You’re on the metro and notice a young girl sitting in a seat marked for disabled people. She gets up on her stop, walks out without any help, and you might think “Well, she doesn’t look sick.”
But maybe she has a condition that you can’t see such as a migraine, a hormonal disorder, chronic fatigue, digestive issues, or even a mental illness that makes her feel weak.
There are medical issues that quietly affect someone’s daily life and it’s hard to imagine what they go through unless you’re in the same boat.
But perhaps, you can empathize a bit after reading some of these stories that people have shared online — the terrible medical issues they suffer from, and the ones that are often overlooked.
And if you, like so many of them, have similar symptoms, maybe it’ll make you feel a little less alone, and a little more understood.
#41
Hypermobility. I'm so TIRED.
SenseiKrystal:
Omg, same. People think being double-jointed is a fun party trick, but like... everything hurts. And there's so many other things that go along with being hypermobile.
SenseiKrystal:
Omg, same. People think being double-jointed is a fun party trick, but like... everything hurts. And there's so many other things that go along with being hypermobile.
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12points
#42
Plantar fasciitis. Makes you walk like you're in your 80s. I want one of those walker things from a nursing home when mine flares up, sometimes I get it on both sides. I can hit the gym, run on a treadmill, lift weights, and am generally strong, but plantar fasciitis just turns me into an 85-year-old hobbling around when it flares up, and it's been flaring on me a few months now...
12points
#44
Hyperhidrosis; imagine if sweating consumed 99% of your time and thoughts….
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12points
#45
Food allergy.
ChironXII:
Gluten...
Double edged, because while the trend a while back increased options significantly, it also made people not take it seriously as an actual allergy that will destroy your life if you aren't careful.
disdainfulboomer:
Literally had a friend who had to drive herself to the hospital in full anaphylactic shock because a local "safe" restaurant changed to peanut oil without stating so.
Setsuna17:
It's scary to travel, and eat anything not labeled or at other people's houses. People treat you like an inconvenience though it's literally not a choice, or take your allergy very unseriously. Sometimes people will even "test" you. I have a peanut allergy and so many foods ate off limits to me now. And it's even harder when it's adult onset so you are missing food you ate before.
And an epipen does not always stop anaphylaxis. It feels like playing roulette.
ChironXII:
Gluten...
Double edged, because while the trend a while back increased options significantly, it also made people not take it seriously as an actual allergy that will destroy your life if you aren't careful.
disdainfulboomer:
Literally had a friend who had to drive herself to the hospital in full anaphylactic shock because a local "safe" restaurant changed to peanut oil without stating so.
Setsuna17:
It's scary to travel, and eat anything not labeled or at other people's houses. People treat you like an inconvenience though it's literally not a choice, or take your allergy very unseriously. Sometimes people will even "test" you. I have a peanut allergy and so many foods ate off limits to me now. And it's even harder when it's adult onset so you are missing food you ate before.
And an epipen does not always stop anaphylaxis. It feels like playing roulette.
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11points
#46
PCOS. It’s not just hormonal; it impacts the endocrine system as well and so much more.
11points
#47
Dry eye :( Having your eyes be burning or watering or too dry or with stabbing pains every day is actually so awful.
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11points
#49
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
Everyone thinks it's just having this feeling to move your legs. But mine PAINFUL. I'm talking feels like my leg muscles are on fire or being stabbed unless they're moving. Oh, and the name is misleading because you can get RLS in your arms and back as well.
RLS can hinder sleep as well. I've had chronic insomnia since I was a toddler. Took my sleep specialist about 30 seconds to notice I was constantly moving in his office so he started asking me questions in severity. After a few minutes if questions he asked if I'd ever been tested for ADHD. I said yes, he said that made sense. He thinks I've had RLS most of my life but my ADHD symptoms are really just exhaustion and adrenaline.
The main test is for ferretin which is an extension of iron tests. The problem with RLS is you can have technically good ferretin levels but it's far too low and exacerbating your symptoms.
I also have Upper Airway Restrictive Syndrome (UARS) which basically means my narrow airway narrows more when I'm sleeping so my brain thinks I'm [passing away] so it wakes me up. I also never feel as though my lungs are filled sufficiently. No meds to fix that, just an incredibly invasive, painful surgery most insurance polices exclude because it involves a maxillofacial surgeon manually moving your lower jaw forward to widen your airway. A lot if policies exclude jaw procedures which is stupid. I was given a CPap instead because insurance is willing to pay for me to have this machine shoot air up my nose in perpetuity until I die then to pay for a surgery which will fix the issue.
Everyone thinks it's just having this feeling to move your legs. But mine PAINFUL. I'm talking feels like my leg muscles are on fire or being stabbed unless they're moving. Oh, and the name is misleading because you can get RLS in your arms and back as well.
RLS can hinder sleep as well. I've had chronic insomnia since I was a toddler. Took my sleep specialist about 30 seconds to notice I was constantly moving in his office so he started asking me questions in severity. After a few minutes if questions he asked if I'd ever been tested for ADHD. I said yes, he said that made sense. He thinks I've had RLS most of my life but my ADHD symptoms are really just exhaustion and adrenaline.
The main test is for ferretin which is an extension of iron tests. The problem with RLS is you can have technically good ferretin levels but it's far too low and exacerbating your symptoms.
