The world of invisible illness is a lonely place where "you look fine" becomes a painful refrain from well-meaning friends and family who can't see the war raging inside your body. For six years, I've navigated life with rheumatoid arthritis—an autoimmune disease where my body attacks my joints, causing inflammation, pain, and progressive damage from my fingers to my hips.
This deeply personal episode peels back the curtain on what it's truly like living with chronic pain that others can't see. I share my diagnosis story, the countless medications and supplements that fill my daily routine, and how I've had to completely reimagine my identity. From the steroid shots that provide temporary relief to the heated blankets that have become my constant companions, I walk you through the practical realities of managing an autoimmune disease.
But beyond the physical challenges lies a profound psychological journey. I've discovered what I call the "migraine hack"—how people readily show empathy for conditions they understand while dismissing autoimmune flares with a casual "can't you just suck it up?" I share the valuable Column A, B, C exercise from the Mayo Clinic that's helping me accept my new reality: Column A represents who I was before, Column C reflects my worst days, and Column B is the new identity I'm creating between those extremes.
Whether you're battling an invisible illness yourself or love someone who is, this conversation offers both practical insights and emotional validation. For those suffering, you're not alone in this struggle. For those supporting someone with chronic illness, understanding is the greatest gift you can offer. Because when someone says they're in pain, believing them costs nothing—but dismissing their experience costs them everything.
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