply said “we’re old now.”

My brain went BUT WHEN YOU ARE OLD YOU DIE AND YOU WILL BE ALONE FOREVER AND AHHHHHHHHH.

I tried to fight it for a few minutes, but I couldn’t.

Luckily, I cried it out into T’s shoulder and ran into the bathroom to lather myself in this lotion.

We went and saw Free State of Jones (which was good BTW) and, despite all the death associated with the movie – and the Civil War – I managed to not freak-out… which is, honestly, pretty darn impressive. Usually I’m crying off and on in existential-crisis-mode for the rest of the day.

via GIPHY

To you, amazing Washingtonians who make this lotion, I send my deepest and most heartfelt thanks.

Are you interested in snagging some CBD products from The Fay Farm? You can snag Serenity in 2 oz or 8 oz.

To learn more about The Fay Farms’ CBD products, please read this post from Julie Ryan at Counting My Spoons or check out my previous review of the Healing Lotion in The Fay Farm’s CBD line here.

Make sure to check out Project CBD’s Beginner’s Guide to CBD.

Ruminations on being parentless for two years

Posted on May 4, 2016December 5, 2021 by Grayson

Today is my independence day.

It’s the celebration of starting to heal my mind, body, and soul.

It started with saying goodbye to my mother.

Growing up in an abusive home was hard. There aren’t words to share enough of it all.

Thanks, Giphy!

I did meet my dad before the wedding. We’re all busy and don’t talk anywhere near as much as we should.

I am still left feeling very much like an orphan. It’s not been easy to handle. I have had moments of weakness where I want my mother around… and then I remember it’s the idealized version of a mother in a movie or on a show and not my mother.

Thanks, Giphy!

Note: not Kyle’s mom.

Cutting contact with my mother helped me learn a lot about who I am as a person. I had to go through what I did and didn’t like all over again.

The Dave Matthews Band? No longer a like.

Harry Connick Jr? Still a like but no longer a love.

I’ve gone through this with food, media, clothing, and more.

It’s exhausting. I just had finished the period of my life where I should have had that all done when I cut contact. I had to do it twice.

And it was exhausting.

Before cutting contact, I blocked mother and her beau on social media and made some accounts private for a while. Part of that certainly was struggling with my compassion.

The issue is that I was, for a long time, too compassionate to others without being compassionate to myself.

This was evident when examining what led to my flares and other issues.

Very uncool.

Now, though, I am secure in myself.

I don’t need my family of origin to complete me. I simply need my family of choice, the family I’ve made with you reading and T’s family and my sister’s family and close friends.

If my mother were to try to guilt me now? I would only have one reaction:

Thanks, Giphy!

“Who lives, who dies, who tells your story.”

Posted on April 25, 2016December 5, 2021 by Grayson

A line from the play Hamilton asks: “Who lives, who dies, who tells your story.” What do you want your legacy to be?

Let me tell you what I wish I’d known

When I was young and dreamed of glory

You have no control

Who lives, who dies, who tells your story

With Aunt Brenda passing and having the ability to spend time with my fellow health activists, this was already on my mind.

It’s a part of why I’ve picked up my meditation practice again and why, although I’m busy, I have more free time.

Thanks, Quirk Books!

I want to change the world for the better for everyone BUT I also know that it isn’t fair to potentially neglect my loved ones in order to do so, actually thanks to Hamilton.

Thanks, Giphy!

I’m certainly not talking less, but I am smiling more.

Thanks, Giphy!

I’m still getting the job done, but I’m taking into account some of the things that Hamilton should have listened to.

Thanks, Tumblr!

I’m doing things in a more focused way, too, which leads to more dancing.

Thanks, Giphy!

Thanks, Odyssey!

Anyhow, back to the telling the story bit.

Thanks, Giphy!

I am not naive. I know that I haven’t necessarily made friends of a million people. I’m pretty inflexible where my values are concerned (especially regarding ableism, racism, sexism, classism, etc).

I’m proud of that.

Thanks, Odyssey!

I’m proud of standing up for others.

I’m proud of helping patients navigate and letting them know what physicians end up dealing with.

I’m proud of being cloyingly sweet until I’m not.

I want these things to be my legacy. I want people to recognize how important it is to stand next to your values, to advance your cause without stepping on the causes of others, to help without doing harm.

I know that I’m a hippie, but hear me out:

We as patient activists and advocates have a unique shot at being able to help both sides understand the current state of healthcare and provide motivation for change. We have the ability to erase the barriers and silos, not only in healthcare as a whole but also in our online communities.

I have a shot to make the world better, not only for patients with my illnesses but for others.

Thanks, Odyssey!

Recapping #Healthevoices16 in gifs

Posted on April 19, 2016December 5, 2021 by Grayson

Chicago was SO MUCH FUN.

