#LifewithPain
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myseveralworlds.com
Mirror: Lookin' good today.
Grocery store window: You could use some sleep.
Target checkout camera: T'was winter when she contracted the cholera, quickly succumbed & was buried in a shallow grave marked with a rough-hewn tombstone & wisps of lemongrass.
@paigekellerman.bsky.social

#MySeveralWorlds
Mirror: Lookin' good today. Grocery store window: You could probably use some sleep. Target checkout camera: T'was winter when she contracted the cholera, quickly succumbed, and was buried in a shallow grave marked only with a rough-hewn tombstone and wisps of lemongrass. Credit: Paige Kellerman @PaigeKellerman #MySeveralWorlds #SpoonieHumour #LifeWithPain
October 8, 2026 at 3:53 PM
myseveralworlds.com
Appropriate after spending the whole night at the Carleton Place Chamber of Commerce mixer masking my pain and migraine.

CHRONIC ILLNESS MASKING

Forcing yourself to keep plans even when you feel awful.

@THEMIGRAINENETWORK

#MySeveralWorlds #LifewithPain #Masking #InvisibleDisabilityAwareness
Appropriate after spending the whole night at the Carleton Place Chamber of Commerce mixer masking my pain and migraine. CHRONIC ILLNESS MASKING The invisible ways we pretend to be "okay,” even when we're not. Forcing yourself to keep plans even when you feel awful. Over-explaining or justifying why you can't do something. Powering through when you need rest. Saying "I'm fine" when you're anything but. Laughing to hide brain fog or confusion. Hiding mobility aids or medications out of embarrassment. Minimizing your symptoms so you don't seem "dramatic." Silently struggling because asking for support feels too vulnerable. Pretending noise or light isn't bothering you. Acting "normal" so no one worries. Apologizing for needing help. Smiling when you're in pain. Credit: @THEMIGRAINENETWORK #MySeveralWorlds #MigraineAwareness #LifewithPain #Masking #InvisibleDisabilityAwareness
October 7, 2026 at 6:23 PM
myseveralworlds.com
My little dwarf with a pick axe has been very active these past two months. I am still averaging 2-4 health appointments a week.
This results in HIP Days. (High Impact Pain Days) It's my way of using some humor for pain.

#PainAwarenessMonth #PAM2026 #MySeveralWorlds #ChronicPainIs #LifeWithPain
My little dwarf with a pick axe has been very active these past two months. I am still averaging 2-4 health appointments a week. Next week I have five appointments that conclude with an MRI next Saturday. The following week begins with a bang and another full appointment with my GP about the ER fiasco. So I'm stressed out from doing too much and that results in HIP Days. (High Impact Pain Days) This is my way of using some humor for pain. #PainAwarenessMonth #PAM2026 #MySeveralWorlds #ChronicPainIs #LifeWithPain
September 26, 2026 at 3:51 PM
myseveralworlds.com
17 long years of waking up in pain & feeling like someone took a meat tenderizer to my body. I don't know how we get through other than through willpower. If I didn't have basic pain treatment options, I don't know where I'd be now.

#PainAwarenessMonth #LifeWithPain #PAM2026
#MySeveralWorlds
LIFE WITH CHRONIC PAIN 17 long years of waking up in pain and feeling like someone took a meat tenderizer to my whole body. I don't know how we get through this day after day other than through willpower. If I didn't have basic pain treatment options, I don't know where I'd be now. LEARN MORE AT My Several Worlds - Stories of Disability, Illness & Belonging #PainAwarenessMonth #LifeWithPain #PAM2026 #MySeveralWorlds
September 17, 2026 at 4:18 PM
myseveralworlds.com
There is a severe shortage of pain specialists w approx 30,000 Americans in pain for every board certified pain specialist. This shortage is caused by a difficult path to specializing in pain treatment & negative public scrutiny.
MySeveralWorlds.com
#PainAwarenessMonth #PAM2026 #LetsTalkAboutPain
Did You Know? "There is a severe shortage of pain specialists with approximately 30,000 Americans in pain for every board certified pain specialist. This shortage is caused by a difficult path to specializing in pain treatment plus negative public scrutiny." Credit: MySeveral Worlds.com #PainAwarenessMonth #PAM2026 #LifeWithPain #LetsTalkAboutPain
September 9, 2026 at 4:08 PM
myseveralworlds.com
"Pain is the #1 symptom for which people consult doctors. Abuse of opioids by pain patients is extremely rare. Not treating people who are in pain is barbaric.
It's unfortunate that so many doctors are so far behind the times." @docbear7.bsky.social

