Meet TrixieSwizzle, PatientsLikeMe member since 2017. TrixieSwizzle has been managing her Major Depressive Disorder for as long as she can remember. She has also been living with HIV since 2002. She believes strongly in the power of sharing your story as a form of therapy and is an open book about her condition. “I have …
Member Story: Living with Major Depressive Disorder Read More »
Finding accurate and reliable health information has become more confusing for patients than ever before. By examining where patients are getting their information — for example, from trained healthcare professionals or their peers — and their ability to determine the most reliable sources can help the industry and patients better understand the importance of providing …
Health Information: What Sources Do People Trust? Read More »
Meet Dave (@SlowDave) Dave, a retired attorney, and avid mountain biker was riding in the car with his wife when he felt very dizzy, asked her to pull over, and collapsed on the side of the road in 2005. This incident sparked many subsequent trips to the emergency room and meetings with neurologists and other …
Everyone needs it, but sometimes the hardest thing to do is to ask for help. Opening yourself up to feeling vulnerable, especially when you are already feeling compromised by your condition, can be challenging. It is important to remember; you do not have to shoulder it alone. Your chronic health condition may force your hand …
Meet Trisha (@DXMS06) Before Trisha Bordelon, a 69-year-old PatientsLikeMe (PLM) user from Springfield, Missouri, officially received any diagnosis, she was guilty of what many of us in her shoes would do – spend hours going down a rabbit hole of internet searches to try and figure out what was going on with her health. She …
Lessons Learned on a Seventeen Year Journey to Diagnosis Read More »
7.5 million Americans and 125 million people worldwide are living with psoriasis. Some factors can make the summer months challenging for people with psoriasis, including dry air conditioning, increased sweating, and feeling self-conscious about exposing your skin. However, it is not all bad news – the summer also provides a few surprising ways to improve your …
The Surprising Benefits of Summer for Your Psoriasis Read More »
Roller coasters, water slides, tilt-whirls, and Ferris wheels are all exciting ways to spend your summer afternoon, but when you use a wheelchair, these options might not be accessible to you. This does not mean that you should cancel your next trip to a theme park. In fact, The American Disabilities Act has set an …
4 Theme Park Tips for Physically Disabled People Read More »
If you have a chronic condition, enjoying summertime social events like backyard BBQs can be challenging. The burgers, pasta salads, and custom cocktails are often tempting, but they can trigger your symptoms and lead to health flair-ups. Good news – your dietary restrictions do not have to end all your fun. With just a little …
BYO-BBQ: Navigating a Cookout with Dietary Restrictions Read More »
Meet Alyshia Alyshia Merchant was always healthy, but as a busy mom, she did experience fatigue from time to time. However, it wasn’t until she was out to dinner in 2012 when the early signs of her condition became more apparent. Her friends pointed out a rash that had spread across her cheeks and nose. …
From Lupus Diagnosis to Fearless Patient Advocate Read More »
Receiving a difficult diagnosis can leave you with a mix of complex emotions and saying it out loud to others makes it feel even more real. Sharing your illness with friends, family members, and acquaintances can be as challenging as getting the news yourself in the first place. Therefore, it’s essential to learn how to …
How to Tell Friends and Family About a Difficult Diagnosis Read More »
