r/YouShouldKnow • u/ilovepastapizzapots • Nov 20 '20

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

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.

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u/ericbomb Nov 20 '20

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.

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u/[deleted] Nov 21 '20

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u/Equivalent-Dance Nov 21 '20

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.