#MySeveralWorlds #PAM2026 #PainAwarenessMonth
September is #PainAwarenessMonth and #ArthritisAwarenessMonth. FRIENDLY REMINDER from Dr. Emmett Smith aka @DocBear "I've said this many times: Pain is the #1 symptom for which people consult doctors. Abuse of opioids by pain patients is extremely rare. Not treating people who are in pain is barbaric. It's unfortunate that so many doctors are so far behind the times as regards these topics." #MySeveralWorlds #PAM2026 #LifeWithPain
September 1, 2026 at 4:06 PM
myseveralworlds.com
#Costochondritis

1. Chest pain: Sharp or aching near the breastbone and ribs.
2. Tenderness: Sensitive to touch in the rib cage.
3. Pain with movement
4. Pain spreading
5. Swelling (rare)

Credit: Fibro Colors

#FibromyalgiaWarrior #LifeWithPain #AxSpA #MySeveralWorlds
#Costochondritis 1. Chest pain: Sharp or aching near the breastbone and ribs. 2. Tenderness: Sensitive to touch in the rib cage. 3. Pain with movement: Breathing, coughing, or physical activity worsens it. 4. Pain spreading: May radiate to the back, shoulders, or arms. 5. Swelling (rare): Mild swelling near the affected area. Credit: Fibro Colors Fibromyalgia Awareness #FibromyalgiaWarrior #LifeWithPain #AxSpA #MySeveralWorlds
August 23, 2026 at 3:44 PM
myseveralworlds.com
"The fibro body can certainly take longer to heal after any trauma, surgery, invasive procedure or accident. It can affect not only muscles, but tendons, ligaments, joints, bones, blood vessels, organs and multiple systems of the body."

#MySeveralWorlds #SupportFibro #TeamFibro #FibroNerds
FIBRO FACTO: "The fibro body can certainly take longer to heal after any trauma, surgery, invasive procedure or accident. Even a simple blood draw can act like a trauma to the fibro body. It can affect not only muscles, but tendons, ligaments, joints, bones, blood vessels, organs and multiple systems of the body." Credit: LIVING SMARTER WITH FIBROMYALGIA.COM © #MySeveralWorlds #SupportFibro #TeamFibro #FibroNerds #LifeWithPain. #FibromyalgiaAwareness
August 21, 2026 at 4:45 PM
myseveralworlds.com
PAIN LEVELS

Average person:
Normal day.
Go to ER.

Chronically ill person:
Our normal day starts at the pain level an average person would go to ER.

When it is twice as bad, we *think* about going to ER, but most of us don't.

@spooniesaga

#MySeveralWorlds #LifeWithPain #ChronicTruths
PAIN LEVELS Average person: Normal day. Go to ER. Chronically ill person: Our normal day starts at the pain level an average person would go to ER. When it is twice as bad, we *think* about going to ER, but most of us don't as ER often makes us worse. 🤷‍♀️ Creditv @spooniesaga not medical advice #MySeveralWorlds #LifeWithPain #ChronicTruths
June 10, 2026 at 2:49 PM
myseveralworlds.com
"Things that aren't talked about enough with chronic illness & pain

the fear of being seen as 'complaining' when you're just being honest about how hard it is."

