ignoranceisnotinnocence

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Always regret telling my coworkers about my chronic illness

Prime example this week. I called in sick on monday because I was awake for 34ish hours (due to insomnia). Not sleeping also triggers my other conditions like migraines and RA flare ups.
Anyway, this is a prime example of why I always regret telling my coworkers (or anyone) about my insomnia at work. Its so damn frustraing to get responses like these from people when the know i have chronic illnesses

Me: sorry i didnt come in. I was awake for about 34 hours and didnt think it was safe to work.
Coworker: have you tried warm milk with garlic? Works for me every time.
Coworker 2: Lush has this lotion that helps me sleep. It smells so good

NO KAREN. IVE HAD INSOMNIA MY WHOLE LIFE AND NEVER THOUGHT TO TRY WARM MILK BEFORE. AND I CANT TRY THAT LOTION BECAUSE SCENTS TRIGGER MY MIGRAINES BUT COOL, THANKS FOR YOUR MAGICAL MILK AND LOTION CURES THAT'LL CHANGE MY BRAIN CHEMISTRY FOR SURE

#Insomnia #RheumatoidArthritis #frustrations #Migraines #Anxiety #ignorance #ignoranceisnotinnocence #CheckInWithMe #ButYouDontLookSick #Cantgetoutofbed #Cantalwaysplayalong #fakesmile #fakeittillyoumakeit #healthcareworker

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Behind every productive day is a painful day....

I am sure many of you understand this. It is actually quite nice to talk to people who truly get it. But what everyone around me fails to see is that any time I have a productive day, then I know I am going to pay for it the next day. It doesn't matter how physically exhilarating it is. I could be getting stuff done on the computer all day and still have the same results. And no matter how many times I explain that when I say my body aches, I do not mean that it is sore, people still equate it to that.

I just want to scream, "NO HUN, my aches are not the same aches you get after a long day at work. It is an indescribable pain that doesn't go away. In fact, it is only getting worse. It is not just a part of getting older! YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH!!!! You would never speak this way to someone with cancer. And I am not comparing my illness to cancer, but if you think doing so would be absurd that is exactly how I feel when you compare my pain to yours!!!!!"

But instead of saying all of that I usually just nod along and silently suffer. It is like people think I am just making excuses or something. I want to start calling people out when they say some rude and ignorant.

#rantover

#Fibromyalgia #ChronicPain #ignoranceisnotinnocence

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How do you respond to people who are convinced they have the one 'cure' you haven't tried?

It seems to happen everytime I post anything on any of my personal social media pages about chronic pain or chronic illness and it really rubs me the wrong way.

People (and this one woman in particular is very persistent) seem to think that all I need is the one thing they're selling or promoting to get better.

I feel like they dont understand the meaning of the word chronic. I also feel its very ignorant of them to presume that I am not trying to do everything I can to cope.

I really dont know how to respond. My immediate reaction is frustration--however Im a big believer that we all need to be a little kinder and more compassionate even when people dont deserve it.

This one person though keeps implying that this product she sells is a cure all and sends me messages every time I post anything. Her messages basically say that I must not want to get better and that Im just creating or dramatizing my pain without wanting help. Ive tried responding to her politely but she just ignores what I say and repeats that 'when im ready to get better' the solution is there. Its so discouraging.

#ChronicFatigue #selfadvocate #ignoranceisnotinnocence #everyonethinkstheyhavetheanswer #stereotyped #stigmatized #nooneunderstands #Fibro #BrainFog #BrainInjury

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