Listen in for today’s answer from a Spotify listener:  “What show are you currently watching?”

Being highly motivated while trapped in a chronically ill body isn’t easy, but there are some things we can do to make it feel a little bit easier. ~ Sarah Reid

In today’s episode I’m talking about things that I struggle with:

Maybe you can relate. If so, listen in to hear some tips I use to help me manage these struggles.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s episode. You can connect with me on Instagram @be_potsitive 

Check out my new earring business! I’m on Facebook: Be POTSitive Creations and on Instagram: @bepotsitive_creations

** If you have a burning question you want me to answer in a future episode, feel free to dm me on my Instagram @be_potsitive!

Thanks for joining me! Stay strong, my spoonie friends. 

Listen in for today’s answer from Instagram follower  @chroniclly.Izzy: “How old were you when you were diagnosed?”

Think back to previous things that have helped you and use them to your advantage!

-Sarah Reid

In today’s episode I’ll be talking about how I handled being a bridesmaid. There was a lot of preparation and quite a few accommodations that went into allowing me to function well on the big day.

Even if you’re not a bridesmaid, I hope you can use some of the tips I share. 

As promised, here are the links I mentioned:

Biolyte (Use the coupon code SARAHREID10 to get 10% off your order)

My Diagnosis Journey, podcast Episode 26

POTS oil from HealingOilsRN on Etsy

Thanks for listening!

I’d love to hear from you! Connect with me on Instagram @be_potsitive  And check out my chronic illness merch on Redbubble where you’ll find lots of cute items to make you smile and raise awareness for our community.

** If you have a burning question you want me to answer in a future episode, feel free to dm me on my Instagram @be_potsitive!

If you purchase Biolyte using my link, I’ll receive a small commission. You won’t have to pay any extra for your purchase though. It’s a win-win!

Listen in for today’s answer from a Spotify listener:  “Was there ever a time when your parents didn’t believe you were sick (like when you first started showing symptoms)?”

  “Your resolutions don’t have to be crazy big to have a big impact on your year.  ~Sarah Reid

Ringing in a new year with ongoing health challenges is not for of the faint of heart. There are so many elements - physical, emotional, and mental that need to be acknowledged and dealt with. Throw in the pressure to have big resolutions and it can be overwhelming!

In today’s episode, my goal is to help you, my friend, know that you can have a bangin’ 2024 - with some spectacular New Year Resolutions in spite of the challenges you face.

A few of the takeaways from today’s podcast:

Listen in to hear the rest!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s episode. You can connect with me on Instagram @be_potsitive 

Check out my new earring business! I’m on Facebook: Be POTSitive Creations and on Instagram: @bepotsitive_creations

** If you have a burning question you want me to answer in a future episode, feel free to dm me on my Instagram @be_potsitive!

Thanks for joining me! Stay strong, my spoonie friends. 

Listen in for today’s answer from an anonymous Instagram follower:  “What’s one Christmas tradition you love?” 

“It’s ok if your Christmas festivities have to look a little different this year” ~Sarah Reid

Christmas, just like everything else in our lives, can be challenging with a chronic illness. In today’s episode, I’ll be talking a little bit about how to handle a few of those challenges. 

Hopefully, you’ll take away some ideas for dealing with things like fear of missing out and being nervous about asking for accommodations. And, of course, some encouragement for creating your own Christmas traditions.

If you’re on Spotify and watching the video of today’s podcast, you’ll see that I’m wearing some Christmas pjs to feel extra festive!🙂

I’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s episode.  You can connect with me on Instagram @be_potsitive 

Check out my new earring business! I’m on Facebook: Be POTSitive Creations and on Instagram: @bepotsitive_creations

** If you have a burning question you want me to answer in a future episode, feel free to dm me on my Instagram @be_potsitive!

Thanks for listening!

Listen in for today’s answer from Instagram follower: @Millie.and.sarah

 “If you had 24 hours in a healthy body, what would you do in those 24 hours?”

Grief will probaby come in waves, but remember joy comes back around too. - Sarah Reid

Today we’ll be talking about a topic that I think needs more discussion: How you can simultaneously grieve getting a diagnosis and feel grateful for that same diagnosis. 

I’ll also be offering some perspective for those of you who have a loved one in this challenging situation. 

My shoutout of the day goes to my new earring business! You can check it out on Facebook: Be POTSitive Creations or on Instagram: @bepotsitive_creations

** If you have a burning question you want me to answer in a future episode, feel free to dm me on my Instagram @be_potsitive!

Thanks for listening!

Listen in for today’s answer from anonymous Instagram follower: “What food are you most excited about eating on Thanksgiving?”

When the negative stuff in life is in your face, it can be hard to find the positive. I hope you’ll take some time to look for things to be thankful for. - Sarah Reid

This time of year can be stressful for anyone, but if you throw in the uncertaintity of a dynamic disability it can be completely overwhelming and scary! So I’m doing my best to focus on the positive not the negative. Thinking on things I’m thankful for give the anxious thoughts less space in my head. 

Today’s episode is all about sharing some of the many things that bring me joy. I hope you’ll be encouraged to start your own list.

