Feeling Isolated with Chronic Illness

My counselor recommended a group called the US Pain foundation. They have state support groups that have Zoom meetings monthly and other helpful support ideas. I would recommend checking them out. It’s another way of finding people who understand. Very caring and helpful people.

I definitely can relate... Everyone just views me as a normal person and when I experience anxiety or whatever they look at me like I'm crazy or feel like I shouldn't be acting the way I do.... Only another person alike can ever sympathize or empathize with me.... Not even my immediate family I live with everyday.

I get it all too well. I have become almost agoraphobic and have stress attacks when I'm around others so I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I'm overwhelmed with all of you feeling the same way. I don't feel so alone now. We have each other, here, and I'm so thankful for that. Thanks everyone. 💕

Yeah we're also a grocery list of medical problems and it's so isolating

I thought I commented, but now I don’t see my post. But yes I 100% relate and it can be very isolating from normal social situations.

Depression, anxiety, and lack of energy to clean my house like I used to are huge problems for me.

✋ me too!!!! They can’t wrap their heads around how we live with it all and it’s like there is not a choice, if you have a hard time hearing about my life imagine trying to LIVE it!! It’s so hard but you are not alone!!!!! Hugs!! 🤗 🤗 🤗

Yea I keep thinking about dating lately. But then I get worried that people can't handle all my symptoms and all my conditions. I keep thinking I'd be a burden or not equal in the relationship to the other person (not be able to give them enough love or anything). Also I'm a lgbt Christian with chronic pain, so that doesn't help....

I do much more than I want. In order for me to be around others and forget in with my family and friends. I go around them and not complain about my illments and enjoy them. Then you will get them asking you how you are. I got tired of being alone.

Yes unfortunately

It sounds like you might have fatigue syndrome. That usually involves pain and extreme lethargy. Yes I understand I'm in the same boat but I'll be honest with you because of the way I feel I don't want much company anymore. I'm good to talk on the phone for an hour once or twice a week with a friend and when family comes in town I'm thankful these days that they don't want to stay at my house because I could not be a very good hostess anymore. There's lots of things you can do these days when you're alone. I prefer it to obnoxious people LOL I color, do most of my socializing on my phone just like this, read, watch lots of tv, I have Ranch but right now it's very hot outside and I can't go out for more than 5 to 8 minutes without being completely beat red. So I don't get to see my animals till it cools down thank God my husband can take care of them. Sometimes I have my husband take me for a drive just to get me out of these four walls. We're never going to have the fun we once did not unless we get diagnosed and get a healing but most of the time we can just get better for a while. I guess acceptance is the key.

❤️ I understand what having many medical problems is like. As a matter of fact, on here, I've heard the same thing many times. I was shocked myself! Is good to know there are other people like us out there!

i agree with you guys. This site help us. Not only in the loneliness , but the way to share our experiences, and treatment. Here I learn alot. And I'm very grateful for all of you guys. This is a place where we can come and talk. And fill completely support.

I have had chronic pain for most of my life and l'm so excited to see people who understand. I have pseudo tumor cerebri and I have regular blinding headaches a lot! So I tend to suck at staying in touch all the time and people just give up on me and go on with life. Which I don't blame them, but to have someone, or even a community that wouldn't give up on me would be amazing. 💯🥺

I get it too! I am too young to be this bad off! My body hurts all over, all the time! Osteoarthritis in almost every joint! Low back, neck, knees, shoulders and hips! Tendinitis in one foot and one elbow. Carpal tunnel in both hands. Headaches everyday. I'm a mess and I can't help that I hurt! So I moan a lot! Give me a break 💔

I totally relate! Especially when your condition is still undiagnosed, it can feel even more isolating because you can’t tell someone “I have X or Y”. There’s really no reason anyone should believe you… it’s often difficult to even believe yourself…

I meant and friends*

I feel exactly the same and I feel isolated cause not only does covid keep being with loved ones and family at bay so does chronic pain n fatigue 😢

I'm in the same boat which is why I joined this app. My family is oblivious, my friends have no idea how to deal with me. My current romantic relationships are the only ones that have been willing to try and understand. It sucks that ppl aren't more understanding or willing to understand.