I cannot even begin to fully unpack everything – mentally, emotionally, and from my actual bags.

I got to hang out with some of my favorite people like Eduardo (RA Guy), Britt (Hurt Blogger), Leslie (Getting Closer to Myself), Kristin (Chronically Kristin), and Mariah (From This Point. Forward).

I also got to meet some of the wonderful people with Janssen that I will have the luck to work with more in the future as a part of Joint Decisions.

If all I did was meet them, the trip would have been worth it.

Thanks, Meme Crunch!

Our opening dinner was amazing. During which, I consumed two glasses of wine, sat next to Britt, and got to hear from the founder of Patients Like Me.

People came up and introduced themselves, excited about Chronic Sex or having been readers of mine for a long time.

HELLO TO YOU MY FRIENDS

On Saturday, I attended an amazing session with Trevis Gleason. Like my great grandmother Katie Mae, Trevis has MS and is a passionate advocate. He shared his journey, including my favorite part of the conference sessions themselves:

“Your illness did not make you better.”

It doesn’t stop there, but the following is a paraphrase: You had a Shawshank Redemption moment where you tore down bricks, made a tunnel, and “crawled through your own shit” to come out on the other side as a transformed person.

Thanks, Tumblr!

As if that alone wasn’t enough, he shared great ideas like working on publishing, inviting others through our apparel or accessories to discuss our illness, and then read to us from his book.

I’m in literary crushville.

The next session I hit up involved the legal aspects of blogging – defamation, trademarks, copyrights, protecting your information, etc – with Jimmy Nguyen.

With websites stealing information from us bloggers being a rampant issue lately, this was a much-needed session.

Many of us came together during the next session to discuss how to encourage a community feeling.

I hope that we will have visits, virtual convos, and tweet chats to help foster this.

.@Kirstie_Schultz shares her excitement at #HealtheVoices16 and how advocates can work together effectively! pic.twitter.com/Mf9NdxBau0

— HealtheVoices (@healthevoices) April 16, 2016

Ironically, I had to go have a rest during the Compassion Fatigue session I was hoping to attend with the amazing Rhonda Waters. The fact that she works often with the Joint Decisions group has me ecstatic, though.

Dinner Saturday night was tons of fun. I was with Britt and Leslie again, Molly (And Then You’re At Jax), some of the most amazing IBD/Crohn’s activists, and others.

You’ll have to forgive me on some of the deets because the amazing Deirdre from Tonic Communications snagged me a pitcher of red sangria… and I was the only one drinking it, save one cup.

Thanks, Giphy!

It was amazing.

KevinMD gave the Sunday keynote to a very… contentious room. He did not really alter his talk from speaking to HCPs to speaking to patient activists and advocates. This meant that he was asking us for help that we cannot give while downplaying the important things we do for free.

I was not thrilled with his talk, and he also didn’t stay very long for people to share more information with him afterward.

That was nothing compared to what happened next – all my new friends started to LEAVE!

Thanks, Mashable!

NOT OKAY, YOU GUYS.

Alas, I had to go home eventually as well.

Thanks, Tumblr!

I ended up getting motion sick and tossing my cilantro on the bus to the airport. The nice thing about that is the amazing patients I was with rubbed my back, got me bags, and took care of me until we hit the airport.

It was super sweet. Not unsurprisingly for those of you who know my background, my sister and my husband are the only ones who have ever really done those kinds of things for me.

That just secured it, though.

Thanks, Movie Pilot!

I CANNOT wait until next year.

No, seriously. Please let’s do things in the interim.

Growing up in an abusive home, a family of choice is something I’ve embraced wholeheartedly… I don’t communicate with my family of origin. Not everyone in my family of choice was at HealtheVoices16, but so many were: my sisters Britt, Kristin, and Leslie; my brother Eduardo; and our momma hens, Becky and Deirdre.

There is much I want to say, but right now I just cannot find the words.

Thanks, Goodreads!

PS: While Janssen paid for my travel to HealtheVoices16, all thoughts and opinions expressed here or on social media are my own… especially regarding how amazing people are.

Can you be depressed and function at the same time?

Posted on April 10, 2016December 5, 2021 by Grayson

In the past, some have questioned if I can be depressed, have anxiety, or deal with Post Traumatic Stress while I still accomplish so many things.

Via Tumblr

Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD have been, historically, some of the fuelers of the greatest things we’ve known – paintings, music, plays, books, etc.

Van Gogh was super depressed. The dude cut off his own ear.

Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear

Come on.

Yet, he created some of the most beautiful art ever known.