Here are a few of my thankful highlights:

Listen in for more! Let me know what resonates with you and what you’d add to the list.

** If you have a burning question you want me to answer in a future episode, feel free to dm me on my Instagram @be_potsitive!

Thanks for listening!

Listen in for today’s answer from anonymous Instagram follower: “Some of my friends think my son is faking his chronic illness because they don’t see how he struggles on a daily basis. Do you have any tips on how I should handle this?”  Because you mentioned POTS in your message, I’ll share some videos, articles, and podcasts that might be helpful for this specific condition. (For other parents, finding short videos and articles to share with family and friends can go a long way toward helping them understand.) This video on Vimeo was greatl for some of my extended family. Also here’s an article from Dysautonomia International that talks about various conditions of the automic nervous system, including POTS. Here’s an excellent article explaining the Spoon Theory in a  simplified way. I talked about living with a dynamic disability in an earlier podcast. And this podcast interview with my functional neurologist could be very helpful as well. Oh, and let’s not forget this wonderful article explaining brain fog. 

“Have grace and compassion for your kid even if they can’t explain exactly how they’re feeling. Sometimes it’s just too overwhelming to put into words.” - Sarah Reid

In today’s episode, I’m offering some insight to equip parents with an understanding of what many chronically ill kids and young adults struggle with on a daily basis. And, more importantly, how parents can support and help their children. Of course, I can’t speak for everyone but I’ll include my perspective and what I’ve learned from others in the chronic illness community. 

Helpful takeaways for this episode: 

And so much more!

I’d love to hear from you! Connect with me on Instagram @be_potsitive  And check out my chronic illness merch on Redbubble where you’ll find lots of cute items to make you smile and raise awareness for our community.  

** If you have a burning question you want me to answer in a future episode, feel free to dm me on my Instagram @be_potsitive!

Thanks for listening!

Listen in for the answer to today’s question from Instagram follower @shes.always.sick: “What makes your soul happy?”

There’s a lot of trial and error involved in learning to manage symptoms. And sometimes you can do “everything right” and still struggle. ~ Sarah Reid

It’s October 31st - What better day to talk about spooky symptoms and various ways that I’ve learned to manage them. 

For the record, I’m not a doctor and don’t pretend to offer medical advice. I’m just sharing what works for me. I’ll also share some input from several of my Instagram followers. 

Some symptoms we’ll be discussing are:

Pre-syncope

Blood pressure drops

Nausea

Difficulty swallowing

Body glitching (not really sure what to call this)

And more!

As mentioned in the podcast here are the links for my salt chews and portable instant ice packs. 

** If you have a burning question you want me to answer in a future episode, feel free to dm me on my Instagram @be_potsitive!

I’d love to hear from you! Connect with me on Instagram @be_potsitive  And check out my chronic illness merch on Redbubble where you’ll find lots of cute items to make you smile and raise awareness for our community.

Thanks for listening!

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a small commission for qualifiying purchases made from Amazon links I share. This doesn’t cost you any extra though. :) 

Listen in for today’s answer from anonymous Instagram follower** : “What tv show/ movies are you currently watching?”

“You can’t just think, ‘I wanna be better,’ and POOF! You’re better.” 

~ Sarah Reid

In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing my diagnosis journey - and it really was a journey! Lots of seeing specialists, traveling to different towns and different states before finally getting a diagnosis at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, 17 hours from my home.

I talk about some of these things a little bit in my intro episode but share a little bit more today. Don’t worry though, this is the “Reader’s Digest Condensed Version”! We’d need a lot more time than a short podcast episode to cover it all.

If you haven’t gotten your diagnosis yet - if you’re still in the trenches trying to figure out what the heck is wrong - I hope hearing my journey will encourage you to keep fighting for answers. Nobody wants a diagnosis but having one is vital for going forward.

If you’re trudging out a known chronic illness, I’m sure you’ll find parts of my journey that you can relate to. I hope you’ll find some comfort in knowing that you aren’t alone. And I hope you’ll find some encouragement too. 

Stay strong, my spoonie friends! 

** If you have a burning question you want me to answer in a future episode, feel free to dm me on my Instagram @be_potsitive!

Thanks for listening!

I’d love to hear from you! Connect with me on Instagram @be_potsitive  And check out my chronic illness merch on Redbubble where you’ll find lots of cute items to make you smile and raise awareness for our community.

Listen in for today’s answer from Instagram follower @k8lyn.eds.zebra: “What’s your diagnosis journey? (If you’re comfortable sharing.)” I also talk about this in my first podcast. You can listen to that episode here. 

I don’t think most people can comprehend the things someone with a chronic illness has done or given up to try to feel better. - Sarah Reid

In today’s episode I’ll be talking about several things that I think aren’t talked about enough. 

Things like:

** If you have a burning question you want me to answer in a future episode, feel free to dm me on my Instagram @be_potsitive!

Thanks for listening!

I’d love to hear from you! Connect with me on Instagram @be_potsitive  And check out my chronic illness merch on Redbubble where you’ll find lots of cute items to make you smile and raise awareness for our community.