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This Instagram Account Spreads Awareness About What People With Chronic Illnesses Go Through Every Day And Here Are 40 Of The Best Photos
Interview
One of the most important things in life is a person’s health. Recent times have shown how crucial it is to take care of ourselves to prevent our health from deteriorating. But even if people lead a healthy lifestyle and are aware of their habits, there are some diseases that change a person’s life forever and these are chronic diseases.
According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), chronic diseases are “conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both.” Such health problems become a real everyday struggle that can be difficult for others to understand. Having this in mind, a couple who call themselves Chronic Illness Advocates started sharing inspiring messages to educate and encourage people to start a more open discussion about chronic illnesses.
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The Instagram page @how.u.feeling, which has 115k followers, shares pictures of Justin Cypres and Sarah Gausepohl, who pose with a board in their hands stating some powerful words meant for those who struggle with their illnesses and sometimes find it hard to keep moving forward. Some of the things they express are also directed at people who are healthy and don’t necessarily understand what it means to deal with chronic pain. Their thoughts teach these people to be more compassionate and understanding.
This is so very true. And the longer you have to hide that grimace the harder it gets.
Eds and pots exercise or it gets worse for you exercise and dislocate boneand have heart issue. I feel this one
Bored Panda contacted Chronic Illness Advocates to find out more about their project. The things that they present on social media come from their everyday struggles as both of them suffer from many chronic illnesses. Justin shared that this is what gave him a spur to create something on his own: “I felt that there was a lack of awareness and positive/educational posts in the social media arena. I thought that I couldn’t be the only one feeling how I felt so I decided to start posting messages about how I felt on any given day.”
This idea and their work soon went viral, proving that people who have to deal with health problems are not alone. Justin told Bored Panda: “ At first I was surprised at how some posts went 'viral' but then, the more I saw it happen, the more I realized how many people suffer.” Justin himself has to deal with a whole bunch of illnesses such as fibromyalgia, ulcerative colitis, migraines, depression, etc.
This is so very true. I remember not really getting what my dad was meaning when he said he felt like he was walking on cords (I thought maybe he felt like his sock was bunched up, he had renal failure and diabetic neuropathy). I finally understand :(
Thank you. I think that's a big thing that my friends don't get. The few friends that I still have.
Coping with these struggles takes a lot of energy and makes people feel like they are all alone in this battle. When such dark days come, Justin says that the right thing to do is to understand that “you are not alone, what you feel is valid, and there are many different social media accounts that can help you find a community that is super supportive of your struggles.” And their project also seems to be having a huge impact on how people see and hear each other, becoming more understanding and sympathetic.
It is surprising how much pain and discomfort you can get 'used to' and how easy it is to hide. I don't want it to be the first thing people know about me. I don't mind sharing but only if I think the person is going to actually listen, and not lecture me on what worked for their old mum who had a completely different problem. I'm not old, I'm ill and I'm also living with injuries from an accident. It isn't the same.
So true! Didn't expect to be on disability and deciding day to day what I can do at my age. Trying not to do too much on days I feel better. Some days all I can do is rest all day.
Oooh, that's right up there with "everything happens for a reason". Yes , it could be worse, it could also be better. And what good does it do anybody saying that either? This is the bronze medal of the Misery Olympics.
And the f*****g religious nuts telling that god has a plan for you... Or the people telling you that "others have it worse". Its a bad excuse to not try to be empathic
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"It could be worse." Well, yes. It could. But that doesn't mean it isn't BAD.
" Yeah but you survived " it doesn't feel like I survived. It feels more like I'm constantly struggling for survival. Even though the big part of it is gone, a big part of me is gone too.
That's a thoughtless statement that completely invalidates what the other person is experiencing - no matter how "well meaning" it is.
Or... there's always someone worse off than you. Sorry, but I can't live THEIR life, only my own.
If you find yourself starting a sentence with "at least", stop talking right there
Actually, I'm ALWAYS telling myself that it could be worse. My medical chart lists 40+ problems I deal with -- including treatment issues from cancer I had in 2011. Some days, I just cry all day because this is not who I want to be!! And it still is ...
My personal "it could be worse" is, I could have a migraine. The "Just kill me now" type. Having lost my job and then my ability to walk more that a few paces, this actually works well for me, as stress from work at certain times of month caused the migraines. No work, no womb, no migraine.
