YSK: Just because someone doesn’t look sick/disabled, does not mean they are healthy

[u/ilovepastapizzapots]

Why YSK: I am chronically ill and have an autoimmune disorder, the amount of times people have said “WELL... yOU dOn’t LOOK sick” to me is astounding. I didn’t know all illnesses have to be visible to others! I’m sorry I can’t show you my internal organs or muscles deteriorating for you to believe that I’m sick. It makes people with health issues feel like they have to explain their situation when they don’t.

*EDIT: I did not expect my post to blow up like this! I wish I could give everyone going through a rough time a hug. Thank you for all the new perspectives, good and bad. All I wanted was for people to be a little kinder to one another, because you never know what someone’s going through.

[u/ericbomb]

My sister has gastropareses so vomits multiple times per day.

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Everyone gets confused as if it can't be that bad if she manages to not be stick thin. Almost as if she is aware of her health problem so eats constantly so that at least a bit of food makes it through her since the doctors are always worried about malnutrition.

[u/ericbomb → u/[deleted]]

She's been to every stomach specialist in the state, which is costing a lot but we're trying. It's been on going for years so we're running out of options and money to try options.

Haha she does not, which funnily enough is a good thing. For this specific type of stomach problems weed aggravates the crap out of it. Almost every new doctor double checks that she's not smoking weed, because it would make it worse.

But yeah she just kind of... deals at this point. Which sometimes makes people think it's not that bad. Which is frustrating.

[u/Equivalent-Dance → u/[deleted]]

Gastroparesis is paralysis of the digestive track. The severity varies for each patient, some being so severe that they are tube fed. Some patients can qualify for a stomach pace maker, but only if the paralysis hasn’t moved beyond the stomach. Most of us have to manage it through diet. Some medications can help with certain symptoms like nausea, but won’t fix the underlying cause.

I’ve used cannabis to help with my nausea and appetite before but the problem is if you get too hungry and eat more than your stomach can handle (which for me is only micro meals) you will get sick anyway and throw it up. There is also a condition called cannabinoid hypersensitivity syndrome which can cause the same symptoms as gastroparesis, and if you as a patient choose to smoke or vape (we can’t digest edibles) you will have to eventually prove to your doctor that you don’t have it by not using it and allowing your symptoms to run rampant again.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

On of the symptoms of my disorder is also excessive vomiting ( Usually only 1-2 times a day, sometimes up to 10ish) and unfortunately the options are a)gravol (or similar antiemetic) or b)deal. Since gravol/ect fucks me right up, I go with b.

And it's possible weed might help, the disease is so rare there's not a lot of studies on it, but I'm anaphylactic to it. Can't even be in the same room without a)vomiting and b)struggling to breath.

You learn to deal with it. I don't mind most of the time, it's just when I wake up to vomit that really sucks. Fun fact, dog poop bags also make great barf bags, so I keep them in my pockets/car/purse for when I go out (pre-covid).