Category Archives: Occupying

Hypersensitive

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

FDA recently issued a warning about the risk of rare but serious skin reactions to acetaminophen. Widely known by the brand name Tylenol, acetaminophen is an active ingredient in many prescription and over-the-counter medicines for pain, headaches, migraine, cold and … Continue reading →

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How To Be Sick (Giveaway!)

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

I have been a fan of Toni Bernhard’s book How To Be Sick since it first came out in 2010. There is now an audiobook version available, which is fantastic for people who are too sick to read, and we … Continue reading →

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Data Queen

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

One of the biggest weapons I have in the fight against ME/CFS is data. I keep track of my activities, medications, sleep, and symptoms daily, and over time that data can be very powerful. I’ve blogged extensively about wearing a … Continue reading →

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Heart Rate and Beta Blockers

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

Beta blockers are routinely prescribed to ME/CFS patients who have orthostatic intolerance. But because of the medication’s effects on heart rate, it can be challenging to incorporate heart rate monitoring into the picture. After some uncertainty, I have managed to … Continue reading →

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Meeting METS

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

It has been more than a year since I had a two-day exercise test. My exercise test report was full of all kinds of jargon, and over the last year I have been trying to decode and apply it to … Continue reading →

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Sometimes It’s One of Those Times

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

Sometimes, life just vomits in your lap. One thing after another goes wrong, and you feel like you’re juggling roaring chainsaws while pedaling a unicycle. Or maybe that’s just me. 2013 has been challenging, to say the least. I’m fully … Continue reading →

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I Thank You

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

When I uploaded my Crash Day 3 video on Monday, I was scared. In fact, I almost didn’t do it. I can’t control the fact that I have crashes, but I can control who sees me that way. Like most … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Moving On Up

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

For years, the Pacific Fatigue Lab at the University of the Pacific has done the best research on exercise and ME/CFS. Staci Stevens, Dr. Chris Snell, and their collaborators perfected the use of two-day cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in people … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying, Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What a Crash Looks Like

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

On the suggestion of my friend Claudia, I recorded a video of myself on the third day after the FDA Drug Development Workshop on ME and CFS. I had to swallow my pride to do this. Even some members of … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments

Ring Theory

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

We’ve all had the experience of someone saying the wrong thing to us about our disease. “I hate that you always cancel at the last minute.” “You rest all day. Can’t you make dinner once in awhile?” “Work is killing … Continue reading →

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