Why Does No One Believe My Pain?

Yeah, I don't even get my period right now because of a medicine I'm on (not bc) but an RN I recently saw kept trying to tell me my pain was "just period pain". 🙄 Even if it was period pain, periods should not be putting you in debilitating pain and if they are it shouldn't be dismissed. 🤦🏾

I will say that I got told that it was my period almost all of my teenage years by male pediatric doctors and within two appointments with my new primary care provider I got sent to a GI and now have my IBS diagnosis. So even though above I said I feel invalidated (and I do) keep knowing that what you’re feeling is real. And you are valid

Something that has at least made my family keep those opinions to themselves is if I get incredibly graphic with them. I start to describe to them what comes along with each types of pain (i.e. pooping everywhere or leaving a trail of blood behind me in a few days time) and that usually works. It at least makes me feel better to make them so uncomfortable. I also get told that trying to follow the low-FODMAP diet is me being dramatic and that it’s not necessary. So I also get feeling depressed. I feel so invalidated all of the time

Oh my god yes!!! I had my doctor tell me I could take more ibuprofen for period pain despite the fact I said “I’m always in pain, it’s not my period” and my mom has told me that just “every third period is worse, it’s just your period”. That’s the problem with having a vagina, EVERYTHING is blamed on periods!!! Just know your sickness and pain is valid whether people believe it or not. Rooting for you!!

I 100% relate! My folks oftentimes blame stress or my mental illnesses as the cause of my symptoms. Sure, they might exasperate them, but these GI symptoms also contribute heavily to my mental health…it seems to be an endless cycle. Just know that you’re valid and what you’re feeling is real. You’ve got this!

That’s the problem with having GI issues as a female. No one believes us! I had a doctor tell me it was stress turns out I had C Diff which is a GI infection. It’s so frustrating. I would try to ignore them as best as you can. I’m so sorry!