22 Comments / Articles on Art

Living with Fibromyalgia

Table Of Contents
  1. Living with Fibromyalgia
  2. My Studio Buddies
  3. I am so very lucky and thankful!

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that can cause widespread pain and tenderness over much of the body.

This weeks post is a little different than my usual how-to posts. I thought it would be nice for you to know a little about the person behind the articles.

I normally do not share this part of my story but I am at a point in my life where I am trying to embrace every part of me. Including my continuing journey with fibromyalgia a chronic illness and how I cope with it.

I am feeling very vulnerable writing this. Please understand by no means am I looking for sympathy, I have an awesome life and I love it. I believe your state of mind can greatly affect these conditions and mine 95% of the time is positive. 🙂

A few years back I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, IBS, and chronic fatigue (they usually go hand in hand). I take 2 different medications to help with the fibromyalgia.

I am in denial about my condition. What do you mean I am not a superhero? I have a mug that says I am wonder woman lol. Until I have a flare up like I did this week.

I spent all day in bed this past Sunday to Wednesday with joint pain from my fibromyalgia and migraines, I was completely exhausted. I did get out of bed Wednesday night but woke up again on Thursday with a headache and fatigue from the earlier part of the week. I did manage to go to my one night a week 4-hour shift at a local craft store. I woke up today with a bad migraine again. This would be the reason that you are hearing my story instead of a how-to article.

I love life! But sometimes my condition can take a toll and I find I am actually starting to feel depressed and then I feel guilty because:

  • so many people have it worse than me
  • my husband has to do more than his share
  • I cannot get a lot done around the house
  • I don’t paint as much as I want too
  • I usually have to sleep through the day from 1-4pm to function the rest of the day
  • I did not get my weekly how-to article done this week 🙁
  • when I do paint other areas suffer and on and on

My Studio Buddies

fibromyalgia my studio pets

Here are my two studio buddies Jack the cocker spaniel (he just had a haircut and was cold) and Charlie my tuxedo rescue cat that is the sweetest little animal I have ever had. Pets are such a gift, their unconditional love and entertainment bring so much joy to my life.

I am so very lucky and thankful!

I believe that art is healing and without it, I am not sure where I would be

I am not one to throw a pity party and I try to stay positive, it is what it is. I really believe that you get out of life what you put into it. I try to be thankful every day for what I do have and I try to live a stress-free life.

If you asked how I was, my reply would be “I am awesome” I am so very lucky and thankful because:

  • I get the privilege of doing what I love
  • I have an intelligent and beautiful daughter
  • I have a supportive family
  • I have an awesome and supportive best friend
  • I have made some wonderful friends due to art
  • I am able to share my joy for art and my knowledge with you 🙂
fibromyalgia my story Krista Hasson painting as a child

Here I am as a child painting before bed with my cat Pepper. You just have to love those curlers lol

I am an artist, I have been creating since I can remember. My mother was creative and always encouraged her children to be as well. I love creating and sharing so much I can’t imagine my life without it. Even before I was diagnosed it had made a huge difference in my quality of life. Even with all of my challenges if changing them meant that I could not be an artist, I wouldn’t change a thing.

The biggest thing to take away from my story is that I am blessed and thankful for being an artist and having the opportunity to share that with you.

I have learned that any goal in life is attainable you just have to keep going no matter what obstacles you face. It doesn’t matter how long it takes you just as long as you are heading in the right direction.

Everybody has a story and that is mine. What is your story? I would love to hear it.

Cheers, Krista

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22 thoughts on “Living with Fibromyalgia”

  1. Melanie Craig-Hansford

    Thank you for sharing this with us. I retired early from teaching high school, a job I loved, because of chronic daily migraines. Retirement, the Keto diet and Energy Medicine has helped so much. I have other chronic pain issues but the migraines are much better.
    I would make art12 hours a day but I can’t either. If it wasn’t for my art making practise I don’t think I could go on. Thank you for your honesty and these great painting tips.

    1. Krista Hasson

      Melanie, Thank you so much for your kind words. I feel exactly the same way about my art, it keeps me going 🙂 Thank you for sharing as well

  2. Lisa L.

    I too, have struggled with an autoimmune disease for almost 30 years. There are 2 things that have helped me more than anything: diet change and Turmeric. I changed to a whole food diet with no gluten, then added a good turmeric supplement. Both of these help tremendously with inflammation, which is the root cause of autoimmune diseases. I was able to get off my medication completely. Gluten is huge with gut issues. If your gut is not healthy, you will not be healthy. I don’t know if you have tried going gluten free, but I urge you to try it and see if it helps. Rest, and no stress (ha ha, who has no stress in their life?), also are key! Hope you are feeling better these days!

