We're back! After a much-needed break, Katya and Hannah return for a second season of Bounded Energy, with plenty to catch up on.

And quite a lot has changed.

Hannah has received a new diagnosis of fibromyalgia, which her rheumatologist believes was triggered by COVID. She talks about living with chronic pain, fatigue and unrefreshing sleep, and why receiving a diagnosis of a potentially long-term condition has brought her an unexpected sense of relief.

Meanwhile, Katya has been experiencing some encouraging improvements in her long COVID symptoms. After starting prescribed antihistamines, she's noticed an increase in her energy and has been managing more time at work, regular walks and the occasional social engagement.

But recovery is complicated. While Katya is still hoping to return to her pre-COVID health, Hannah is learning to build a fulfilling life around symptoms that may be with her for the foreseeable future.

Together, they discuss the pressure to recover, the difficulty of measuring progress, managing chronic illness with medication and pacing, and the strange experience of becoming so accustomed to your limitations that you sometimes forget how much your life has changed.

They also share why they've decided to continue the podcast, how they're approaching season two differently to avoid burnout, and some lovely listener emails about working with long COVID, feeling guilty about needing accommodations and the particular challenges of being chronically ill in your twenties.

Plus, Katya has a minor existential crisis about whether Hannah is still allowed to be her long COVID buddy now that she's got fibromyalgia.

An honest, funny and hopeful catch-up about long COVID, fibromyalgia, recovery, acceptance and finding your own way of living with chronic illness.

A note for listeners: This episode includes personal experiences of fibromyalgia, chronic pain, mental health and prescribed medications, including amitriptyline and antihistamines. These experiences are not medical recommendations, and treatments may affect different people differently.

Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you at boundedenergy@gmail.com.

Want to get in touch? (We'd love to hear from you!)

Email us at boundedenergy@gmail.com

Theme Song: Harry Gould
Artwork: Ellie Atkinson