I settled on the couch, the warmth of my cozy, heated vest wrapped around my aching body. But in that moment, even prescription pain medicine failed to bring relief. The clock on my MacBook taunted me. It was already past 3 a.m., and I found myself wide-eyed, lost in the…
All people encounter daily concerns and stresses that affect their mental well-being. Although commonplace stressors are inevitable, they can become overwhelming and lead to emotional upheaval when not managed well. The pulmonary hypertension (PH) community faces these everyday worries, plus the added stress that a rare disease brings.
Last month I struggled with my mental health more than usual. My anxiety was out of control. I recognized that I needed more help and went to see a psychiatrist my primary care physician had suggested a few times. She ordered a few medications at a low dose. But…
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be stressful for anyone. When living with pulmonary hypertension (PH) or another chronic illness, the holidays can be overwhelming and exhausting. This year was the first time I did not cook a Thanksgiving meal. We went out to eat and then…
Living in the moment feels like an impossible feat while managing a chronic illness. It is hard to keep my mind on the present when so much of my energy is spent planning future appointments, scheduling upcoming tests and procedures, and waiting to hear about previous…
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