So People Believe You Are Really Ill?

Yes, I do have that problem. Even from some members of my family. Last year I was put on disability, and at 26, no one thinks I am really ill. One of the things I have is fibromylagia. I went to a new doctor and the first thing he said to me, was that fibromylagia did not exist. It was something people made up, mostly women, to give credence to medical problems that didn't exist. Well, needless to say, I left the office and did not return. But people persist in their stubbornness. I also have something that made my hair fall out. Most of my hair is gone, and it will never grow back. So when someone says, oh you must feel better, you look so healthy, I want to whip off my wig and scare the heck out of them! LOL, I don't, but someday I fear someone will push me too far. : )

I had trouble convincing people in the beginning. There were a lot of skeptics way back then (almost 11 years ago). People thought I was just making stuff up to try and get out of going back to work after my baby was born. I spent five years in litigation against my insurance company. That just made my illness worse. Now, at least where I live it is pretty much accepted as a real illness and a lot of people can see my fatigue even if they can't see my pain. But I certainly won't hesitate to tell my family members when I am hurting. When I was getting ready for my mediation meeting with the insurance company and my employer, I stood in front of my husband and said, "Do I look like I am in any pain?" He said no, obviously. I said, "Exactly. How can you possibly see my pain? I am in pain right now." Just like you can't see another person's headache, unless they are rubbing their head or making faces. Frankly, I don't care what people think. I know what I can and cannot do, how I feel at any given moment and will not be bullied into something when I am not feeling well.

Yup! It's sad.

i have the same problem everybody thinks i am able to do my work again i am a nurse but i cant,i wish it was true but i can only walk for an hour,i cant climb the stairs more then 10 times a day etc,etc

My doctor believes that it is a real condition, and is trying to help me get better before I get worse, but I rarely discuss it with anyone else. People look at me like I'm crazy. I just don't have the energy to explain it anymore.