HOW? How could it be worse? You don't know what I FEEL or am going through!
Why the f**k would you say that to anyone unless you're a complete idjit!?
I say this to myself all the time. It's hard to give myself a break sometimes.
My best friend has spina bifida and she expressed this to me. She then added that since I'm not a licensed medical professional and am unable to provide relief, she would accept a brew, and for me to watch her kids for a couple of hours while she slept. We can't give relief, sometimes the only thing we can offer is support if you want it (and not push it if you don't ask).
I may not be able to understand. But I can understand that it is real and legitimate.
The worst was when I had to miss my best friends funeral because I was too sick to get out of bed it was simply heartbreaking and everyone said it was OK put me it wasn't I miss her so much
My seizures and anxiety/panic attacks make my sleep schedule rotate. No matter what any doctor has tried, it's impossible for me to stay on a regular schedule. If I try, my fatigue triggers more seizures and anxiety/panic attacks. It's one big loop.
Even doctors have a hard time with this. I ended up talking to a psychiatrist before I was taken seriously.
Note: this post originally had 48 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.
People with chronic illness don't pretend to be sick, they pretend to be healthy.
Dear doctors: Yes, I have chronic pain, but that doesn't mean every pain I have is related to this. Don't have me put at risk or in danger because you assume it's just my fibromyalgia. Ok thanks bye.
Exactly. Also stop thinking that everything is caused by our depression/anxiety. I am depressed because I dont have a life anymore and I am ill not the other way around
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Also - just because I am young and look healthy does not mean the pain is all in my head, it is actually caused by depression or abuse, or that it will go away soon.
This has made me cry because every single one of these statements is so relatable for me. I never expected to get ill and never get better. I never thought I'd end up not able to work, or a wheelchair user or in pain constantly. I've been ill nearly 12 years now, and it's robed me of the chance to be a mum which is so hard when all my friends are having children. I feel isolated and forgotten about. I'm not brave or an inspiration; I wasn't given any choice. I just have to live my life the best I can. I'm lucky to have an amazing relationship now; even though I sometimes wonder why he's with me and worry what other people think when they see him pushing my wheelchair. I try to live a life that's as full as I can but I still feel a failure
You are such a strong person living this long with a chronic illness. I really admire you. I also got all teary reading this
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I feel this ... I have narcolepsy and people tend to be all joking of "must be nice to nap all the time " . Then goes the explanation of "imagine wanting to do something ... but wait you must rest or sleep -- delay that " to them -.- and I am not lazy , I legit am exhausted 99% of my awake hours .
I have multiple chronic pain disorders, and I would keep all of them to not have narcolepsy. While I do have sleep disorders, they're not nearly as life-intruding as narcolepsy.
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To whom it may concern: People that are chronically ill and/or in chronic pain are not drug seekers! We just want a better quality of life. I have multiple illnesses and a couple of them causes chronic pain. I have never asked for anything for my pain because I fear they will label me as a drug seeker and bar me from any kind of pain relieving medication as my conditions worsen. One time I slipped a disc in my neck and went to the ER because I was in terrible pain. Without knowing anything about me the ER doc was treating me like garbage, until he realized that I had not received any kind of pain medication in several years. Then he told me because I hadn't gotten any pain meds in a long time he would give me a few.... completely changed my outlook on pain relief. So most days I just suffer. This needs to change.
If it's legal where you live, I experience considerable relief from cannabis edibles. It doesn't eradicate the pain; it changes the sensation. I still know where my pain is (so I'm not likely to injure myself), but it no longer feels like "pain." As a bonus, it elevates my depression and calms my anxiety. I have been using cannabis edibles for several years now, and my dosage has not increased. I take one dose a couple hours before bed. Mostly, I don't during the day, unless I'm in a flare. Food for thought, anyway.
Load More Replies... I was having a bad day. Something like this just gives me that little lift. I’m usually a very upbeat person but sometimes it’s difficult
A couple repeats but I really loved this one. Thank you for sharing!
These are so true! I don't have a chronic illness, but I'm currently 8 months pregnant and have had a lot of complications, including a lot of pain. For me the end is in sight: I can't imagine being diagnosed with something that never ends.