    1. Krista Hasson

      Hi Lisa,
      I find diet helps as well. I only eat whole foods. I don’t eat processed foods at all no wheat, gluten, rice, sugar, or GMO. I even make my own bbq sauce and condiments even. Your comment is perfect timing as I actually have been looking into turmeric. I am currently on 2 different medications at the present but I am hoping to eventually not need them. Thank you for taking the time to post this. 🙂

  3. Patti Daley

    Hi Krista – thank you for including us in your story. We have a daughter with two autoimmune disorders. I have witnessed the “crash” and the constant reminders that the body, mind and spirit are often struggling. I appreciate you. Thanks again for everything and especially for your generosity and your desire for all of us to enjoy art.

    1. Krista Hasson

      Patti, so sorry to hear about your daughter. As a parent, it must be hard knowing there is nothing you can do. Thank you so much for your support and appreciation it really means so much to me. Hugs to you and your daughter.

  4. Cheryl Wilson, Artist

    Hello Krista. I have suffered from FM for 20 years At times I have to walk with a cane. Times where my flare ups cause my muscles to be so weak I am afraid to do stairs as I have had them give out. I am a woman that has build 3 companies, two professional (6 figure) and now my art. I say this as people with FM are smart, entrepreneurial, go getters, goal achievers …. then we have a flare up and all those traits do not go away, but we cannot do them. I have to hide under my covers until I can deal. So, I feel your pain, applauded your courage to share your story and encourage you from another person with this disability. Note: Mine is so bad I am considered disabled. I do not stop, I keep going. Art helps mentally and when I had to reduce my professional world, art accepted me. Thank you for sharing……

  5. Kurtis Ladner

    Hi Krista,
    My very best wishes to you, and thankyou for all you do to help us.
    Do what you can when you can– we understand and appreciate you.
    You are doing the right thing by going outside of yourself and not getting lost within.
    You have a very kind heart and will always be loved and appreciated.
    Cheers, Kurtis

    1. Krista Hasson

      Thank you for your support Kurtis. I am so happy to be able to share my painting knowledge with you and all of my wonderful followers. It feels so good to know that I am appreciated. Thank you 🙂

  6. Carol Vautour

    Hi Krista,

    Thank you so much for sharing that part of your life with me ( us). I have problems also, and like you, I’m so very grateful for my art, and the friends I share it with. Those wonderful ladies I paint with are loving and understanding, and don’t make any demands of me that I can’t fulfill. Sometimes we forget that others suffer too, because when you suffer you rarely go in the public eye. All the suffering is done in your own home, away from everyone, and I think this, along with not feeling well, is what brings on depression. Any debilitating illness has a down side. I also try to keep upbeat all the time, and think positive. Thanks for listening!

  7. Roberta Whitmore

    Thanks for sharing your story Krista.
    Rest when you need too. I so enjoy your beautiful art work.
    It must be frustrating when the pain flares and you can’t do what you love.
    All the best for better days ahead.
    Roberta

  8. Susan

    Oh thanks for sharing with open words and open heart. Intimacy is life. It makes us all better because you share your life as well as your painting knowledge and beauty!

  9. Annette

    Thank you for your courage and your willingness to be vulnerable and encourage others by the way you live your life. Many blessings to you.

  10. Beth GLASSER

    Hi Krista.

    We all have challenges, and it sounds like you are dealing with yours the best you can. I was diagnosed with MS 30 years ago, and I thought my life was over! But I have been very fortunate, and my MS is very mild. But, like you, there are days….

    You do what you can, the best that you can. You know your body and its limits. The people that love you don’t blame you, or feel let down. It just IS.

    If you can’t accomplish what you want, don’t beat yourself up. And perhaps consider rethinking some artificial deadlines. Yes, it’s nice to post every week, but no one cares if that schedule isn’t that exact, and you just post a few times a month. Other artists whose work I follow do just that — no set schedule and no obligation. After all, you are an artist, and inspiration doesn’t always meet a schedule!

    I also refer you to a blog by an amazing knitting designer, Kate Davies. I love her work, and only found out recently that she had a stroke at a very early age, and still deals with its effects. Read more about it here: https://katedaviesdesigns.com/2018/06/11/handywoman-preorder/. I think you will find it inspirational, and hopefully give you some ideas to help you through the harder days.

    Be well.

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