Credit: @dear_chronic_pain

#MyChronicLife #LifeWithPain #MySeveralWorlds
"Things that aren't talked about enough with chronic illness & pain the fear of being seen as 'complaining' when you're just being honest about how hard it is." Credit: @dear_chronic_pain #MyChronicLife #LifeWithPain #MySeveralWorlds
April 30, 2026 at 4:10 PM
myseveralworlds.com
Non verbal signs of pain
*Face expressions
*Body posture
*Crying and sounds of distress
*Withdrawal from activity or to silence
*Mood changes: quick to anger, aggression, irritability & agitation
*Confusion
*Hand movements show distress/pain
*Excessive sweating
🔗
MySeveralWorlds.com
#PainAwareness
Non verbal signs of pain: 😟 Facial expressions 🧍‍♀️Body posture. (Pain patients tend to protect their body by holding their limbs close or move unnaturally in an attempt to protect their body) 😭 Crying and sounds of distress Withdrawal from activity or into silence 🤬 Mood changes - quick to anger, aggression, irritability, and agitation 😕 Confusion 👐 Hand movements can show distress or pain 🥵 Excessive sweating 🔗 MySeveralWorlds.com #PainAwareness #PainCounts #LifeWithPain #CPP #ArthritisAwareness #ArthritisStrong #MySeveralWorlds #SuicideAwareness
March 29, 2026 at 3:42 PM
myseveralworlds.com
"Life with #ChronicPain is constantly looking at something that brings you joy, assessing how much pain it might cause in the future & deciding if the trade off is worth it. It often isn't, but there's crushing boredom in
prioritizing your health."
DearFibromyalgia
#LifeWithPain #MySeveralWorlds
"Life with chronic pain is just constantly looking at something that brings you joy, assessing how much pain it might cause you in the future, and then deciding if the trade off is worth it. It often isn't, but there's such a crushing boredom in prioritizing your health sometimes." Credit: DearFibromyalgia #LifeWithPain #MySeveralWorlds #PainAwareness #SupportFibro #TeamFibro
February 4, 2026 at 4:26 PM
myseveralworlds.com
Nonverbal communication is silent communication. It is seen & observed through eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, posture & body language. Pay attention to these signs when you are with somebody who lives with #ChronicPain.
MySeveralWorlds.com
#PainAwareness #LifeWithPain #MySeveralWorlds
Nonverbal communication is silent communication. It is seen and observed through eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, posture, and body language. Pay attention to these signs when you are with somebody who lives with chronic pain. Here are some other nonverbal signs of pain: 😟 Facial expressions 🧍‍♀️Body posture. (Pain patients tend to protect their body by holding their limbs close or move unnaturally in an attempt to protect their body) 😭 Crying and sounds of distress Withdrawal from activity or into silence 🤬 Mood changes - quick to anger, aggression, irritability, and agitation 😕 Confusion 👐 Hand movements can show distress or pain 🥵 Excessive sweating 🔗 Credit: MySeveralWorlds.com #PainAwareness #PainCounts #LifeWithPain #CPP #ArthritisAwareness #ArthritisStrong #MySeveralWorlds #SuicideAwareness
January 27, 2026 at 6:54 PM
myseveralworlds.com
#Fibromyalgia is
Noise Sensitivity
Smell Sensitivity
Chemical Sensitivity
Envionment Sensitivity
Weather Sensitivity
Sensory Sensitivity Medication Sensitivity
Skin Sensitivity
Touch Sensitivity
Taste Sensitivity
Food Sensitivity
Credit Unknown
#MySeveralWorlds #LifeWithPain #FibroNerds
#ChronicPain
#Fibromyalgia is Noise Sensitivity Smell Sensitivity Chemical Sensitivity Envionment Sensitivity Weather Sensitivity Sensory Sensitivity Medication Sensitivity Skin Sensitivity Touch Sensitivity Taste Sensitivity Food Sensitivity Credit Unknown #MySeveralWorlds #LifeWithPain #ChronicPainIs #SupportFibro #TeamFibro #FibroNerds
November 6, 2025 at 2:59 AM
myseveralworlds.com
#LifeWithPain
"16 years of waking up in severe pain & feeling like someone hit me with a meat tenderizer. I don't know how we get thru this day after day other than willpower. If I didn't have basic pain treatment options, I don't know where I'd be." #MySeveralWorlds
#PAM2025
#PainAwarenessMonth
LIFE WITH CHRONIC PAIN "16 long years of waking up in severe pain and feeling like someone took a meat tenderizer to my whole body. I don't know how we get through this day after day other than through willpower. If I didn't have basic pain treatment options, I don't know where I'd be now." ~Carrie, My Several Worlds #PAM2025 #MySeveralWorlds #PainAwarenessMonth #LifeWithPain #ChronicPainIs
September 17, 2025 at 4:50 AM
myseveralworlds.com
My view for 15+ years: bed to chair. Always on ice. #LifeWithPain
Flares never get easier or more bearable. #Spondyloarthritis #fibromyalgia & #MECFS are the most consistent things in my life. You hit the same point repeatedly. Simponi stopped working in July 2024. Rinvoq failed in Sept 2025.
My view for 15+ years: bed to chair. Always on ice. #LifeWithPain Flares never get easier or more bearable. #Spondyloarthritis & fibromyalgia and MECFS are the most consistent things in my life. You hit the same point repeatedly. You want to stop trying, but you don't. I didn't know it then but this is when Simponi stopped working for me in the summer of 2024. I was waiting for approval for the next biologic. Today, in September 2025, I am waiting I'm the same positio for yet another treatment as Rinvoq has failed. Credit: Carrie Kellenberger aka globetrotteri #MySeveralWorlds #LifeWithPain #ChronicPainIs #AnkylosingSpondylitisWarrior
September 15, 2025 at 3:30 AM
myseveralworlds.com
All of it this week. A big pile of hurt!

