Living with a chronic illness or disability is already a full-time job. Managing symptoms, appointments, and daily life can take a lot of energy. On top of that, asking your employer for accommodations can feel overwhelming and even scary. What is the best way to approach having that talk? Here, PatientsLikeMe breaks the process so… Continue reading What Helped Reduce the Mental Load of Asking for Accommodations at Work
Tag: Awareness
What Questions Help Clarify Whether Parkinson’s Symptoms Are Progressing
One of the hardest parts of living with Parkinson’s disease is not just the symptoms, it is the uncertainty! Is what you’re noticing a sign that things are getting worse, or just a normal change? Parkinson’s is a progressive condition, but it does not move in a straight, predictable line for anyone. Symptoms can vary… Continue reading What Questions Help Clarify Whether Parkinson’s Symptoms Are Progressing
Depression Symptoms That Often Go Unrecognized Because They Do Not Look Like Sadness
When most people think of depression, they think of sadness as the primary emotion. While that can be true, it is only part of the picture. Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It also affects how you think, behave, and even how your body feels.… Continue reading Depression Symptoms That Often Go Unrecognized Because They Do Not Look Like Sadness
Life Interrupted MS: How MS Flares Affect Work and What People Do to Cope
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can affect many parts of daily life. One of the biggest concerns for many people is how it impacts your work. You may already be familiar with the unpredictable nature of flare-ups. These episodes can make it harder to stay consistent, manage responsibilities, and keep your usual routine… Continue reading Life Interrupted MS: How MS Flares Affect Work and What People Do to Cope
Invisible Work: Energy Banking and How to Navigate Standing Room Only Events When Sitting Is Not Guaranteed
There are so many tasks throughout the day that ask you for a small amount of energy. Washing some dishes, walking to the store, helping your partner move furniture around. In a vacuum, each individual event may be easy to do. But added up over time it can very difficult, particularly for people with chronic… Continue reading Invisible Work: Energy Banking and How to Navigate Standing Room Only Events When Sitting Is Not Guaranteed
SoundsLikeMe: When Symptoms Persist Despite Treatment What Are the Next Options?
For many people, healthcare follows the same path. You notice something is not right, you see a doctor, get a diagnosis, and start treatment. Often, that treatment works! Your symptoms improve and you move forward. But for some the journey is far more complicated. Maybe the medications help, but not enough. Maybe the side effects… Continue reading SoundsLikeMe: When Symptoms Persist Despite Treatment What Are the Next Options?
Life Interrupted: My Blood Pressure Was 150 Over 95 – Now What Happens Next?
High blood pressure is one of the most common and most misunderstood health conditions. It is often called the “silent killer” because you can feel perfectly fine while damage quietly builds inside your body. In 2023 alone, high blood pressure was a primary or contributing cause to over 664,000 deaths in the United States. Today,… Continue reading Life Interrupted: My Blood Pressure Was 150 Over 95 – Now What Happens Next?
Together with PLM: What Changes in a Marriage When One Partner Becomes a Caregiver
When people imagine growing older together, they picture the gentle parts of life. They imagine traveling together or visiting grandkids. What they usually do not think about is the moment when one spouse begins needing help with daily tasks. The day medications and doctor appointments start shaping the schedule. The moment marriage quietly expands to… Continue reading Together with PLM: What Changes in a Marriage When One Partner Becomes a Caregiver
Together With PLM: The First 90 Days After Starting Dialysis and What Often Feels Hardest
Starting dialysis is one of the biggest life changes a person with chronic kidney disease can go through. While dialysis is a life-saving treatment, the adjustment period can feel overwhelming! The first 90 days after starting dialysis are widely recognized as the most challenging time period. Here, patients adapt physically, emotionally, and mentally to a… Continue reading Together With PLM: The First 90 Days After Starting Dialysis and What Often Feels Hardest
SoundsLikeMe: Warning Signs After a Heart Attack That Are Easy to Dismiss During Recovery
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in the United States survive a heart attack and get back to full, productive lives. But the weeks and months after a heart attack are a critical time. Many people focus on “getting back to normal.” In doing so, they sometimes ignore symptoms that could mean complications or… Continue reading SoundsLikeMe: Warning Signs After a Heart Attack That Are Easy to Dismiss During Recovery