Do Others Understand Your Illness?

[Golfputter]

I have a question for every body. Does anyone understand you when you try to tell them what your doctor said you have. After being out of work for awhile in the beginning of all this and trying to find out what was wrong . I had a hard time trying to make friends and family understand what I had. I think they think I'm nuts. I don't complain about it in front of anybody anymore. If they only knew how I feel on the inside.

 

[LisaQ.]

I would imagine it is fairly common. I know folks with fibromyalgia complain about this all of the time. Their symptoms don't generally disable them, at least not physically, but their bodies and spirits are suffering, nonetheless.

People have trouble believing what they can't see.

There was a study done that found that folks are uncomfortable with people in wheelchairs. In general, they avoid eye contact, squirm, look away, and feel awkward when physically challenged individuals are in their midst.

Yet, if someone is ill, but seems "normal," people are inclined to say, "get over it," or "stop your whining."

Either way, I believe this proves that in general, human beings tend to be uncomfortable with suffering of any kind. It hits us in our kishkas, causing us to confront our own mortality, at least physically speaking.

I just choose not to discuss it with anyone. It is why I still like to come here after 22 months of this. I can't expect people to understand what they have never experienced, and it wouldn't be fair to do so. But here, we are all in this together, and I'm so happy for the wonderful friends I've made on this board.

Blessings,
Sue

 

[jsageurge]

I don't tell anyone. When I first showed my wife (an RN) my twitching fingers, she gave me a strange look and told me to mention it to the doctor. Then she told me about her freakin eye twitch.

But we know how you feel, so you're in the right place. Imagine this site didn't exist and you had these symptoms.

 

[EyeoftheWild]

I don't really worry about my bfs so I don't care if people understand, or not. They don't understand all kinds of needs that I have, and I have many. For instance: I have an incredible need to be seen as a Musical Theatre writer, that I could have been famous if only I had married LisaLM , but alas...I must suffer in silence. Further, I want people to see me as a spiritual equal to Ghandi, and I'm sure they would if Bill was my mentor...but alas, he is in Jersey and I am not.

I always look at people in wheel chairs and smile. Sometimes I catch them looking at my private parts, and I think that is pretty cool. I mean, why shouldn't they, they have needs and desires, and I'm pretty hot. Well, at least to the over 70 crowd.

Anyway, I too know how you feel. I think I feel a song coming on.

Sung to Heartbreak Hotel:

Nobody understands me
nobody gives a hoot
I'm down in the dumps 'bout bfs
I'm just a twitchin' bfs coot

'cause nobody gets me baby
nobody gets me
nobody gets my hurtin' side

sniff sniff
Basso

 

[SharonSmoove]

Yeah count me in for people thinking I'm nuts!!. Look if it was just twitching I wouldn't give a toss and would just get on with it. But for me its constant aching and just lately fatique. My leg pain really hurts.
Anyway I don't talk to anyone about it just carry on like its all good.
I guess they wouldn't understand something they couldn't see. My family is kinda like , oh for godsakes get over it!!!.
So yeah no support.

Sharon

 

[Golfputter]

Thanks for the replies. This is were I belong, where people understand. Your right I don't know were I'd be if this site didn't exist. It's nice to let a little humor out knowing there's nothing sinister going on. When reading these post this morning it was nice to hear from those that have been here a while and I got a few laughs from EyeoftheWild's humor. Bill the eye switch part was funny. My wife said the same thing about here eye the other day. I just rolled my eyes at her. Have a good weekend.



Tom