Thank you, there needs to be more people like you. Bestest wishes with your pregnancy
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There is a heavy toll.... especially if you are a single person without any support. Try to get something fixed that requires anaethesic. You cannot drive yourself home afterwards. Someone must come and sit with you through the entire process that even though it may take 30 minutes to actually do requires all day to complete with all the bureaucracy involved. You cannot use Uber, Lyft, a taxi or public transportation. So you are stuck in this limbo where you just have to live with whatever is wrong.
I don't know who these folks are, but I am very grateful for their project. This whole thing is so well articulated. And I have had most of these thoughts many times myself. Our fast paced society is built so that the more a person works and produces, the more they are valued. People are just basically seen as economic commodities. So if you can't work, it's difficult to feel like you have any value as a person. This sense of worthlessness gets compounded when others invalidate the reality of one's experience (of being in pain, exhausted, etc.) or trivialize it in various ways. So, this whole post is hugely supportive. . . . I wish I could make a bunch of posters or tshirts from so many of your signs!
When out and about, I commit small random acts of kindness to help others fell less alone and unseen. A hankie/wet wipe when needed. Compliments and occasional chats. I also wear weird hats that cheer people up. Make the time I am able to function help make the world a little nicer
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Everything in this post is so relatable. I'm only 16 and I was diagnosed with POTS almost two years ago. It changed my entire life, and even my own parents still invalidate my pain sometimes, which hurts even more than the actual pain.
Therapy. Get into therapy. It can be so incredibly helpful!!!! My parents have seen me go through multiple episodes over the last two years and they still don't get it so I got a therapist that deals with people with chronic disorders because I needed validation that I wasn't making it up and it's incredibly helpful.
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Those who criticise patients because they witnessed them having a good day.... wish they realised.... how actually disgusting the sub-ethics of it really are. Like... what do you want? To see a person dying and crawling there beneath your feet? Is it what it takes to understand? Allow these people some dignity, please. They're already through a lot.
At some point, opioid addiction can become the preferred option.
Didn't even know I needed this until I saw it. The constant state of hold your head high and get on with it is so exhausting. Nice to know it's ok not to be ok sometimes
I remember being in constant, debilitating pain, not knowing why, doctors sending me for counselling as they thought I was imagining it or something. Then finally getting diagnosed... but there was no known cure. Several possible treatments, each with 10-30% chance of success. Tried one, wait 3 months, no improvement... try next, wait 3 months, no improvement.... this continued for 2 years. Part of me didn't want to try the last treatment, as once it was gone, I'd have no hope. But I did try it. It didn't work. That was the worst time of all. Lived with the pain after that. There was no real expectation id ever get better, and i was only 23. Inexplicably, over the following 8 years, I did get gradually better and back to full health. No idea how or why. Still scary to think I could relapse and suffer it all again, but I have my life again now. But I lost a decade of my life to constant pain, and those years were harrowing. Like being tortured, every day. I hope others get better too. X
my mom once told me that i'm faking chronic illnesses and i just need to 'be happier and have a positive mindset' like mom i love you but you don't know what it's like to be chronically ill
like seriously, i would show this to my mom and she'll just say 'just think positive'.
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I just want to thank you for this. If 1 person reads these and takes it in and understands then that's a job well done. My husband has MS, Bi-Polar, Restless leg syndrome, fibromyalgia and is partially sighted. We experience some sort of negativity every day, so thank you for making people aware
I've had 5 of the worst weeks of my life. Pain 24/7 and no sign of it easing up. I'm just so tired of it.
I'm in pain most days. I worry I'll be in more pain tomorrow. I worry that my flat looks like it should star in an episode of hoarders because I can't clear up after myself. I'm constantly worried that I'll slow friends down when I do go out. I take so much medication that people think I'm addicted (although I've been on pain meds for so long I probably am but I only take the prescribed doses). I am permanently exhausted. I can sleep 16 hours in a 24 hour period and still be exhausted. I still have to work full time as I can't afford to not work. I also have to care for my mother who has Alzheimer's and my sister (who also has a chronic illness) doesn't help. I resent people my age who are healthy.
Being told by older, non chronically ill ppl: oh you're young, wait til you get to my age. Excuse me my body is, in several places, the equivalent of an 80yr old(genetic stuff) Some places don't work properly at all (spinabifida). It's not my age dammit, just because I'm in my 30s doesn't mean I "don't know what real tired is". If they spent 30 seconds in my body I'm sure they'd have a new opinion!
