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Check out my Spoonie Student blog series if you are a student with a chronic illness.

About Me

Hi, my name is Katherine and I set up The Reluctant Spoonie in 2017 as a resource for the newly diagnosed. I write about POTS, chronic fatigue and general chronic illness lifestyle tips. I love crafts, especially crochet. I am a writer for The Mighty and I am passionate about raising awareness of chronic illness and improving the lives of those who live with chronic illnesses. Read my full POTS story here.

Support Me

You can support me by ‘buying me a coffee‘ through my Ko-Fi.

By visiting my Etsy shop or buying a Mighty Well product.

Or by sharing any of my posts or following me on social media.

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Check out my latest blog post for my favourite POTS advocates and bloggers. ⁠Featuring @jessicaoutofthecloset @natashalipman @keyssmilesinthetrials ⁠Link in bio and below ⬇️ ⁠https://thereluctantspoonie.com/2019/10/21/3-pots-advocates-to-make-friends-with-today-dysautonomia-awareness-month-2019/ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ --------------------⁠ Help me raise awareness of POTS and other chronic illnesses by visiting my Etsy shop or donating to my Ko-Fi today.⁠ --------------------⁠ #spoonie #spoonielife #chronicillnesswarrior #sicklife #chronicsick #youngandchronic #invisibleillness #pots #potssyndrome #chronicillnessblog #zebrastrong #spooniesunite #spooniechat #dysautonomia ⁠ #sickbutinvisible #spoonieproblems #endowarrior #dysautonomiaawareness #migraine⁣⁠ #invisibleillness #autoimmunedisease #fibromyalgia #ehlersdanlossyndrome #butyoudontlooksick #chronicfatigue #gastroparesis #lyme #disability #diabilityadvocate⁠ #invisibleillness⁠

This is why dysautonomia awareness is so important. Quality of life is poor for those with POTS as they are often unable to work, study or leave the house. Make sure that you discuss your quality of life with your doctor at every appointment so that they can provide you with adequate support. ⁠ ⁠ ⁠Infograph by @dysautonomiaintl ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ --------------------⁠ Help me raise awareness of POTS and other chronic illnesses by visiting my Etsy shop or donating to my Ko-Fi today.⁠ --------------------⁠ #spoonie #spoonielife #spooniestrong #chronicillnesswarrior #sicklife #chronicsick #youngandchronic #invisibleillness #pots #potssyndrome #chronicillnessblog #zebrastrong #spooniesunite #spooniechat #dysautonomia ⁠ #sickbutinvisible #spoonieproblems #endowarrior #dysautonomiaawareness #migraine⁣⁠ #invisibleillness #autoimmunedisease #fibromyalgia #ehlersdanlossyndrome #butyoudontlooksick #chronicfatigue #gastroparesis #lyme #disability #dysautonomia⁠

This is why dysautonomia awareness is so important. Quality of life is poor for those with POTS as they are often unable to work, study or leave the house. Make sure that you discuss your quality of life with your doctor at every appointment so that they can provide you with adequate support. ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠Infograph by @dysautonomiaintl ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ --------------------⁠ Help me raise awareness of POTS and other chronic illnesses by visiting my Etsy shop or donating to my Ko-Fi today.⁠ --------------------⁠ #spoonie #spoonielife #spooniestrong #chronicillnesswarrior #sicklife #chronicsick #youngandchronic #invisibleillness #pots #potssyndrome #chronicillnessblog #zebrastrong #spooniesunite #spooniechat #dysautonomia ⁠ #sickbutinvisible #spoonieproblems #endowarrior #dysautonomiaawareness #migraine⁣⁠ #invisibleillness #autoimmunedisease #fibromyalgia #ehlersdanlossyndrome #butyoudontlooksick #chronicfatigue #gastroparesis #lyme #disability #dysautonomia⁠

FEATURED ADVOCATE #3⁠ Sarah (@cozy.sloth)⁠ Sarah posts about the realities of living with POTS and other chronic illnesses including the importance of going out and having fun! ⁠ ⁠ Stay tuned for more featured advocates throughout Dysautonomia Awareness Month. ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ --------------------⁠ Help me raise awareness of POTS and other chronic illnesses by visiting my Etsy shop or donating to my Ko-Fi today.⁠ --------------------⁠ #spoonie #spoonielife #chronicillnesswarrior #sicklife #chronicsick #youngandchronic #invisibleillness #pots #potssyndrome #chronicillnessblog #zebrastrong #spooniesunite #spooniechat #dysautonomia ⁠ #sickbutinvisible #spoonieproblems #endowarrior #dysautonomiaawareness #migraine⁣⁠ #invisibleillness #autoimmunedisease #fibromyalgia #ehlersdanlossyndrome #butyoudontlooksick #chronicfatigue #gastroparesis #lyme #disability #pcos⁠

