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Let us moan

It's so, so, difficult having a chronic illness - make that multiple and let's call that a shitty time. It bugs me when 'healthy' people moan that I moan on my Facebook page. But, to me, it's so much more than that. It's saying I'm supposed to be happy that I've been dealt tough cards and that I'm supposed to be okay that I have these illnesses. But I'm not okay, far from it.

Us with chronic illnesse(s) don't get out much. We lose friends easily from not having a social life, there's me who is a single parent (and as much as I tell my son a lot of things- I'll never admit to how hard it is to him) and there's also the many other sufferers who are currently in hospital.
Facebook is an outlet. Many people post many different things: selling things, weight loss, children, gym progress, the list goes on.

So why can't people post about how rubbish they feel?






'Healthy' people catch a bug or get a cold and people wish them well because their bodies aren't used to being poorly so that is as poorly they're going to get. Imagine feeling like that 10x worse every single day for the rest of your life. Does that mean people should stop asking how you are because they know this is it for you? No they shouldn't.

Hundreds of people write about their illnesses to raise awareness of them and to let people know how hard it can be. It's 100% tough but just because I moan doesn't mean I've given up. But some people do. Some people have enough and end the suffering.

98% of the people who comment on my posts where I'm crying, are also the ones who suffer. Because they understand, too. Just because we don't all have the same symptoms, conditions, medications/side effects and home life doesn't mean we don't GET IT.

The list of illnesses I have are:
Hypermobility syndrome
Crohns disease
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Bile salt malabsorbtion
Colonic inertia
Chronic urticaria
Fibromyalgia
Ankylosing spondylitis
Bipolar disorder

I don't claim to be an expert in any of these things. But I suffer so I know a lot.

Next time you see someone suffering, moaning, not coping very well - maybe ask how they are? Don't get annoyed that they moan alot; your message could be the one that stops someone going over the edge.

I have an amazing son, who is a young carer, who keeps me going and is 100% my reason to smile and get out of bed every day. But not everyone has that person who keeps them strong.

Don't be the person who complains that someone's life is hard. Be that person who makes a difference to their life and ask how they are.
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