Dysautonomia Chronic Pain
Common Causes:

🧠 Headaches & Migraine
😣 "Coat Hanger" pain in the neck
😧Chest Pain
😵‍💫Muscle & Joint Pain
😭Burning Nerve Pain on the Skin
🫩Abdominal Pain

Credit Unknown

#LifeWithPain #POTS #Dysautonomia #MySeveralWorlds
All of it this week. A big pile of hurt! Dysautonomia Chronic Pain Common Causes: 🧠 Headaches & Migraine 😣 "Coat Hanger" pain in the neck 😧Chest Pain 😵‍💫Muscle & Joint Pain 😭Burning Nerve Pain on the Skin 🫩Abdominal Pain Credit Unknown
August 27, 2025 at 3:47 AM
myseveralworlds.com
CHRONICALLY OVER IT

🥱 Waiting months for an appt only to be told you need more tests.

🙄 Medications that give you more symptoms than you had before you took it.

😀 The daily act of pretending you're okay when you're not.

Via Dear Chronic Pain
#LifeWithPain #ChronicTruths #MySeveralWorlds
CHRONICALLY OVER IT 🥱 Waiting months for an appointment only to be told you need more tests. 🙄 Medications that give you more symptoms than you had before you took it. 🫩 Wasting an entire day resting only to be exhausted still. 😲 The thrilling game of "Which symptom will surprise me today?" 😀 The daily act of pretending you're okay when you're not. 😔 Having your energy run out halfway through a simple task. 🫤 Explaining the same thing over and over again to people who don't quite get it. 🫨 Seeing doctor after doctor and only leaving with more frustrations. Credit: Dear Chronic Pain #LifeWithPain #ChronicTruths #MySeveralWorlds #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain
August 24, 2025 at 3:10 AM
myseveralworlds.com
8 Ways #ChronicPain Changes You

Today I’m focusing on eight basic facts about #LifeWithPain.

Pain is not weakness. Pain is toughing it out each day when you feel your worst. Getting through each day IS the miracle.
YOU are the miracle!" ~Carrie, MSW
🔗
www.myseveralworlds.com/2022/09/24/8...
8 Ways Chronic Pain Changes You There are many ways chronic pain changes you, but today I’m focusing on eight basic facts about life with pain. "Pain is not weakness. Pain is toughing it out each day when you feel your worst. It’s humbling to live w #pain. We adapt & grow in the darkest corners of our lives. Getting through each day IS the miracle. YOU are the miracle!" 8 Ways #ChronicPain Changes You 🔗 https://www.myseveralworlds.com/2022/09/24/8-ways-chronic-pain-changes-you/ 1. Chronic pain affects every aspect of your life. 2. Chronic pain has lasting effects on your body. 3. Chronic pain limits your ability to where can earn money. 4. Chronic pain changes your personality. 5. Chronic pain can affect your confidence. 6. Chronic pain can change your relationships with others. 7. Chronic pain makes you fearful and scared. 8. Living with chronic pain requires a superhuman power of pain tolerance.
May 24, 2025 at 3:38 AM
myseveralworlds.com
Non verbal signs of pain:

