30 Things About Jasmine's Invisible Illness(es) You May Not Know

1. The illnesses I live with are: Migraine, Fibromyalgia/CFS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Vertigo and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

2. I was diagnosed with: Migraine around 1991, FM in 2001, MCS around 2003, OSA in 2009

3. But I had symptoms since: Migraines since childhood - worse at puberty, and transformed into Chronic Migraine around 1991

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: loss of a social life, and eliminating so many foods from my diet

5. Most people assume: I'm fine because they can't see my illnesses

6. The hardest part about mornings are: waking up with an icepick migraine or major stiffness in my neck, shoulders, arms and hands

7. My favorite medical TV show is: "Nurse Jackie" at the moment. It was "ER" and "St Elsewhere" in the early 80s.

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: I can live without them, but I would miss my computer. The Internet gives me an opportunity to connect with others who know exactly what I'm going through. And it's given me the ability to write about my experiences.

9. The hardest part about nights are: how good/active I feel because it's dark, cool, and the air quality is best. Unfortunately, it's when the rest of the world, including my husband, is asleep.

10. Each day I take about 10 different supplements, and a Migraine abortive when needed.

11. Regarding alternative treatments: I'm glad they work for others, but all they've done for me is drain my wallet.

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: to not have to choose

13. Regarding working and career: I'm a homemaker who gets paid in kisses, and I really enjoy my bonuses

14. People would be surprised to know: how well I can sing, but I wouldn't dare let them find out

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality is: not being able to be as active as used to be - exertion is a huge trigger

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: learn an online video game and actually be good at it

17. The commercials about my illness: focus too much on pushing drugs versus prevention

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: being physically active

19. It was really hard to have to give up: my old life, so many of my favorite foods, a social life, and my paycheck/independence

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: playing the where's-the-hidden-MSG game, writing, researching, guitar

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: enjoy a tennis match under the warm sun

22. My illness has taught me: how to slow down, and how strong I am

23. One thing people say that gets under my skin is: "What do you do all day?" and "I barely put any perfume on," as if it's the smell that's causing an acute Migraine attack instead of the chemicals in the perfume. The word "cure" is thrown around too much.

24. But I love it when people: come to me for advice, and don't take my lack of a social life personally

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds." -Bob Marley's Redemption Song