Author: Abby Poulter

  • The Trifecta: What is it and why do I have it?

    The Trifecta: What is it and why do I have it?

    Researchers are still trying to understand why POTS, EDS, and MCAS overlap so frequently, but many believe connective tissue dysfunction, nervous system dysregulation, and mast cell activity may all play a role. While the exact connection is still being studied, the overlap is becoming increasingly difficult for patients and researchers to ignore.

    Researchers are still trying to understand why POTS, EDS, and MCAS overlap so frequently, but many believe connective tissue dysfunction, nervous system dysregulation, and mast cell activity may all play a role. While the exact connection is still being studied, the overlap is becoming increasingly difficult for patients and researchers to ignore.

  • Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: An Unpredictable Storm

    Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: An Unpredictable Storm

    My body could be react to things it shouldn’t, at times that don’t make sense, in ways that are weird. Some days it’s mild, other days it feels like everything is flaring at once, my skin, my stomach, my heart, my head, all at the same time or rotating without warning. There’s no clear pattern,…

    My body could be react to things it shouldn’t, at times that don’t make sense, in ways that are weird. Some days it’s mild, other days it feels like everything is flaring at once, my skin, my stomach, my heart, my head, all at the same time or rotating without warning. There’s no clear pattern,…

  • Why Do I Feel Worse at High Altitude?

    Why Do I Feel Worse at High Altitude?

    Colorado is breathtaking, literally.

    Colorado is breathtaking, literally.

  • CRPS Isn’t Black and White. Stop Pretending It Is.

    CRPS Isn’t Black and White. Stop Pretending It Is.

    Living with CRPS means learning that medicine rarely offers simple answers. As social media debates treatments like spinal cord stimulators, it’s important to remember that real patients live in the gray areas where one person’s failure can be another person’s relief.

    Living with CRPS means learning that medicine rarely offers simple answers. As social media debates treatments like spinal cord stimulators, it’s important to remember that real patients live in the gray areas where one person’s failure can be another person’s relief.

  • My hEDS Diagnosis

    My hEDS Diagnosis

    It wasn’t quick. It wasn’t straightforward. It wasn’t easy. BUT… it’s real and it finally has a name!

    It wasn’t quick. It wasn’t straightforward. It wasn’t easy. BUT… it’s real and it finally has a name!

  • Loving Me (and My Baggage)

    Loving Me (and My Baggage)

    I spent years performing a version of myself that was easier to love. Chronic illness can’t hide, and neither should I. I am learning what it means to be chosen and loved without hiding what I am.

    I spent years performing a version of myself that was easier to love. Chronic illness can’t hide, and neither should I. I am learning what it means to be chosen and loved without hiding what I am.

  • Identity in Illness

    Identity in Illness

    You know that question everyone is eventually asked? Can people change? I used to think change was bold and chosen. Now I know it can happen under pressure until you become someone new just to keep breathing. Identity changes many times when you’re ill.

    You know that question everyone is eventually asked? Can people change? I used to think change was bold and chosen. Now I know it can happen under pressure until you become someone new just to keep breathing. Identity changes many times when you’re ill.

  • 26 Years In: Lessons and Resources I’ve Learned Along the Way: Part 2

    26 Years In: Lessons and Resources I’ve Learned Along the Way: Part 2

    Finding the right resources can be just as challenging as managing chronic illness itself. The tools, providers, organizations, and support shared here aren’t meant to be exhaustive or prescriptive. They reflect what I haev learned through my experiences, research, and advocacy. This is meant to be a starting point and adding additional resources is the…

    Finding the right resources can be just as challenging as managing chronic illness itself. The tools, providers, organizations, and support shared here aren’t meant to be exhaustive or prescriptive. They reflect what I haev learned through my experiences, research, and advocacy. This is meant to be a starting point and adding additional resources is the…

  • 26 Years In: Lessons and Resources I’ve Learned Along the Way: Part 1

    26 Years In: Lessons and Resources I’ve Learned Along the Way: Part 1

    The lessons I’ve learned through chronic illness didn’t come quickly or easily, but they’ve shaped how I approach care, information, and daily life. They’ve helped me better understand my body, trust my instincts, and move forward with more intention and compassion for myself.

    The lessons I’ve learned through chronic illness didn’t come quickly or easily, but they’ve shaped how I approach care, information, and daily life. They’ve helped me better understand my body, trust my instincts, and move forward with more intention and compassion for myself.

  • Things I Want To Do This Year

    Things I Want To Do This Year

    A bucket list for the year minus the pressure to complete it because isn’t living the point of life?

    A bucket list for the year minus the pressure to complete it because isn’t living the point of life?