This was hard for me to read as someone with a chronic illness. You're told all the time that you're fine or you're gonna be fine but you know that's not how your body feels. And yes you have good days and the days that aren't good you're just pretending you're OK and you're not pretending you're OK for you you're pretending you're OK for everyone around you.
I would like to take this opportunity to say fibromyalgia is a complete c**t. I've had enough of it now and I'm not even 40 yet
I needed this. I'm having a hard time accepting my limitations. It is taking a toll on my mental health. Thank you whoever these two are..
All of these are 100% pertinent. Also, gentle hugs to my fellow Chronic Pandas. We work like mad every second of every day just to be functional, yet no one sees our work but us.
I wouldn't wish this on anyone but its nice to know some others know what its really like. So many who don't understand are so hurtful.
I've made it to the ripe age of 70, living with chronic illness for all but my first two years of life. I'm very tired. I hurt 24/7, sometimes more than others. Both of my children are dead, many years so. I say that because I miss them deeply and terribly. I would never have expected them to take care of me, but I'd sure love to be able to talk to them. Sometimes that's the biggest help of all, just being able to talk to someone, have them just listen without trying to "help" me feel better. Nothing physically helps, so I pray, a lot....a LOT! Talking to God really does help, though I wouldn't expect that it would be so for everyone. That's my personal way of coping. Thank you for letting me say what I needed to say.
As one who has been experiencing various issues for the last 8 years, including having suffered the injuries of a huge and devastating fall, and now, at 70 years old, have age to contend with, I truly understand everything "said" on the sign boards. I get it, I really do.
I've had chronic migraine for over 20 years. I don't remember what it's like to feel normal.
Ugh this almost made me cry. I have terrible IBS and I feel so guilty about it bc whenever it flares up, I blame myself for eating the wrong thing or not hydrating enough or whatnot. I feel so weak leaving work early for a "stomachache" but sometimes the discomfort is truly debilitating. But I always feel people suspect me of making excuses or exaggerating. I would give up food for the rest of my life if i could replace it with some method that meant I could be pain free.
There is an online community for the chronically ill..."The Mighty". Share stories and info with others in our leaky boat
I have never appreciated a BoredPanda post so much. It's easy to feel so alone in this.
as someone who doesn’t even have a chorionic illness but is depressed i loved these
My general practitioner doesn't understand why I don't want a mammogram or colonoscopy. Basically if they found anything I wouldn't go through treatment that is going to be equivalent to being the walking dead, because I feel like that every day and sure as heck would be able to take chemo, radiation or surgeries on top of my everyday hell.
I hate when you begin your day barely being able to get out of bed but it is a day you have a doctor's appointment. So you try to get up, to get ready, then a migraine hits. Can barely dial phone to tell doctor's office you can't make the appointment today and then you get put in the "bad" patient file who doesn't cancel their appointment at least 48 hours before appointment. In 48 hours I could have an ok day, a day I am crippled in bed or even be hospitalized for major flare. I wish they understood that getting up, getting ready and getting there is a battle that will probably take two days to recover from.
I think that I'm fighting right now and just had a setback literally today. And this is exactly how I feel. It's good to know other people out there get it. It's good to know that the frustration of things people say is real, even if they just don't know any better, it doesn't help. I'm learning to say what I need first before I talk about anything related to what I'm going through. You are doing good things, add this to your accomplishments and know that you're helping others, me included.🧡
Thank you so much for this. Gives words to so many difficult experiences so hard to explain. All the best to you, for every day.
Me to people who magically appear on FB selling their magic elixir: Thank you for the unsolicited advice, I'm not here for you to profit on me. Also to people who mean well: Thank you but going to the gym isn't a cure for my illness. Some days I barely have the energy to shower. Yes I tried eliminating dairy, eating gluten-free (I have celiac disease too,) and I won't go vegan. None of these things helped. After 25 years, I have tried everything! Just support my need to manage my energy with chores and outings. Accept me as I am.
The you're too young comment... I just turned 50. I have had 4 joint replacements and I'm going for another soon. Chronologically I'm 50. Physically I'm so much older than that. It's been 20 years... nearly half my life of all that this post expressed and so much more. If you are ill, I wish you the best day you can have. If you know someone ill, please take a moment to look at their lives from their perspective. You're compassion and patience will mean more to them then you can imagine.