Check out my latest crafty blog post for a free PDF pattern for these mini spoons. Get a free turquoise spoon with every order from my Etsy shop this month for Dysautonomia Awareness Month.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ --------------------⁠ Help me raise awareness of POTS and other chronic illnesses by visiting my Etsy shop or donating to my Ko-Fi today.⁠ --------------------⁠ #spoonie #spoonielife #crochet #chronicillnesswarrior #sicklife #chronicsick #youngandchronic #invisibleillness #pots #potssyndrome #chronicillnessblog #zebrastrong #spooniesunite #spooniechat #dysautonomia ⁠ #sickbutinvisible #spoonieproblems #endowarrior #dysautonomiaawareness #virka⁠ #invisibleillness #autoimmunedisease #fibromyalgia #ehlersdanlossyndrome #butyoudontlooksick #chronicfatigue #gastroparesis #lyme #disability #crochetgirlgang⁠

New blog post up today for Dysautonomia Awareness Month. ⁠Doctors often tell patients that they need more exercise, but this is unsuitable advice for many illnesses including ME and POTS. In the early stages of your illness, over-exerting yourself may make your illness worse. Also, certain medications, such as beta-blockers, can limit your activity levels. ⁠ ⁠ Check out my latest blog post for a discussion on the pros and cons of exercising when you have POTS. Link in bio⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ --------------------⁠ Help me raise awareness of POTS and other chronic illnesses by visiting my Etsy shop or donating to my Ko-Fi today.⁠ --------------------⁠ #spoonie #spoonielife #exercise #chronicillnesswarrior #sicklife #chronicsick #youngandchronic #invisibleillness #pots #potssyndrome #chronicillnessblog #zebrastrong #spooniesunite #spooniechat #dysautonomia ⁠ #sickbutinvisible #spoonieproblems #endowarrior #dysautonomiaawareness #migraine⁣⁠ #invisibleillness #autoimmunedisease #fibromyalgia #ehlersdanlossyndrome #butyoudontlooksick #chronicfatigue #gastroparesis #lyme #disability #wegotdys⁠

"Hi, my name is Katherine and I have PoTS. I first started experiencing symptoms (fatigue, tachycardia, dizzy spells and nausea etc.) in January 2015 and was admitted to hospital due to their severity. I was studying for a master’s degree at the time and was reluctant to take time off as I was told that I just had a viral infection and I would get better in three weeks. I did not get better. My condition deteriorated to the point where I could no longer get out of bed. I could not read, write or speak coherently either. I took time off from my course, which was only supposed to be for 6 months. Unfortunately, due to long NHS waiting times and being referred to the wrong specialist, I had to ask for extensions on my medical leave, until my university could no longer hold my place anymore."⁠ ⁠ Read the full post here ⁠ ⁠ https://www.potsuk.org/stories/68⁠ ⁠ ⁠ --------------------⁠ Help me raise awareness of POTS and other chronic illnesses by visiting my Etsy shop or donating to my Ko-Fi today.⁠ --------------------⁠ #spoonie #spoonielife #dysautonomia #chronicillnesswarrior #sicklife #chronicsick #youngandchronic #invisibleillness #pots #potssyndrome #chronicillnessblog #zebrastrong #spooniesunite #spooniechat #dysautonomia ⁠ #sickbutinvisible #spoonieproblems #endowarrior #dysautonomiaawareness #migraine⁣⁠ #invisibleillness #autoimmunedisease #fibromyalgia #ehlersdanlossyndrome #butyoudontlooksick #chronicfatigue #gastroparesis #lyme #disability #spooniestrong⁠

Have you made any new friends since developing a chronic illness? Maybe you've even lost some along the way. ⁠The only new friends I've made recently have been through my blog and Instagram. I'm so grateful for the social contact I get through this online community 😍 ⁠ What are your tips for making new friends when you have a chronic illness? ⁠ ⁠ --------------------⁠ Help me raise awareness of POTS and other chronic illnesses by visiting my Etsy shop or donating to my Ko-Fi today.⁠ --------------------⁠ #spoonie #spoonielife #dysawareness #chronicillnesswarrior #sicklife #chronicsick #youngandchronic #invisibleillness #pots #potssyndrome #chronicillnessblog #zebrastrong #spooniesunite #spooniechat #dysautonomia ⁠ #sickbutinvisible #spoonieproblems #endowarrior #dysautonomiaawareness #johngreen⁣⁠ #invisibleillness #autoimmunedisease #fibromyalgia #ehlersdanlossyndrome #butyoudontlooksick #chronicfatigue #gastroparesis #lyme #disability #wegotdys⁠

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Disclaimer

I do not have a medical degree and this blog is for your information only and outlines my own personal experiences living with a chronic illness. Your own experiences/ illness will be different to mine. Any radical lifestyle changes such as a new exercise programme or diet should be discussed with your doctor first.

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