The Chronic Chronicles

Selma Blair rocked a cane at the Oscar’s and I am so damn proud of the representation. She’s kicking ass for her first public appearance since her MS diagnosis.

[image description: a simple chart of a human body with arrows pointing at different parts of it. The title and subtitle say “Some common Symptoms of Mast Cell Disease that are caused by mast cell mediator release. Patients may have a few or many symptoms.” At each of the arrows is a body part/system listed, with possible symptoms concerning that part. They are:

Skeletal - bone/muscle pain, osteopenia, osteoporosis

Gastrointestinal - diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Ear/Throat/Nose/Respiratory - nasal itching and congestion, throat itching and swelling, wheezing, shortness of breath

Neurological - headache, brain fog, cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, depression

Cutaneous (Skin) - flushing of the face/neck/chest, hives, skin rashes, itching with or without rash

Cardiovascular - light-headedness, syncope (fainting), rapid heart rate, chest pain, low blood pressure, high blood pressure at the start of a reaction, blood pressure instability

Gynecological - uterine cramps, bleeding

Urinary - bladder irritability, frequent voiding

Systemic and/or Organ Specific - anaphylaxis, angioedema (swelling)

Fatigue can make you daydream about your bed, and people living with MS know that feeling all too well. Here are some useful tips to help you manage: bit.ly/MSLL-fatigue-tips

Me:

Dont compare yourself or your illness to them, every illness affects every person differently.

Do not mistake me leaving the house for being well.