Life Experiences and Advice for Living with chronically Ridiculous illnesses
In the 19th century, doctors were likely to write off most symptoms women suffered as hysteria, “exaggerated emotion or excitement.” Less has changed from those days than you might think. Sexism of our society still profoundly influences how women with chronic illness are treated by their doctors and their friends, family, and colleagues. My…
Note: I use able-bodied and healthy interchangeably as well as chronically ill and disabled interchangeably, but there are differences. As humans, we all have limitations. We can only go so long without sleep, rest, food, and water. We can only bear so much psychological stress. To have these limitations is to be human. Just because…
It is pretty standard for a doctor to refer their patients to a specialist when they are stumped or their knowledge is limited. It is a great practice to get better more specialized help. However, when a patient has a chronic illness, especially if it is one that isn’t well known, this can be a…
Finding the right doctor is a daunting task- especially when you have POTS. I think it is important to change the way we view doctors when you have a condition that the average doctor knows so little about. Instead of going to a doctor and taking their way as law, it is best to find…
Two people’s 7/10 may be wildly different. The scale does not work as a stand-alone tool without considering the pain patients have felt in the past.
Two weeks ago I went in for an injection in my back. The doctor, instead of being focused on my pain and comfort, decided to use me seeing him as a platform to push alternative medicine on me. By the end of my time with him I was sobbing because I was so frustrated from…
Everyone is freaking out about opiate overdose- what about the major problem no one is talking about? Prescription overdose has been in the spotlight lately, which makes sense. Drug overdoses have now surpassed automobile overdoses as the leading cause of accidental death. What doesn’t make sense is that because of this spotlight chronic pain patients are…
Dear Healthy People, There are a lot of articles out there about what you should stop saying to sick people. Here are some things healthy people need to think about before they say because they are hurtful. Please stop saying and doing the following. You are being insensitive and ignorant. I try so hard to…
People should not demand someone with a disability to look at themselves in whatever way you see fit. Don’t complain that they talk about their illness too much. My disability does not define me, but it has shaped who I am. I have to deal with it every single day; it is a part of my life and I will talk about it if I want to.
Dear Supporters of a Person Who Is Chronically Ill, Today I want to give up. It happens every once in a while. Chronic pain is a fight you never get breaks from. It is all day every day, and lately for me it has been all night every night. Pain and lack of sleep have…