Psychosomatic VS psychological, good question. What do you think would happen if labels did not exist?
I like your thoughts though, they are very intelligently constructed and very informed, i wonder if you might like to look up some peer reviewed articles... I think someone such as yourself would find them to be very helpful in seeking an explanation for the various questions you pose in your youtube discussions :)
i have bi-polar, but it can't be seen in the same way as a broken arm can.... so it's hard 2 get people 2 understand and allow. At least a 'label' allows some form of help! I totally know what you're saying. Thanx 4 highlighting this.
Thank heaven that I was diagnosed after 10 years of hell.
excellent work mami! are you a therapist or just like me a student and a well informed consumer.
excellent excellent - thanks thanks thanks a million! I have never really heard it explained quite this way! amazing. I live w/schizoaffective disorder and I am learning more about bipolar disorder as my best friend who recently came out to me about his disorder. so I figure if I learn more about it I can help him by understanding a lil more about what he is going through and be a better friend.
Oh Kat, thank you so much for making this wonderful video. The very intelligent way that you have explained what it is like and the need for labeling for those with invisible illnesses is so clear and precise. I wish that many of the friends that I lost when I got sick had seen this video. Having to live daily with Fibro, CFS, depression and all the other symtoms are hard enough without support and understanding. Your video was so informative and well made...thank you!
Hello Kat :) I was looking for 'The Spoon Theory' and found your video (I have Spina Bifida and it helped me so much when I found it about a year ago). My mum had ME and I think if YOU feel ill then weather it's psychosomatic or not really doesn't come into it. Feeling like **** is still a fact!
Oh, yes and you have a new subscriber. Take care ;-)
Very true, but I do still intend on addressing the differences between physiological and psychosomatic one of these days, because there is a lot of confusion about the two; especially the latter. This really only came up because of this confusion, the most common of course being "all in your head".... and as the discussion turned to a heated debate, "psychosomatic" was (wrongly) used left and right; quite insultingly, at that. One of those "you had to be there" things. ;)
And I were right and I KNOW what you say, when you say you suffer more intense. I haven't been able to put words to explain it before. Those will work just fine, so hope I can barrow them.
Keep it up!
I needed this today. You know..
the little (and huge) reminders that SOMEONE really REALLY understands you, and get how messed up it is, and how conflicting it is to look well and be on the green mile, so to say...
You can borrow the words any time, that's why I put them out there - explaining and understanding ;)
See? THIS is why I refuse to quit when the trolls start getting to me (and actually just yesterday I wanted to quit, but the video and its comment thread on which we "met" reminded me why I post these videos).... we all need understanding, support, and just perhaps a smile from another person.
"On the green mile".... can I borrow that analogy? I love it! :)
I have planned to make some more vids about these things,
and now I think I got the inspiration I needed to continue my "life" series.
I think we understand eachother.
Both ways.
And that's very sad (Cuz you don't really want anyone to understand, as that means they have been thru it themselves), and (In a selfish and needed way) very good too.
i know you understand and feel it too thankx for being on utube i dont feel so very much alone in my pain, which you and i know is real ,u have inspired me to keep going, and not just say fuck it and quit life, the pain is killing me literally (i cant type to well today ,it hurts so so bad thanks for listening, i appreciate it more than i can say(leo sayer tunage) when i first got diagnosed with ra
you look beautiful today kat i have missed ya gonna try and call ya soon i got behind too with alot of physical hurt, our diseases are not invisiable i hurt so very bad
LOL! I'd rather look sick than angry or annoyed all the time! The former is often taken personally by others - the latter generally isn't, and if it is then those people can shove it. ;)
My girlfriend's mother has fairly severe bipolar disorder. She's either beyond reason hyper or hysterically crying in a corner and yelling at everyone. It puts a lot of stress on the relationship with her husband and she refuses to see a doctor about it or get help in any way. Tough situation.
I used to be much like you described your girlfriend's mother. It's a horrible existence for those afflicted with the illness, as well as those who live/deal with those who are afflicted. I had no choice but to get help; I was tired of being out of control, and equally tired of alienating myself from everyone due to my behaviors. I still have bipolar episodes, but they are less extreme because of the help I sought out and applied to my life. No cure doesn't mean no help, nor no hope. :)
I can't imagine how hard it is to live through bipolar disorder, or a lot of those types of illnesses. I know my girlfriend's mom is still kind of in denial about it, she's only been like this since her mother died. But I do have to say, with all you've lived through Kat you are one brave person.
