#chronic illness problems

[demiboydemon]

So sad about the United Health CEO :( has he tried yoga?

[chronicallyillandcoping]

Sometimes i find myself putting off taking pain killers usually with the mental reasoning that I'm not in a really really high amount of pain so I dont need it yet.

This is a reminder to myself and anyone out there that needs it that you dont have to wait to be in a really high amount of pain before you take pain relief or do things that will make you feel better.

[justsomerandomgay]

today is the first time a doctor has ever examined my stomach and told me something was wrong. something physical that he could see and touch. he told me something was wrong with me. and it made me so happy.

something was wrong even when my labs were clear. i’m allowed to be happy to get bad news because it means i finally have answers. and answers is something i spent my childhood praying for. so yes im happy to be told something is wrong with me. because something was wrong before anyone believed me. now i just have proof

[slveepyscwrs]

"omg bedrotting is so quirky and aesthetic"

well susan maybe it is until you're clutching yourself trying not to cry out of pain, everyone in your life fucking drags you for physically not being able to do personal hygiene, your grades drop and everyone's disappointed in you because even mental effort burns you out, you're so fatigued you don't even have the energy to answer your loved one's texts, heck you're so fatigued that you don't even have the energy for your own HOBBIES anymore, and the guilt makes you want to just curl up into a ball and disappear every day.

[chronicsymptomsyndrome]

Me: Your place is so much nicer than mine I’m so dysfunctional lmao

Friend: no my house is such a mess I have adhd too dude

Me: Sure but your place is still way better than mine

Friend: stfu everyone always says that

…

Friend entering my home: oh dang. fair enough. how are you living like this

Me: lol dissociation

[pastafossa]

My medically heat sensitive ass watching heat related power outages creep closer and closer to my block like

[blackbird-brewster]

FRIENDLY REMINDER: Read your medication labels from time to time to check you're taking your meds at the correct dosage. Especially the ones you've been taking for ages and know your dose off the top of your head.

Signed, someone who found out I'd accidentally lowered a dose of one of my regular meds at some point and I'd been taking that wrong dose for a YEAR now. 😑🙃

[cheerfullycatholic]

[98lindsey]

Me sitting here wondering what this squeaking sound is only to realize it’s me wheezing. 🤦‍♀️

[bendybitchesanonymous]

Not to be a whiney bitch, but could they not work out a higher dosage in some of these tablets so I don't have to take a fucking million of them for the privilege of breathing when my lungs decide to treat themselves with a spot of pneumonia?

Context for the mlm thing‚ the checkout lady in Lidl wanted me to invest in her herbal lung detox made from what she thinks might be mycelium‚ but she isn't sure, but it definitely starts with M, and she's got big tubs of it

[chronicallyillandcoping]

My life is exhausting in a way that an abled bodied person wouldnt understand and thats okay. I dont need them to understand. However, i do need them to realise them being "tired sometimes" or "having an aching leg after running" doesnt equate to them understaning my experience. You dont need to understand my pain to be supportive.

[ohsweetzombiecthulhu]

Chronic Illness magical thinking: Maybe I'll feel better if I take a shower.

I am in a lot of pain tonight. Like cannot find a comfortable position, it won't abate with meds, and I want to cry. What does my brain come up with? Take a shower.

And I'm going to do it, because at least I'll be clean when I present to urgent care tomorrow.

(Yes, tomorrow, because as a chronic pain patient, this isn't even the worst I've had, so why pay the ER fee.)

[septembersghost]

the level of physical pain i am in is so extreme

[chronicsymptomsyndrome]

Canceling plans with the same person twice in three days because of pain and honestly, I’m just so tired. I’m tired of pain running my life. Tired and angry

[pastafossa]

Test run today of my makeup for my Jessica Jones cosplay. I've realized I haven't actually every tried to wear a mask when also wearing foundation so figured I'd see what happens while I'm at meetup tonight. I'm hoping it doesn't leave weird smear lines or anything since I want to take the mask off briefly for my pic with Charlie before putting it back on. We'll see.

[mandana-the-service-pup]

Take it from someone who is chronically ill…

I will try to hear you out when you are offering me health advice. I know it’s probably coming from a place of concern and you think this advice would help. But take it from someone who’s been through this for years. There are some things that just don’t fly well with many chronically ill people. Here is my short list but I’d like to hear from others in the community.

Please don’t recommend:

Exceptions made if the disabled person is asking you for a particular type of recommendation.

Anything ingestible. Supplements & diet changes are really difficult to talk about for a lot of people with chronic illness. Most of us have trialed handfuls of supplements a day and extreme diet changes. It’s often a phase we go through when undiagnosed or newly diagnosed because we don’t feel like we are getting enough support from doctors but we need to try something (ANYTHING) that might help us. Most of us also have GI issues and/or eating disorders. We have learned the hard way what works for our broken bodies. It’s a really sensitive topic for a variety of reasons and chances are the person has done the research and already knows more about them than you do.

Exercise. Disabilities are not all equal and this is especially true when it comes to exercise. Someone who is an amputee or paralyzed might not have the same issues as someone who has migraines or chronic fatigue. Exercise intolerance is real and many disorders are exacerbated by physical exertion. Even things like stretching and physical therapy can be too much or easily done in the wrong way. It’s a sensitive topic with heavy implications that the disabled person is lazy and/or wants to remain sick. Unless someone is specifically asking you for recommendations, this really should be off limits in conversation.

Mind over matter. The mind is capable of amazing things. We are aware of this. Our disabilities are not cured by positive thinking. Some of us may have already adopted our own strategies for being happy while dealing with chronic illness. It is a very individual experience and having an abelist tell us we are “choosing to be sick” is not as helpful as you think it is. Just don’t.

So what CAN you recommend?

Mobility aids and assistive devices. Not only is it actually helpful advice but it’s validating our experiences and shows us that you are comfortable with us showing our disabilities around you. Bonus points for really obscure, new or cool looking mobility aids especially if they are affordable!

Pain relief. Topical creams, ice packs, heating pads, braces, wraps, TENS, etc. Chances are we have already tried it but it shows us that you’re thinking about our pain and on the off chance it’s actually a good recommendation it could be a lifesaver and we will be forever grateful!

Small businesses run by people who belong to our communities (disabled, POC, LGBTQIA+, etc) Don’t try to compare our abilities to disabled business owners but it shows us you recognize we are a part of a community and that you might not be but that you are conscious of it and supportive. Buy from these shops for yourself to show your support or shop gifts for your chronically ill besties. Just be cautious about things that might be triggering to some. Some disabled people appreciate affirmations, “warrior” mentality, etc but others really don’t so choose wisely.

Accessible hobbies. Chronic illness makes it hard to commit to things. Period. We don’t know if we will have the physical ability to do an activity, the resources to do it or if our body will support scheduled activities when the time comes. It’s a huge challenge but that unpredictability can also be super conducive to picking up hobbies. Things that don’t require a ton of energy or scheduled classes. Things that can be picked up for a little bit when we are having a good day and put down when we aren’t feeling well. Most of us love to hear about your hobbies. It’s great to feel included in things when we are often cut off from people because we’ve been deemed “unreliable”. We are itching to talk about something fun with someone we care about. Something that isn’t related to our health or unmet expectations of us. So share your hobby. Share your second cousins neighbors hobby. Google some hobbies that could be fun for disabled people. It’s sure to be a fun conversation.