010 What to Do When You’re Sick on Top of a Chronic Illness

(Managing flare-ups, infections, and setbacks without losing your mind)

In this episode of The Invisible Illness Club, we’re talking about the absolute worst combo—getting sick on top of your chronic illness. I’m sharing what it felt like when I got COVID this past February (spoiler: it was brutal), why being “extra sick” hits so much harder when you already live with limited energy, and what to actually do when you’re stuck in survival mode. We’re talking real rest, low-energy self-care, and the emotional toll no one talks about. Plus, I’m pointing you to my free Self-Care Toolkit—because sometimes brushing your teeth is the win.

Memorable Quotes:

  • “Rest isn’t giving up. Rest is resisting the pressure to perform when your body is screaming for help.”
  • “Rest is my sport. I’m excellent at it. But this? This was emergency-response rest. Don’t-move-unless-the-house-is-on-fire rest.”
  • “Being sick on top of chronic illness is hard in a way that most people just don’t get. But I do.”

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Transcription

Hey friends. Welcome back to The Invisible Illness Club. If this is your first time here—hi, I’m so glad you found this space. And if you’re a regular listener, you already know we keep it real around here.

Today we’re talking about something that feels like a cruel cosmic joke: getting sick on top of your chronic illness. Like… wasn’t the daily pain, fatigue, and mental gymnastics enough already? Apparently not.

So if you’re currently in bed, sniffling, coughing, and wondering how the heck you’re supposed to manage this on top of everything else—this one’s for you. Also, make sure to grab my Self-Care Toolkit—it’s got tiny, doable ways to support yourself when your body is giving zero spoons.

Let’s just say it—when you live with chronic illness, your baseline is already way below what most people would call “normal.” You’re not starting from 100%. You’re maybe at 40% on a good day. So when a cold, stomach bug, infection, or even COVID hits? It knocks you flat. Like, face-down-in-the-carpet flat.

You’re already in survival mode most days, and then this extra layer of sickness just throws everything off—your meds, your routines, your energy, your emotional stability. And nobody talks about how scary that feels. Like, “Will I recover from this? Will I bounce back? Or is this my new normal?”

And the grief hits hard, too. You might’ve been managing okay for a little while, and now it feels like all that progress is gone. (Spoiler: it’s not. But I know it feels like it.)

Alright. Let me tell y’all about when I got COVID this past February.

I already deal with chronic fatigue and pain, so my battery is basically always at 40% or below. When COVID hit, that thing dropped to 1% and stayed there for weeks. It was a level of exhaustion I didn’t know was possible. Like, brushing my teeth felt like I ran a marathon. I remember crying after trying to change clothes because I used every ounce of energy I had just doing that. And taking a shower? Well, I won’t tell you how embarrassing that was.

I kept thinking, “What if I don’t bounce back from this? What if this is just… me now?” That fear was real. I felt completely helpless. And all the people around me were like, “Just rest!” But I already rest. Rest is my sport. I’m excellent at it. This was a whole other level. I needed emergency-response rest. We’re talking don’t-move-unless-the-house-is-on-fire rest.

And honestly? It reminded me how much we truly need support tools and backup plans and compassion for ourselves when everything falls apart. Which is exactly why I created the Self-Care Toolkit—because I didn’t have it then, but YOU can have it now.

So here’s your permission slip. Ready?

You do not have to be productive while sick. You do not need to feel guilty for doing less—or nothing at all. Rest isn’t giving up. Rest is resisting the pressure to perform when your body is screaming for help.

If you’re worried about falling behind—listen. Your health is the foundation for everything else in your life. Taking time to rest now might actually help you recover faster and more fully. Don’t wait for your body to collapse. Say no now, rest now, cancel now.

Okay, let’s talk about what helps when you have zero spoons and need to survive:
Set up a bedside kit. Water, meds, tissues, heating pad, lip balm, a charger. Future You will thank you.
Use a grabber tool. I love mine. It’s the best for when you drop the remote and can’t even lean over.
Voice memos > journaling. When your hands hurt or your brain is foggy, record a quick voice note instead.
Dry shampoo and body wipes. Instant refresh when showers are not an option.
Alarms for meds and meals. Especially if you’re sleeping weird hours.
Lower the dang bar. Frozen meals? Perfect. Paper plates? Genius. Same sweatpants for three days? A vibe.

And again—lots more of this stuff is in my free Self-Care Toolkit, so don’t miss that, plus I included a 30 day self care Bingo card.

Let’s not pretend it’s just physical. Being sick on top of chronic illness messes with your head.

You might feel guilt. Shame. Self-doubt. Like, “Am I doing something wrong?” “Am I just weak?”

No. You’re not weak. You’re just human. And your body is working overtime. There’s nothing shameful about needing rest.

If you’re a person of faith, let me remind you—rest isn’t a sin. Even Jesus napped in the boat during a literal storm. You’re not disappointing God by taking care of your body. You are worthy of care.

Everything I’ve talked about today? I packed a lot of it into my free Self-Care Toolkit. I made it because having a chronic illness and being sick at the same time is brutal. So if you want simple, low-energy tools to help you feel a little more human when your body is falling apart, go download it. You can find it in the show notes.

Being sick on top of chronic illness is hard in a way that most people just don’t get. But I do. And if you’re in the middle of it right now, I want you to hear this: You’re doing enough. You are enough. And you are not alone.

Be gentle with yourself. Say no more. Sleep more. Ask for help. Order the takeout. Wear the same hoodie every day this week. It’s survival mode, and that’s okay.

You’ve got this. I’m cheering you on—even if you’re listening from a nest of blankets and cough drops.

See you next time, friends.

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