A label is "a short word or phrase descriptive of a person, group, intellectual movement, etc."
The problem with labelling people is it is a judgement of them. Judgement seem so final, so permanent. Judgement tends to be prejudgement, since the facts in the case of who someone is can not be conclusive, or perhaps even knowable.
On a lighter note I couldn't resist the following.
Nurse: "Doctor the Invisible Man is here to see you."
It's not about labeling the person, but the conditions. I have Bipolar Disorder, but I am not the BP. I have Fibromyalgia with Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficit Syndrome, but I am not the FMS/CFIDS. Of course these conditions (labels) do make up a *part* of me, but they are not *who* I am.
If people choose to judge me because of these parts of me, so be it. That is their problem (ignorance), not mine. :)
I'm so glad I could bring a smile to your face with an old chestnut of a joke such as that. Laughter is not just the best medicine, sometimes I think it's the only medicine.
Hiya cloud! I didn't name you because, well, I just don't do that kinda thing without getting permission from the person first. It's just the "cool" thing to do. ;)
But yes, you inspired me to post this. Actually, I've been intending on doing more of the "awareness" stuff, but I tend to get distracted by the fly on the wall four blocks away, and that leads to procrastination. LOL
Speaking of distractions, hope to catch you on Stickam again soon! ;p
Well done. I know this pain all too well. It's so hard to get others to see and understand. But then that's why some of us, like you, are trying to educate others. I'm glad I subscribed.
thewildeman2, I take it you live with this kind of pain, as well?
I know I'll never get through to everyone, but I have had people tell me that I've helped them to see the reality of "Invisible Diseases" more than they had before, be they mental or physical illnesses. This can help those of us who live with them, as it's therapeutic to know we are understood. Not the insult of pity, but simply understanding.
I just subbed back.... I love communicating with REAL people! :)
Thank you. Yes, we do live with this pain as well. For me, my wife and son. It's added a new level of frustration sometimes when people around you just don't "get it". But that's why we are here. Every time one more person understands, that's one more person we can feel better about with the light of knowledge.
some people are overtly opposed to labels b.c they dont want negative connotations which come with sadi labels.. but i say if it walks liek a duck and quacks like a duck.. then its probably a duck..
Yes, x71, I fully understand the negative connotations that come with labels, especially the stigmas that are too often attached to them. My hope is to help some people look past the stigmas and see what lies beneath it all, whether they live with the labels themselves or know others who do. :)
Thanks, Lapis! This vid was recorded on one of my much better days. That and makeup really help to hide the sickly appearance. LOL
I don't wish this on anyone, but at the same time if everyone experienced this kind of life for even just one month, it'd be understood as well as accepted as *real* so much more.
But no, as tempting as it can be sometimes, I'd not have anyone take up the burden. All I can do is work on being less of a burden to others, which is what I'm doing. :)
Thank you, Bing. Cognition loss (but one nasty common symptom of fibromyalgia) really gets in the way of explaining anything coherently, so it's beyond encouraging to receive feedback letting me know I got my point across at least somewhat. ;)
You made total sense to me, sometimes we require labels to identify the otherwise unidentifiable. I'm sure your a voice that others can directly relate to as you speak from honest experiance.
I wish that no one needed to experience things like this.... but that would be an ideal world, a Utopia, and unfortunately that doesn't exist and doubtfully ever will so long as our species is in existence. ;)
You're absolutely correct, Mark! One should not be *defined* by labels; only helped by them. I intended on stating just that in this video, but there was so much on my mind and there are simply SO many details RE: living with Invisible Diseases to be addressed in one video; hence the "series" probability. I'll remind myself to make that clear in my next post. ;)
Yeah, I do tend to take a while before finally getting to my subjects.... even when I'm not interrupted by telemarketers. LOL
Are you sure you're sick? You smoke cigarettes, maybe you're just super toxic. My aunt was told she had lyme disease for years, and was then diagnosed with MS. She quit smoking and began to take care of herself in ernest and was magically cured...
I'm not going to justify your asinine question, nor your assertion to "magical" cures, with explanations.