I have lived with Chronic Illnesses for most of my life and now at 56 have not been able to work for the past two years. Every single one of these is me. Finally something to show people what I mean. My dream is to wake up just one day not in pain, not dizzy, not nauseous, not having my nerve endings on fire. Here as I prepare for neurosurgery number five and number six in December.
Read the room dude. And learn some fücking empathy. And reading comprehension is important.
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People with chronic illness don't pretend to be sick, they pretend to be healthy.
Dear doctors: Yes, I have chronic pain, but that doesn't mean every pain I have is related to this. Don't have me put at risk or in danger because you assume it's just my fibromyalgia. Ok thanks bye.
Exactly. Also stop thinking that everything is caused by our depression/anxiety. I am depressed because I dont have a life anymore and I am ill not the other way around
Load More Replies... Also - just because I am young and look healthy does not mean the pain is all in my head, it is actually caused by depression or abuse, or that it will go away soon.
This has made me cry because every single one of these statements is so relatable for me. I never expected to get ill and never get better. I never thought I'd end up not able to work, or a wheelchair user or in pain constantly. I've been ill nearly 12 years now, and it's robed me of the chance to be a mum which is so hard when all my friends are having children. I feel isolated and forgotten about. I'm not brave or an inspiration; I wasn't given any choice. I just have to live my life the best I can. I'm lucky to have an amazing relationship now; even though I sometimes wonder why he's with me and worry what other people think when they see him pushing my wheelchair. I try to live a life that's as full as I can but I still feel a failure
You are such a strong person living this long with a chronic illness. I really admire you. I also got all teary reading this
Load More Replies... I feel this ... I have narcolepsy and people tend to be all joking of "must be nice to nap all the time " . Then goes the explanation of "imagine wanting to do something ... but wait you must rest or sleep -- delay that " to them -.- and I am not lazy , I legit am exhausted 99% of my awake hours .
I have multiple chronic pain disorders, and I would keep all of them to not have narcolepsy. While I do have sleep disorders, they're not nearly as life-intruding as narcolepsy.
Load More Replies... To whom it may concern: People that are chronically ill and/or in chronic pain are not drug seekers! We just want a better quality of life. I have multiple illnesses and a couple of them causes chronic pain. I have never asked for anything for my pain because I fear they will label me as a drug seeker and bar me from any kind of pain relieving medication as my conditions worsen. One time I slipped a disc in my neck and went to the ER because I was in terrible pain. Without knowing anything about me the ER doc was treating me like garbage, until he realized that I had not received any kind of pain medication in several years. Then he told me because I hadn't gotten any pain meds in a long time he would give me a few.... completely changed my outlook on pain relief. So most days I just suffer. This needs to change.
If it's legal where you live, I experience considerable relief from cannabis edibles. It doesn't eradicate the pain; it changes the sensation. I still know where my pain is (so I'm not likely to injure myself), but it no longer feels like "pain." As a bonus, it elevates my depression and calms my anxiety. I have been using cannabis edibles for several years now, and my dosage has not increased. I take one dose a couple hours before bed. Mostly, I don't during the day, unless I'm in a flare. Food for thought, anyway.
Load More Replies... I was having a bad day. Something like this just gives me that little lift. I’m usually a very upbeat person but sometimes it’s difficult
A couple repeats but I really loved this one. Thank you for sharing!
These are so true! I don't have a chronic illness, but I'm currently 8 months pregnant and have had a lot of complications, including a lot of pain. For me the end is in sight: I can't imagine being diagnosed with something that never ends.
Thank you, there needs to be more people like you. Bestest wishes with your pregnancy
Load More Replies... There is a heavy toll.... especially if you are a single person without any support. Try to get something fixed that requires anaethesic. You cannot drive yourself home afterwards. Someone must come and sit with you through the entire process that even though it may take 30 minutes to actually do requires all day to complete with all the bureaucracy involved. You cannot use Uber, Lyft, a taxi or public transportation. So you are stuck in this limbo where you just have to live with whatever is wrong.
