How I Define Being 'Tired' as Someone With a Chronic Illness

“I’m tired.”

How many times have you said that? Or heard that from you from someone?

Sometimes you can say, “I’m tired,” because you were up all night watching movies or you were out all night drinking with your friends. I’ve gone out and met up with friends for lunch and they’ve told me, “I’m tired. I was up all night talking on the phone with my boyfriend.”

I have heard tons of different reasons why someone would say they are tired. But your definition of being tired is likely completely different from mine. Many of you say you are tired because you might have spent all day in bed binge watching TV shows. Sometimes I lay in bed all day too, but for a different reason.

I’m tired. I am tired of being in pain every single day. I am tired of having to tell my friends I can’t go out and meet them for lunch or dinner. I am tired of having to go to doctor appointments every other week.

I’m tired.

I am tired of taking medication for my chronic pain, that sometimes don’t do their job. Sometimes they make me sick and keep me in bed. The pain gets unbearable and I can’t do anything about it. I am tired of not having control over my pain and when it hits my body. It’s intense and it hurts.

I’m tired. I am tired of my nightstand looking like a pharmacy. I am tired of not being able to have set plans with my family because I don’t know if I can make it.

Me being tired means something completely different from what it means to the majority of people. I’m tired of the struggle of dealing with chronic pain on a daily basis. It’s not an easy battle, but one I face every day and will continue to fight. That is one thing that makes those who have chronic pain so strong, is that we will never give up. Therefore making us warriors.

But, on some days, we get tired.

We want to hear your story. Become a Mighty contributor here.

Thinkstock Image By: Archv