I'm sorry you don't understand chronic illness, much less approaches to treatment (did you stop to think that perhaps I'm working toward taking "earnest" care of myself one step at a time, or whether I'm in the process of quitting smoking, etc.?), relapses/remissions, reduction in symptoms, *misdiagnoses* of Lyme, MS, etc., ad nauseum.
Lighten up, I'm a new subscriber, I haven't watched you backvids- I didn't know that there's a minimum requirement for the thought that goes in to a comment. I will keep that in mind. I admit, my curiosity was idle, I was just wondering if you had done all you could and ruled out everything BUT illness. Aunt Sara found that the symptoms she had had for decades faded to nothing when she took care of her body... that's all I was sayin'!
Jess, let me clarify RE: putting thought into comments.
It hurts when asked, "Are you sure you're sick?" One might as well say, "You're imagining this. It's not real." (etc.) That may not be what you meant, but that's how it *feels* to the recipient.
By all means, please feel free to share your experiences, and to ask what I do to treat these conditions. I post these videos to help others learn about Invisible Diseases, and help those who live with them feel less alone. :)
Yes, we've ruled out everything BUT illness, for years. It's been draining and beyond frustrating.
I addressed enough here to not need backvids. One example: just over 20 seconds into this vid I said it's gone on all my life.
I also addressed the importance of lifestyle changes, which I'm doing. I've just been admitted into a pain managmement center. Yesterday was my 2nd visit.
I'll be posting vids about what we're doing there, quite soon. Approaches to obtain relief ARE important. :)
RE: your aunt.... Did they only go by physical exams and symptoms, or did she have an MRI and/or a spinal tap?
Multiple Sclerosis means, literally, multiple scars. It's an autoimmune disease; one's immune system attacks one's own body. With MS, the protective sheath on nerves are attacked and scarred.
MS cannot be definitely diagnosed without finding the scars on the nerves. She could have been misdiagnosed.
I do not know you, but I happened to notice your comment and I can't help myself, I really want to respond. I hope your comment is said in genuine ignorance. Let me just say, Kat is obviously a very intelligent woman and she of course is fully capable of knowing whether or not she is truly ill! My goodness, think about what you said..she lives with this, she deals with it on a daily basis. Please try to see how such a comment can TRULY come across as profoundly rude and insulting.
:) Certainly! "Super Toxic" is a highly technical, medical term which is used by professionals to describe an individual who is crammed with all kinds of crap that shouldn't be in their bodies.
As you can see I like, totally know what I'm talking about. Totally.
Lady Kat! I knew you were a keeper when I first encountered you! :) Yes, labels help us effectively communicate. I want to strongly encourage you to continue with your idea for a series on this subject, which, unfortunately, you do know so well. Those who are personally affected are the ones with the strongest voice. People need to be made aware of the invisible diseases. Thank you for educating the public and thank you for being you! Your attitude is awesome and you, girl, are a treasure! :)
Thank you for the encouragement and support, Michelle. You are indeed a keeper.... a compassionate, true friend who doesn't judge nor insult others with pity but instead offers understanding and Spoon Donations! <3
I will definitely continue with this "series" as time, energy, etc., allot. ;)
OH, did I get to tell you that I'm now in a pain management center, and working on a LOT of changes at home on top of getting some amazing treatment from the wonderful docs there? YAY, finally!!!
Currently we're working on a total rehaul RE: diet, supplements, and (yes! lol) quitting smoking, as well as other approaches to bring down the systemic inflammation. I'm receiving cold laser treatment (3w's-erchonia-com/default.asp ?contentID=106) which helps a lot, and will be having physical, massage, and water therapy, amongst who knows what other treatment methods. Lyrica will be prescribed my next visit. Pain pills still a minimum, at least for now. :)
I commend you on your bravery to touch on these issues, especially online. I assume you're responding to the general idea against stigmatizing mental illness with labels? An interesting take on the situation.
It does take some courage *because* of the stigmas. My hope is to help others understand what Invisible Diseases are (physical and mental both) as well as help others with chronic illness of any type feel less alone.
It's not only mental illness that is stigmatized; nearly all Invisible Diseases are. With all of the "awareness movements" abound, it amazes me that they still exist.
BTW, I also have physical chronic illness, which plagues me more than the bipolar does.
Hey Kat,
Psychosomatic VS psychological, good question. What do you think would happen if labels did not exist?