I also have Upper Airway Restrictive Syndrome (UARS) which basically means my narrow airway narrows more when I'm sleeping so my brain thinks I'm [passing away] so it wakes me up. I also never feel as though my lungs are filled sufficiently. No meds to fix that, just an incredibly invasive, painful surgery most insurance polices exclude because it involves a maxillofacial surgeon manually moving your lower jaw forward to widen your airway. A lot if policies exclude jaw procedures which is stupid. I was given a CPap instead because insurance is willing to pay for me to have this machine shoot air up my nose in perpetuity until I die then to pay for a surgery which will fix the issue.
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11points
#50
I never really truly understood how bad true panic attacks were until I had one for the first time. I’ve always had general anxiety which has been manageable into my 30s. I thought I understood the depths of it. But I had a medical issue and the meds and the medical situation caused severe anxiety and panic attacks.
You might as well be bleeding out, having a heart attack, a stroke, a brain bleed and going blind all at the same time because that’s what your brain is telling you is happening. Not like “this might be happening” more like “this is HAPPENING”.
Because of my experience I was having almost daily panic attacks for months, and it completely fried my nervous system and took me 2 years to feel 60% back to normal. It’s been 6 years and I’m still not back to normal and I don’t think I ever will be. I am fundamentally changed because of the experience.
You might as well be bleeding out, having a heart attack, a stroke, a brain bleed and going blind all at the same time because that’s what your brain is telling you is happening. Not like “this might be happening” more like “this is HAPPENING”.
Because of my experience I was having almost daily panic attacks for months, and it completely fried my nervous system and took me 2 years to feel 60% back to normal. It’s been 6 years and I’m still not back to normal and I don’t think I ever will be. I am fundamentally changed because of the experience.
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11points
#51
Was just recently diagnosed with cervical spondylosis (Arthritis in my neck). People think I slept wrong and have a crick in my neck. It's debilitating and has significantly impacted my life more than anything I've dealt with before because I'm ALWAYS in pain.
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11points
#52
Eczema.
A lot of people actually develop it eczema some point in their lives, but it’s usually very minor and will go away in time.
I’ve grown up with eczema and still struggle with it today. Some periods of my life were great when I can manage my eczema. But sometimes, something will randomly trigger your eczema and it will flare up really badly.
Since eczema can affect your physical appearance, it can also affects your mental health as well.
A lot of people actually develop it eczema some point in their lives, but it’s usually very minor and will go away in time.
I’ve grown up with eczema and still struggle with it today. Some periods of my life were great when I can manage my eczema. But sometimes, something will randomly trigger your eczema and it will flare up really badly.
Since eczema can affect your physical appearance, it can also affects your mental health as well.
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10points
#53
Frozen shoulder.
timewilltell2347:
Yes another lovely gift of menopause that no one talks about
timewilltell2347:
Yes another lovely gift of menopause that no one talks about
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10points
#54
Hidradenitis suppurativa. Oh it's just a skin condition! No. It causes massive interconnected wounds that form and tunnel UNDER the skin. A spot will form and it will get bigger and fuller and more painful every day for days and weeks until the wound tunnel finally opens to the surface of the skin, and erupts pus and fluid out everywhere. It usually forms in the armpits, under the breasts, and in the groin. It causes severe and extensive scarring and also obviously creates a huge risk for infections. Its excruciating, embarrassing, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it except get really good at wound care. People also like to blame someone for having it thinking it's a hygiene issue, they think showering more or using [things] like witch hazel will help. Nothing helps. There is no cure. There is no known cause. It can be mild and behave for a while and then flare up horribly for no known or observable reason.
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10points
#55
Celiac disease "just don't eat gluten".
10points
#57
Essential Tremors. Not life threatening but they can really damage your quality of life.
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10points
#58
Bell's palsy( paralysis of one side of the face)
It's mostly a temporary thing and a lot of people get it. I've had a couple of people around me get diagnosed with it and it was very tough for them until it resolved.
The little things like being able to keep and swallow your saliva, being able to munch onto food on that side, being able to simply close your eyes when you sleep, being able to talk well and to smile. It's all hard. It turns out to be a funny condition and a lot of people make jokes about it but it truly is just annoying and very disabling for the moment that it is there.
It's mostly a temporary thing and a lot of people get it. I've had a couple of people around me get diagnosed with it and it was very tough for them until it resolved.
The little things like being able to keep and swallow your saliva, being able to munch onto food on that side, being able to simply close your eyes when you sleep, being able to talk well and to smile. It's all hard. It turns out to be a funny condition and a lot of people make jokes about it but it truly is just annoying and very disabling for the moment that it is there.
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10points
#59
Metatarsalgia.
Doctor tells my that's what's causing my foot pain. Good to know - how do we fix it?
"You don't. Welcome to foot pain being your new normal. I recommend against activies that load the forefoot. Things like standing, and walking.".
Doctor tells my that's what's causing my foot pain. Good to know - how do we fix it?
"You don't. Welcome to foot pain being your new normal. I recommend against activies that load the forefoot. Things like standing, and walking.".
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9points
#60
WMD. Wet Macular Degeneration.
No cure, you will go blind, but very painful injections into your eyeballs can delay it a bit. Hereditary.
No cure, you will go blind, but very painful injections into your eyeballs can delay it a bit. Hereditary.
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9points