I am so lonely. So depressed. So anxious. I hurt so badly.

Im in the same boat😥

Kimmie! I couldn't help but to giggle at the grocery list description of conditions and symptoms. It is because I can relate.🤗

I can relate to this a lot

You’re Not Alone I Hurt Everyday Pain Medication Don’t Help Me At All So I Have To Suffer And Patches That Goes In My Mouth Makes Me Itch Other Meds Immune To Some Family Members Just Don’t Understand What Your Going Through Until There Go Through What Your Going Through

✋ Lonely and depressed

Yes. I completely understand. I’m dealing with a lot of pain daily but sometimes even people in my own household don’t get it. Also when you don’t look like you’re sick people feel like you’re lying or trying to get sympathy. But we must all take it day by day and hope for the best. Thx for sharing.

✋✋✋I know where you are coming from. It seems like my list gets longer every time I go to the doctor's. I have chronic in front of just about everything and no one seems to want to understand why I break parking rules at work, fight for close parking at stores, or use a chair to do long period standing work at work. My boss tries to accommodate, but even he doesn't understand everything he's trying to help me deal with...neither does my husband.

I dont talk about my problem with average people in my life i just say im having A day if its a bad one. The more i go into my symptoms the more annoying i think i come off to average joe people. My bones and joints ache constantly especially today i tossed and turned all night but my Amazon halo said i had 'good' sleep. But my whole body feels on fire. From the aches. I dont think many people in my building really get that sept the older folks and i have so much sympathy for them.

All the time wish I had someone to talk to who understands that's why I joined this group

So I just learn to deal with it as best I can and try to be my own advocate but it is very challenging at times. I was pre boarding a flite last week as I needed extra time and some woman in her wheelchair told me that this was pre-boarding for people needing extra help! Because I didn’t look like anything was wrong with me even she misjudged me! Very upsetting.

I get a laugh when someone tells me they have a pain in their thumb and I want to scream and tell them that pain in their thumb is what my total body feels like all over 24/7! Lol Just hard to get people to understand.

Having several Different chronic pain issues is difficult enough but when you don’t look to other people like you’re in constant pain, some tend to think you’re faking it! They just don’t understand , including sometimes family, so it’s very frustrating. It’s like u have to be in a wheelchair or using a Walker for people to believe you. Gets a bit depressing at times.

Definitely. It's hard when you're the only one around you dealing with this stuff. It's incredibly isolating, and most people won't get it. It's like living in a different world almost

I can appreciate how you feel. People tend to not consider what it may be like for someone with many ailments. But then you have to remember that people are innately selfish. So sometimes I realize that I have to just do what I have to do. Circumstances differ, so you base your decisions on what works best for your situation.

I really feel you on this. I definitely got a lot of garbage genes from both sides of my family. Many different types of illnesses with an array of different symptoms. It really sucks sometimes

I get this completely...currently my Gastroparesis is in control of my life cuz I can't be going out anywhere without bringing a bucket and I can't be in public places throwing up over and over so I spend every day and every night exactly the same with different series to binge in between throwing up

Lots of people deal with this type of thing, it can be very isolating and it is *hard* to find others who understands it exactly, I recommend looking for support groups in your area!

Yes. Loneliness is a constant companion to me and to we that have medical issues. Sometimes, there's no support system too. I'm so glad for this app.

yea I know a thing or two about that lol. I don't associate with people who don't or won't understand that I am doing my absolute best every second of the day, and if that means cutting out family members, so be it!

One of my best friends has her own difficult chronic pain to deal with and we spend a lot of time together. We get the world the other one is living in even though the diseases aren’t the same. It’s really been lovely for both of us having someone in our lives who gets it and we try to enjoy life in the ways we can

✋ Absolutely. It's so very hurtful too. And I get so tired of family that constantly suggests jobs they "just know would work out" for me even after losing several jobs after being carried away by ambulance. They're clueless and can be so hurtful because of their ignorance.

You are not alone I feel the same way