I like your thoughts though, they are very intelligently constructed and very informed, i wonder if you might like to look up some peer reviewed articles... I think someone such as yourself would find them to be very helpful in seeking an explanation for the various questions you pose in your youtube discussions :)
wrigka08 8 months ago
"I'm diagnosing you with (label needed), for which I am prescribing (label needed)."
lazyperfectionist1 1 year ago
i have bi-polar, but it can't be seen in the same way as a broken arm can.... so it's hard 2 get people 2 understand and allow. At least a 'label' allows some form of help! I totally know what you're saying. Thanx 4 highlighting this.
Thank heaven that I was diagnosed after 10 years of hell.
kerrileewolf 1 year ago
Wow I loved this video, such unique perspective... :)
DollyAndTheBlackDog 2 years ago
excellent work mami! are you a therapist or just like me a student and a well informed consumer.
excellent excellent - thanks thanks thanks a million! I have never really heard it explained quite this way! amazing. I live w/schizoaffective disorder and I am learning more about bipolar disorder as my best friend who recently came out to me about his disorder. so I figure if I learn more about it I can help him by understanding a lil more about what he is going through and be a better friend.
soymiguelalejandro23 2 years ago
Oh Kat, thank you so much for making this wonderful video. The very intelligent way that you have explained what it is like and the need for labeling for those with invisible illnesses is so clear and precise. I wish that many of the friends that I lost when I got sick had seen this video. Having to live daily with Fibro, CFS, depression and all the other symtoms are hard enough without support and understanding. Your video was so informative and well made...thank you!
ll1816 3 years ago
Hello Kat :) I was looking for 'The Spoon Theory' and found your video (I have Spina Bifida and it helped me so much when I found it about a year ago). My mum had ME and I think if YOU feel ill then weather it's psychosomatic or not really doesn't come into it. Feeling like **** is still a fact!
Oh, yes and you have a new subscriber. Take care ;-)
TheMouthonWheels 3 years ago
Very true, but I do still intend on addressing the differences between physiological and psychosomatic one of these days, because there is a lot of confusion about the two; especially the latter. This really only came up because of this confusion, the most common of course being "all in your head".... and as the discussion turned to a heated debate, "psychosomatic" was (wrongly) used left and right; quite insultingly, at that. One of those "you had to be there" things. ;)
Subbed back atcha! :)
Katatawnic 3 years ago
i suffer chronic fatigue
NaomiKnight 3 years ago
Truly stunning lady. Beautiful.
UcanbeGOD 3 years ago 3
I saw it instantly, because I thought
"She does the same things I do... hmmm.."
And I were right and I KNOW what you say, when you say you suffer more intense. I haven't been able to put words to explain it before. Those will work just fine, so hope I can barrow them.
Keep it up!
I needed this today. You know..
the little (and huge) reminders that SOMEONE really REALLY understands you, and get how messed up it is, and how conflicting it is to look well and be on the green mile, so to say...
TheBaByG 3 years ago
You can borrow the words any time, that's why I put them out there - explaining and understanding ;)
See? THIS is why I refuse to quit when the trolls start getting to me (and actually just yesterday I wanted to quit, but the video and its comment thread on which we "met" reminded me why I post these videos).... we all need understanding, support, and just perhaps a smile from another person.
"On the green mile".... can I borrow that analogy? I love it! :)
~~ Kat ~~
Katatawnic 3 years ago
Sure, barrow away!
=)
I have planned to make some more vids about these things,
and now I think I got the inspiration I needed to continue my "life" series.
I think we understand eachother.
Both ways.
And that's very sad (Cuz you don't really want anyone to understand, as that means they have been thru it themselves), and (In a selfish and needed way) very good too.
TheBaByG 3 years ago
Oh yes, I sooo know what you mean RE: understanding, and how it's "good" and "bad" and why!
Katatawnic 3 years ago
i know you understand and feel it too thankx for being on utube i dont feel so very much alone in my pain, which you and i know is real ,u have inspired me to keep going, and not just say fuck it and quit life, the pain is killing me literally (i cant type to well today ,it hurts so so bad thanks for listening, i appreciate it more than i can say(leo sayer tunage) when i first got diagnosed with ra
MyPinkRainbow 3 years ago
you look beautiful today kat i have missed ya gonna try and call ya soon i got behind too with alot of physical hurt, our diseases are not invisiable i hurt so very bad
MyPinkRainbow 3 years ago
I can tell there's something bothering you.