I don't know who these folks are, but I am very grateful for their project. This whole thing is so well articulated. And I have had most of these thoughts many times myself. Our fast paced society is built so that the more a person works and produces, the more they are valued. People are just basically seen as economic commodities. So if you can't work, it's difficult to feel like you have any value as a person. This sense of worthlessness gets compounded when others invalidate the reality of one's experience (of being in pain, exhausted, etc.) or trivialize it in various ways. So, this whole post is hugely supportive. . . . I wish I could make a bunch of posters or tshirts from so many of your signs!
When out and about, I commit small random acts of kindness to help others fell less alone and unseen. A hankie/wet wipe when needed. Compliments and occasional chats. I also wear weird hats that cheer people up. Make the time I am able to function help make the world a little nicer
Load More Replies... Everything in this post is so relatable. I'm only 16 and I was diagnosed with POTS almost two years ago. It changed my entire life, and even my own parents still invalidate my pain sometimes, which hurts even more than the actual pain.
Therapy. Get into therapy. It can be so incredibly helpful!!!! My parents have seen me go through multiple episodes over the last two years and they still don't get it so I got a therapist that deals with people with chronic disorders because I needed validation that I wasn't making it up and it's incredibly helpful.
Load More Replies... Those who criticise patients because they witnessed them having a good day.... wish they realised.... how actually disgusting the sub-ethics of it really are. Like... what do you want? To see a person dying and crawling there beneath your feet? Is it what it takes to understand? Allow these people some dignity, please. They're already through a lot.
At some point, opioid addiction can become the preferred option.
Didn't even know I needed this until I saw it. The constant state of hold your head high and get on with it is so exhausting. Nice to know it's ok not to be ok sometimes
I remember being in constant, debilitating pain, not knowing why, doctors sending me for counselling as they thought I was imagining it or something. Then finally getting diagnosed... but there was no known cure. Several possible treatments, each with 10-30% chance of success. Tried one, wait 3 months, no improvement... try next, wait 3 months, no improvement.... this continued for 2 years. Part of me didn't want to try the last treatment, as once it was gone, I'd have no hope. But I did try it. It didn't work. That was the worst time of all. Lived with the pain after that. There was no real expectation id ever get better, and i was only 23. Inexplicably, over the following 8 years, I did get gradually better and back to full health. No idea how or why. Still scary to think I could relapse and suffer it all again, but I have my life again now. But I lost a decade of my life to constant pain, and those years were harrowing. Like being tortured, every day. I hope others get better too. X
my mom once told me that i'm faking chronic illnesses and i just need to 'be happier and have a positive mindset' like mom i love you but you don't know what it's like to be chronically ill
like seriously, i would show this to my mom and she'll just say 'just think positive'.
Load More Replies... I just want to thank you for this. If 1 person reads these and takes it in and understands then that's a job well done. My husband has MS, Bi-Polar, Restless leg syndrome, fibromyalgia and is partially sighted. We experience some sort of negativity every day, so thank you for making people aware
I've had 5 of the worst weeks of my life. Pain 24/7 and no sign of it easing up. I'm just so tired of it.
I'm in pain most days. I worry I'll be in more pain tomorrow. I worry that my flat looks like it should star in an episode of hoarders because I can't clear up after myself. I'm constantly worried that I'll slow friends down when I do go out. I take so much medication that people think I'm addicted (although I've been on pain meds for so long I probably am but I only take the prescribed doses). I am permanently exhausted. I can sleep 16 hours in a 24 hour period and still be exhausted. I still have to work full time as I can't afford to not work. I also have to care for my mother who has Alzheimer's and my sister (who also has a chronic illness) doesn't help. I resent people my age who are healthy.
Being told by older, non chronically ill ppl: oh you're young, wait til you get to my age. Excuse me my body is, in several places, the equivalent of an 80yr old(genetic stuff) Some places don't work properly at all (spinabifida). It's not my age dammit, just because I'm in my 30s doesn't mean I "don't know what real tired is". If they spent 30 seconds in my body I'm sure they'd have a new opinion!
This was hard for me to read as someone with a chronic illness. You're told all the time that you're fine or you're gonna be fine but you know that's not how your body feels. And yes you have good days and the days that aren't good you're just pretending you're OK and you're not pretending you're OK for you you're pretending you're OK for everyone around you.
I would like to take this opportunity to say fibromyalgia is a complete c**t. I've had enough of it now and I'm not even 40 yet
I needed this. I'm having a hard time accepting my limitations. It is taking a toll on my mental health. Thank you whoever these two are..
