Top Ten Worst Suggestions Commonly Given to Someone with a Chronic Illness

General
1

Here's a little something I found online that I think you guys make find humorous. Fibro fog got the site name but it wasn't me that wrote this,

The top ten worst suggestions commonly given to someone with a chronic illness:
1)Have you tried holistic options? (many. I’ll bring it back up with my doctor on my next visit, thanks.)
2) Could it be your stress? (My opinion is, it is my illness. I’ll bring it up with my doctor though, thanks.)
3) Could it have to do with the altitude? (I’ll bring it up with my doctor…thanks.)
4) I read in {insert any generic magazine here} about a new medication. Have you heard about it? (I was on it when it came out 17 years ago. but I’ll bring it up with my doctor. thank you.)
5) Have you thought about being in a trial study? (I’ll ask my doctor. thanks?)
6) WOW. If I were you, I don’t know what I would do. I might just kill myself. (Thanks?)
7) Have they found what is causing the problem? (no. my doctor is an idiot. I’ll remind him, thanks!)
8) Have you tried hypnosis? (I’m still sick, but when the phone rings I bark like a dog.)
9) Have you googled your illness? (….no! thanks!)
10 Have you ever thought you were getting sick because you haven’t wrapped your house in aluminum foil because, you know, the aliens have been bugging our houses for the past 30 years and in some cases, making people really sick. I read on…..gee I lost the web site. but it’s true! I heard it from Sally’s cousin’s sister-in- law. And then every time you use deodorant you would think you would be warding off these bugging rays, but it still makes it worse, so you are not being pro-active to your health by wearing that deodorant. I can’t believe you! If you wanted to get better you would stop wearing deodorant..(voice gets fainter and fainter the further you just walk away.) THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

2

I HATE number 4. My mother uses this one on me all of the time as if some over the counter medicine is instantly going to cure me. And she gets insulted when I don't try them, even the goofy ones. In fact, they all usually are pretty goofy. I cannot convince her or my sister that this is a FOREVER illness, not something that will simply pass by one day.

3

You know, I think we need to cut people some slack. Yes, many people say some insensitive things but most of the time they are well meaning, especially those that are close to and love us. And many people don’t know how to deal with a visible illness much less an invisible one. So, best to gently remind them that their words can hurt. If they aren’t close to you, who cares? You don’t have to be in their company, you know.

4

Yeah, I just kinda caught that last part. That's a real, "Gee, thanks.........jerk," kinda moment.

5

Yes, but in private here we can vent about how some things that are said drive us crazy, even when they come from those we love. It's much better to have a place to vent it than to get so steamed up that you blurt it out. And I know there are times (many times) when I'm really tempted to lose it when my mom says #4 but thankfully I don't. But it's great to be able to tell someone who understands how crazy she drives me with that approach.