😟 Facial expressions
🧍‍♀️Body posture
😭 Crying / sounds of distress
🫥 Withdrawal from activity
🤬 Mood changes - anger, aggression, irritability
😕 Confusion
👐 Hand movements
🥵 Excessive sweating

Carrie, MySeveralWorlds.com

#PainAwareness #LifeWithPain #ChronicPain
Non verbal signs of pain: 😟 Facial expressions 🧍‍♀️Body posture. (Pain patients tend to protect their body by holding their limbs close or move unnaturally in an attempt to protect their body) 😭 Crying and sounds of distress 🫥 Withdrawal from activity or into silence 🤬 Mood changes - quick to anger, aggression, irritability, and agitation 😕 Confusion 👐 Hand movements can show distress or pain 🥵 Excessive sweating 🔗 Carrie, MySeveralWorlds.com #PainAwareness #PainCounts #LifeWithPain #ChronicPain #ArthritisAwarenessMonth #SuicideAwareness
April 13, 2025 at 5:49 AM
myseveralworlds.com
Non verbal signs of pain:

😟 Facial expressions
🧍‍♀️Body posture
😭 Crying and sounds of distress
🫥Withdrawal from activity or into silence
🤬 Mood changes
😕 Confusion
👐 Hand movements
🥵 Excessive sweating
🔗
MySeveralWorlds.com

#PainAwareness #PainCounts #LifeWithPain #ChronicPain #ArthritisAwareness
Non verbal signs of pain: 😟 Facial expressions 🧍‍♀️Body posture. (Pain patients tend to protect their body by holding their limbs close or move unnaturally in an attempt to protect their body) 😭 Crying and sounds of distress Withdrawal from activity or into silence 🤬 Mood changes - quick to anger, aggression, irritability, and agitation 😕 Confusion 👐 Hand movements can show distress or pain 🥵 Excessive sweating 🔗 MySeveralWorlds.com
January 21, 2025 at 3:24 AM
myseveralworlds.com
I missed my funny for today because I was up until 4am and then at the hospital. #LifeWithPain #ChronicIllness

"How was your year?"
"It was a bit f*cked, if you ask me."

Image of Eddie the Eagle
Credit Unknown
"How was your year?" "It was a bit f*cked, if you ask me." Image of Eddie the Eagle Credit Unknown
December 30, 2024 at 8:38 AM
myseveralworlds.com
#ChronicPain is unending and never-ending and when we receive unsolicited health advice on how to cope, it makes it even harder… It’s exhausting to have to fight pain… I do not remember what it feels like to have a pain-free day.
🔗
buff.ly/3NZ2H3v

#CPP #LifeWithPain
#ChronicIlness #Fibromyalgia
#ChronicPain is unending and never-ending and when we receive unsolicited health advice on how to cope, it makes it even harder… It’s exhausting to have to fight pain… I do not remember what it feels like to have a pain-free day. Carrie is wearing a blue, teal, orange, and white geometric top with sunglasses and a white hat. The text on the image is this quote followed by the name of my article, 'Unsolicited Health Advice From 'Online Pain Professionals' Is The Worst." #CPP
November 23, 2024 at 4:16 PM
myseveralworlds.com
Throat pain is rarely talked about with #ME & #Fibromyalgia patients. I lost a 20 year career in music thanks to this symptom. It is a common symptom. Do you experience hoarseness and throat pain?
🔗
buff.ly/3148cFt

#pwME #MECFS
#FibromyalgiaAwareness #MEAwarenessHour
#LifeWithPain
Carrie is singing in a microphone in the banner image for her article on Throat Pain with Fibromyalgia and MECFS: A Moderate to Severe Symptom
November 22, 2024 at 5:22 AM
todd-m-stein.bsky.social
#NoShame
#ChronicallyIll
#DynamicallyDisabled
#ChronicPain
#PainChangesPeople
#ChronicPainChangesEverything
#99PrescriptionsButAPainPillAintOne
#MyPainMatters
#LifeInPain
#LifeWithPain
#IUsedToHaveAGreatLife
#IMissMe
Wishing you all the best for pain free lives, years, months, days or moments. —TMS.
July 19, 2026 at 11:51 PM