All of these are 100% pertinent. Also, gentle hugs to my fellow Chronic Pandas. We work like mad every second of every day just to be functional, yet no one sees our work but us.
I wouldn't wish this on anyone but its nice to know some others know what its really like. So many who don't understand are so hurtful.
I've made it to the ripe age of 70, living with chronic illness for all but my first two years of life. I'm very tired. I hurt 24/7, sometimes more than others. Both of my children are dead, many years so. I say that because I miss them deeply and terribly. I would never have expected them to take care of me, but I'd sure love to be able to talk to them. Sometimes that's the biggest help of all, just being able to talk to someone, have them just listen without trying to "help" me feel better. Nothing physically helps, so I pray, a lot....a LOT! Talking to God really does help, though I wouldn't expect that it would be so for everyone. That's my personal way of coping. Thank you for letting me say what I needed to say.
As one who has been experiencing various issues for the last 8 years, including having suffered the injuries of a huge and devastating fall, and now, at 70 years old, have age to contend with, I truly understand everything "said" on the sign boards. I get it, I really do.
I've had chronic migraine for over 20 years. I don't remember what it's like to feel normal.
Ugh this almost made me cry. I have terrible IBS and I feel so guilty about it bc whenever it flares up, I blame myself for eating the wrong thing or not hydrating enough or whatnot. I feel so weak leaving work early for a "stomachache" but sometimes the discomfort is truly debilitating. But I always feel people suspect me of making excuses or exaggerating. I would give up food for the rest of my life if i could replace it with some method that meant I could be pain free.
There is an online community for the chronically ill..."The Mighty". Share stories and info with others in our leaky boat
I have never appreciated a BoredPanda post so much. It's easy to feel so alone in this.
as someone who doesn’t even have a chorionic illness but is depressed i loved these
My general practitioner doesn't understand why I don't want a mammogram or colonoscopy. Basically if they found anything I wouldn't go through treatment that is going to be equivalent to being the walking dead, because I feel like that every day and sure as heck would be able to take chemo, radiation or surgeries on top of my everyday hell.
I hate when you begin your day barely being able to get out of bed but it is a day you have a doctor's appointment. So you try to get up, to get ready, then a migraine hits. Can barely dial phone to tell doctor's office you can't make the appointment today and then you get put in the "bad" patient file who doesn't cancel their appointment at least 48 hours before appointment. In 48 hours I could have an ok day, a day I am crippled in bed or even be hospitalized for major flare. I wish they understood that getting up, getting ready and getting there is a battle that will probably take two days to recover from.
I think that I'm fighting right now and just had a setback literally today. And this is exactly how I feel. It's good to know other people out there get it. It's good to know that the frustration of things people say is real, even if they just don't know any better, it doesn't help. I'm learning to say what I need first before I talk about anything related to what I'm going through. You are doing good things, add this to your accomplishments and know that you're helping others, me included.🧡
Thank you so much for this. Gives words to so many difficult experiences so hard to explain. All the best to you, for every day.
Me to people who magically appear on FB selling their magic elixir: Thank you for the unsolicited advice, I'm not here for you to profit on me. Also to people who mean well: Thank you but going to the gym isn't a cure for my illness. Some days I barely have the energy to shower. Yes I tried eliminating dairy, eating gluten-free (I have celiac disease too,) and I won't go vegan. None of these things helped. After 25 years, I have tried everything! Just support my need to manage my energy with chores and outings. Accept me as I am.
The you're too young comment... I just turned 50. I have had 4 joint replacements and I'm going for another soon. Chronologically I'm 50. Physically I'm so much older than that. It's been 20 years... nearly half my life of all that this post expressed and so much more. If you are ill, I wish you the best day you can have. If you know someone ill, please take a moment to look at their lives from their perspective. You're compassion and patience will mean more to them then you can imagine.
I have lived with Chronic Illnesses for most of my life and now at 56 have not been able to work for the past two years. Every single one of these is me. Finally something to show people what I mean. My dream is to wake up just one day not in pain, not dizzy, not nauseous, not having my nerve endings on fire. Here as I prepare for neurosurgery number five and number six in December.
Read the room dude. And learn some fücking empathy. And reading comprehension is important.
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