You deal with it very well, but the discomfort
and frustration show if someone looks closely enough.
If you hadn't told me I'd assume you were just angry or annoyed about something.
tomken8dy 3 years ago
LOL! I'd rather look sick than angry or annoyed all the time! The former is often taken personally by others - the latter generally isn't, and if it is then those people can shove it. ;)
Katatawnic 3 years ago
I like your attitude but remind me never to make you angry... :-)
tomken8dy 3 years ago
*barely above a whisper*
Don't make me angry....
You wouldn't like me when I'm angry. ;p
Katatawnic 3 years ago
I was going to type that!!
GREAT Bill Bixby Hulk line. :-)
And it's,
"Please don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
One of the best lines of all time.
tomken8dy 3 years ago
My girlfriend's mother has fairly severe bipolar disorder. She's either beyond reason hyper or hysterically crying in a corner and yelling at everyone. It puts a lot of stress on the relationship with her husband and she refuses to see a doctor about it or get help in any way. Tough situation.
andrewrberkshire 3 years ago
I used to be much like you described your girlfriend's mother. It's a horrible existence for those afflicted with the illness, as well as those who live/deal with those who are afflicted. I had no choice but to get help; I was tired of being out of control, and equally tired of alienating myself from everyone due to my behaviors. I still have bipolar episodes, but they are less extreme because of the help I sought out and applied to my life. No cure doesn't mean no help, nor no hope. :)
Katatawnic 3 years ago
I can't imagine how hard it is to live through bipolar disorder, or a lot of those types of illnesses. I know my girlfriend's mom is still kind of in denial about it, she's only been like this since her mother died. But I do have to say, with all you've lived through Kat you are one brave person.
andrewrberkshire 3 years ago 2
A label is "a short word or phrase descriptive of a person, group, intellectual movement, etc."
The problem with labelling people is it is a judgement of them. Judgement seem so final, so permanent. Judgement tends to be prejudgement, since the facts in the case of who someone is can not be conclusive, or perhaps even knowable.
On a lighter note I couldn't resist the following.
Nurse: "Doctor the Invisible Man is here to see you."
Doctor: "Tell him I can't see him right now."
noliketoregister 3 years ago
Hi, noliketoregister,
It's not about labeling the person, but the conditions. I have Bipolar Disorder, but I am not the BP. I have Fibromyalgia with Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficit Syndrome, but I am not the FMS/CFIDS. Of course these conditions (labels) do make up a *part* of me, but they are not *who* I am.
If people choose to judge me because of these parts of me, so be it. That is their problem (ignorance), not mine. :)
LOL @ the old, but still humorous, joke....
I can so relate!
Katatawnic 3 years ago
I'm so glad I could bring a smile to your face with an old chestnut of a joke such as that. Laughter is not just the best medicine, sometimes I think it's the only medicine.
noliketoregister 3 years ago 2
wow i'm glad i inspired you with this :D good video and its cloud12345 btw just in case it wasn't obvious enough :D
cloud1232006 3 years ago 2
Hiya cloud! I didn't name you because, well, I just don't do that kinda thing without getting permission from the person first. It's just the "cool" thing to do. ;)
But yes, you inspired me to post this. Actually, I've been intending on doing more of the "awareness" stuff, but I tend to get distracted by the fly on the wall four blocks away, and that leads to procrastination. LOL
Speaking of distractions, hope to catch you on Stickam again soon! ;p
Katatawnic 3 years ago
Well done. I know this pain all too well. It's so hard to get others to see and understand. But then that's why some of us, like you, are trying to educate others. I'm glad I subscribed.
thewildeman2 3 years ago 2
thewildeman2, I take it you live with this kind of pain, as well?
I know I'll never get through to everyone, but I have had people tell me that I've helped them to see the reality of "Invisible Diseases" more than they had before, be they mental or physical illnesses. This can help those of us who live with them, as it's therapeutic to know we are understood. Not the insult of pity, but simply understanding.