Other notable awesome people with mental health issues include:

Michelangelo: OCD.
Tchaikovsky: Depression.
Beethoven: Bipolar Disorder & Depression.
Edgar Allan Poe: Depression.
Johnny Depp: Panic Attacks.
Isaac Newton: Bipolar Disorder.
Howie Mandel: OCD.
Demi Lovato: Bipolar Disorder.
Abraham Lincoln: Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD.
Buzz Aldrin: Depression.
Ernest Hemingway: Bipolar Disorder.
Marlon Brando: Depression.
Darrell Hammond: PTSD.
Carrie Fisher: Bipolar Disorder.
Calvin Coolidge: Depression.
Stephen Fry: Bipolar Disorder.
Kurt Cobain: ADD & Bipolar Disorder.
Agatha Christie: Depression.
Teri Hatcher: PTSD.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: PTSD.
Whoopi Goldberg: PTSD.
Beyoncé: Depression.

Here we have world leaders, scientists, and entertainers. These people have changed the world despite their mental health issues.

Many of the people on this list are or were very open about their struggles with mental health as well. We discuss our mental health issues because we want others to stop feeling alone or like they have no one to turn to. When mental health issues are so prominent in the chronic illness community, why wouldn’t we discuss these as being just as valid and debilitating as other chronic illnesses?

Isn’t that the point of being a patient activist and blogger anyway?

Via Wisdom to Inspire

If Abe Lincoln can run the world, help fight a war, care for his wife’s mental health issues, and raise his kids while living with the very same three conditions I endure daily? I think I can conquer whatever lies ahead of me.

No Foolin’ – you can join me to kick arthritis right in the teeth

Posted on April 1, 2016December 5, 2021 by Grayson

I have been chosen as the Adult Honoree for the Walk to Cure Arthritis – Dane County.

Thanks, NY Mag!

Being diagnosed as a child with arthritis is difficult. There are a lot of parts of life that are hard to fit in when you’re ill from school to religious institutions (if you’re so inclined) to work. One of the biggest things that has gotten me through all the ick has been sharing it all with you.

And doing cool thing because of it.

My arthritis and chronic pain have led to some pretty badass things, like heading to DC, Stanford, and NYC, so I won’t actively spend time hating it…

It still sucks, though.

As the Adult Honoree for this event, I am asking for your support. How can you help?

Join or donate to my team!
Create your own team!
Walk with me on May 7th in the fight against arthritis!

Not sure if you should? Lemme lend you a hand.

Arthritis is America’s #1 cause of disability

Arthritis impacts more than 50 million Americans (1 in 5 adults) and 300,000 children (1 in every 250).
- In Wisconsin, the disease affects over 1 million residents, including 6,000 children.
Two-thirds of people with arthritis are under the age of 65.
Arthritis in children can cause eye inflammation and growth problems; it can also cause bones and joints to grow unevenly.
Each year, arthritis costs the U.S. economy more than $156 billion.

Arthritis is a serious health problem

There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis.
Arthritis limits physical activity more frequently than heart disease, cancer or diabetes.
Some forms of arthritis are autoimmune with inflammatory conditions that can affect the joints, muscles, eyes and internal organs.
Each year, arthritis results in nearly 10,000 deaths.

Thanks, SCV Arthritis & Autoimmune!

About the Walk to Cure Arthritis

The Arthritis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Arthritis is an annual, nationwide event that supports our mission of finding a cure and championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing information, advocacy, science, and community.
Funds raised through events nationwide support our work to speed up the timeline to a cure while also fighting for everyday victories. Every dollar raised helps pave the way to a lifetime of better.
On Saturday, May 7th at Vilas Park in Madison, residents will participate in the Walk to Cure Arthritis and experience the power of standing together to fight arthritis and giving back to the community.
To learn more about the Walk to Cure Arthritis or to register, visit arthritiswalk.org.

Get Freaky Friday: Sexy Talk with the Belchers

Posted on February 12, 2016December 5, 2021 by Grayson

Ah, Valentine’s weekend. It’s that special time where we all fund those giant corporations in order to show appreciation with chocolates and flowers once a year that we could show every day with kind words.

Courtesy of The Simpsons

Hooray capitalism!

Anyhow, let’s talk some sex for the big weekend, eh?

The boring definition is that sex is different for many people and a singular definition can’t really be pinned down.

The less boring definition is that it can be many things including the following: oral sex, anal sex, vaginal intercourse, scissoring, and manual sex/masturbation. This definition can change for each individual, especially those of us with disabilities. Some people with spinal cord injuries receive pleasure in certain non-traditionally sexual spots like their knee because that’s a spot where they may have some feeling.

One quick word? You’re probably going to learn a lot about me today.

Sorry fam.

Most people have their first sexual experience as some form of self-pleasure which can even happen in the womb.

Just don’t think about jerking it in your mom.

Ew.