I just subbed back.... I love communicating with REAL people! :)
Katatawnic 3 years ago
Thank you. Yes, we do live with this pain as well. For me, my wife and son. It's added a new level of frustration sometimes when people around you just don't "get it". But that's why we are here. Every time one more person understands, that's one more person we can feel better about with the light of knowledge.
thewildeman2 3 years ago
some people are overtly opposed to labels b.c they dont want negative connotations which come with sadi labels.. but i say if it walks liek a duck and quacks like a duck.. then its probably a duck..
x71isnwor 3 years ago 2
QUACK!!! lol
Yes, x71, I fully understand the negative connotations that come with labels, especially the stigmas that are too often attached to them. My hope is to help some people look past the stigmas and see what lies beneath it all, whether they live with the labels themselves or know others who do. :)
Katatawnic 3 years ago
hi Kat! your right you always look
like your sparkling with good health
your definitely sparkling anyway..it
certainly hurts to have to imagine
your pain if only it could be shared
around..let other people take up the
burden for a while at least
lapislazuline 3 years ago 2
Thanks, Lapis! This vid was recorded on one of my much better days. That and makeup really help to hide the sickly appearance. LOL
I don't wish this on anyone, but at the same time if everyone experienced this kind of life for even just one month, it'd be understood as well as accepted as *real* so much more.
But no, as tempting as it can be sometimes, I'd not have anyone take up the burden. All I can do is work on being less of a burden to others, which is what I'm doing. :)
Katatawnic 3 years ago
Excellent explanation of why we sometimes need labels. 5/5
Bingolly1 3 years ago 2
Thank you, Bing. Cognition loss (but one nasty common symptom of fibromyalgia) really gets in the way of explaining anything coherently, so it's beyond encouraging to receive feedback letting me know I got my point across at least somewhat. ;)
Katatawnic 3 years ago
Just love and learn so much with your videos
DrfeelgoodEH 3 years ago 3
Thank you, Eddie. I'm sure you already know full well how much I value your opinion. :)
Keep on keepin' it real! <3
Katatawnic 3 years ago
You made total sense to me, sometimes we require labels to identify the otherwise unidentifiable. I'm sure your a voice that others can directly relate to as you speak from honest experiance.
Draklems 3 years ago 2
Hiya Drak, always great to hear from you! :)
I wish that no one needed to experience things like this.... but that would be an ideal world, a Utopia, and unfortunately that doesn't exist and doubtfully ever will so long as our species is in existence. ;)
Katatawnic 3 years ago
people are often so desperate to be heard that they rarely actually listen, or reach to understand someone else's point of view.
and labels inarguably serve a function, but that doesn't mean we need to define anyone, or any thing, by any one solitary characteristic.
and i love how it was more than half way through before you finally finished the sentence, "today's subject is-"...
contextualizing all of this ain't easy, is it? and telemarketers, on top of it all!
much respect! and rock on!
aDementedSon 3 years ago
You're absolutely correct, Mark! One should not be *defined* by labels; only helped by them. I intended on stating just that in this video, but there was so much on my mind and there are simply SO many details RE: living with Invisible Diseases to be addressed in one video; hence the "series" probability. I'll remind myself to make that clear in my next post. ;)
Yeah, I do tend to take a while before finally getting to my subjects.... even when I'm not interrupted by telemarketers. LOL
Katatawnic 3 years ago
Are you sure you're sick? You smoke cigarettes, maybe you're just super toxic. My aunt was told she had lyme disease for years, and was then diagnosed with MS. She quit smoking and began to take care of herself in ernest and was magically cured...
Jessiqua42 3 years ago
I'm not going to justify your asinine question, nor your assertion to "magical" cures, with explanations.
I'm sorry you don't understand chronic illness, much less approaches to treatment (did you stop to think that perhaps I'm working toward taking "earnest" care of myself one step at a time, or whether I'm in the process of quitting smoking, etc.?), relapses/remissions, reduction in symptoms, *misdiagnoses* of Lyme, MS, etc., ad nauseum.
Assumptions don't take much thought, do they?
Katatawnic 3 years ago
Lighten up, I'm a new subscriber, I haven't watched you backvids- I didn't know that there's a minimum requirement for the thought that goes in to a comment. I will keep that in mind. I admit, my curiosity was idle, I was just wondering if you had done all you could and ruled out everything BUT illness. Aunt Sara found that the symptoms she had had for decades faded to nothing when she took care of her body... that's all I was sayin'!
*Jess applies bandaids to cat scratches*
Jessiqua42 3 years ago
Jess, let me clarify RE: putting thought into comments.