Let’s get some anatomy down. First, please note that this is not meant to be an exhaustive post. While I aim to be inclusive, I know that using phrases from Bob’s Burgers like ‘lady parts’ and the like could make it not feel like that. I am also writing this from a very sex-positive, feminist viewpoint.

Now that we’ve got THAT out of the way…

A lot of sexualized parts are lady parts.

Yay, patriarchy!

Anyway…

We have boobs which I assume everyone is familiar with.

We have butts.

And we have vaginas.

It’s actually a LOT more complicated than that.

The vagina is something we are hopefully all somewhat familiar with, but if you’re not click here for an anatomical drawing.

We’re led to believe that vaginas are where it’s at. Porn and other depictions of sex tell us that women should achieve orgasm via vaginal penetration.

Guess what?

Only less than ten percent of women normally orgasm from penetration alone. The rest of us enjoy or rely on clitoral stimulation for our orgasms. If you don’t believe me, check out most vibrators. Ones like this one are generally made to ‘attack’ the clit, not for penetration.

Penises are funky. As a wife and a momma to three boy guinea pigs, I see enough on a regular basis to know.

If you haven’t, here is an anatomical drawing.

Also, yes, you can fracture the penis. Please be careful.

Anal sex can be enjoyable no matter your sexual orientation.

The best advice I can give is to use plenty of lube (and then even more!) and to speak up if anything isn’t comfortable.

If it doesn’t feel great, that probably means some parts are going to hurt worse than they should.

Also, towels are your friend.

Also also, maybe use some toys to get used to/try out the sensation first.

Toys can be pretty awesome.

For people with limited mobility or certain conditions (Sjogren’s for example), toys and sex furniture can be a great way to either get wet/hard or to experience an orgasm without having to experience too much in the way to discomfort.

Toys can also be a great way to experience self-pleasure, especially if you have any issues with orgasms due to medications or other reasons.

Please make sure to read directions on any toys you may get, however, as certain types of lubes aren’t compatible with certain toy materials. If you want to play it safe, water-based lubes are much more likely to be better for your body and your toys. I recommend Almost Naked from Good Clean Love.

Also pick up a cleaning solution for your toys. They can get really germy, especially certain materials, and lead to infections.

When in doubt, try to visit a sex-positive sex shop like The Tool Shed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

I promise we’ll explore more of these details as time goes on!

Happy Valentines Day! Go get you some!

Medical Monday: Medication Tips

Posted on December 14, 2015December 5, 2021 by Grayson

Before we dive into more medication tips, make sure you’ve entered this contest for a pill organizer (it ends tomorrow!) and have checked out the tips I have for managing your medications.

Some of the medications that we have to take aren’t pleasant, from infusions to shots to nasty tasting pills.

I’m looking at you, prednisone.

Here are some of the tips I’ve acquired over the years regarding medications.

1. Don’t try to take all the pills at once.

Oh, it seems like fun when you get it right, throwing the eight pills you take in the morning in your mouth in one go.

When it doesn’t work, though, you can actually choke.

Personal experience.

Please don’t.

2. Do consider taking pills with not water.

Some pills are easy to get stuck in our mouths. Drinking something slightly more viscous than water like moo juice can really help.

3. Prednisone should basically be taken with yogurt.

I’ve been on pred enough to know how nasty it tastes when it gets stuck in your mouth or throat, which it almost always seems to do.

Taking prednisone pills inside yogurt will help eliminate that while giving enough viscosity that the pills don’t get stuck.

4. Ice your tumtum while letting a refrigerated injection warm up…

So hey, let’s talk biologics.

When they’re cold, it hurts like all get out to inject them, so most docs recommend letting the injection sit out around 15 minutes to warm up.

This gives you perfect timing to gently ice the injection spot beforehand which will help lower the pain from the needle going in.

5. And ice right after you inject.

Injections hurt. Your body is already pretty full of body stuff, so piercing the skin and adding more goop isn’t always comfortable.

If you ice for a few minutes post-injection, it can help with any bruising AND pain.

6. Just rest during infusions.

Many have great ideas for being productive during infusions, bringing work or homework with them.

A lot of that anticipated productivity goes out the window, though.

Infusions suck. They make you tired, even if they’re just saline.

Please just rest. Bring a blanket and your laptop so you can watch Netflix and chill.

7. Take a deep breath.

It can be really easy, especially when starting a new medication, to be very worried and anxious. While it’s important to watch for potential side effects, it’s also important to try not to freak out too much.

Yes, I do realize the hypocrisy in my saying that.

I thought Enbrel or Humira were going to turn me into a hamster… and there’s a video on my youtube channel of me basically having a panic attack pre- and post-injection.

Try to do some meditation beforehand.

Take a shower.

Do whatever calms you, and remember that you’re not alone.