It hurts when asked, "Are you sure you're sick?" One might as well say, "You're imagining this. It's not real." (etc.) That may not be what you meant, but that's how it *feels* to the recipient.
By all means, please feel free to share your experiences, and to ask what I do to treat these conditions. I post these videos to help others learn about Invisible Diseases, and help those who live with them feel less alone. :)
(con't)
Katatawnic 3 years ago
Yes, we've ruled out everything BUT illness, for years. It's been draining and beyond frustrating.
I addressed enough here to not need backvids. One example: just over 20 seconds into this vid I said it's gone on all my life.
I also addressed the importance of lifestyle changes, which I'm doing. I've just been admitted into a pain managmement center. Yesterday was my 2nd visit.
I'll be posting vids about what we're doing there, quite soon. Approaches to obtain relief ARE important. :)
Katatawnic 3 years ago
Sorry Jess, one more comment. LOL
RE: your aunt.... Did they only go by physical exams and symptoms, or did she have an MRI and/or a spinal tap?
Multiple Sclerosis means, literally, multiple scars. It's an autoimmune disease; one's immune system attacks one's own body. With MS, the protective sheath on nerves are attacked and scarred.
MS cannot be definitely diagnosed without finding the scars on the nerves. She could have been misdiagnosed.
Feel free to share, I'm very interested.
Katatawnic 3 years ago
Jessiqua,
I do not know you, but I happened to notice your comment and I can't help myself, I really want to respond. I hope your comment is said in genuine ignorance. Let me just say, Kat is obviously a very intelligent woman and she of course is fully capable of knowing whether or not she is truly ill! My goodness, think about what you said..she lives with this, she deals with it on a daily basis. Please try to see how such a comment can TRULY come across as profoundly rude and insulting.
michelle2chat 3 years ago 2
Thank you, Michelle. 'Nuff said. <333
Katatawnic 3 years ago
Please share the definition of "super toxic".
jumblebox 3 years ago
Sounds like something that needs kryptonite. ;)
Katatawnic 3 years ago
:) Certainly! "Super Toxic" is a highly technical, medical term which is used by professionals to describe an individual who is crammed with all kinds of crap that shouldn't be in their bodies.
As you can see I like, totally know what I'm talking about. Totally.
Jessiqua42 3 years ago
Lady Kat! I knew you were a keeper when I first encountered you! :) Yes, labels help us effectively communicate. I want to strongly encourage you to continue with your idea for a series on this subject, which, unfortunately, you do know so well. Those who are personally affected are the ones with the strongest voice. People need to be made aware of the invisible diseases. Thank you for educating the public and thank you for being you! Your attitude is awesome and you, girl, are a treasure! :)
michelle2chat 3 years ago
Thank you for the encouragement and support, Michelle. You are indeed a keeper.... a compassionate, true friend who doesn't judge nor insult others with pity but instead offers understanding and Spoon Donations! <3
I will definitely continue with this "series" as time, energy, etc., allot. ;)
OH, did I get to tell you that I'm now in a pain management center, and working on a LOT of changes at home on top of getting some amazing treatment from the wonderful docs there? YAY, finally!!!
Katatawnic 3 years ago
I am SO GLAD to hear that! :) Great news!
michelle2chat 3 years ago
Great news, indeed, Michelle! :)
Currently we're working on a total rehaul RE: diet, supplements, and (yes! lol) quitting smoking, as well as other approaches to bring down the systemic inflammation. I'm receiving cold laser treatment (3w's-erchonia-com/default.asp ?contentID=106) which helps a lot, and will be having physical, massage, and water therapy, amongst who knows what other treatment methods. Lyrica will be prescribed my next visit. Pain pills still a minimum, at least for now. :)
Katatawnic 3 years ago
I commend you on your bravery to touch on these issues, especially online. I assume you're responding to the general idea against stigmatizing mental illness with labels? An interesting take on the situation.
cehbeach 3 years ago
It does take some courage *because* of the stigmas. My hope is to help others understand what Invisible Diseases are (physical and mental both) as well as help others with chronic illness of any type feel less alone.
It's not only mental illness that is stigmatized; nearly all Invisible Diseases are. With all of the "awareness movements" abound, it amazes me that they still exist.
BTW, I also have physical chronic illness, which plagues me more than the bipolar does.
Screw stigmas! ;)
Katatawnic 3 years ago