Sick Humor: The top ten worst suggestions commonly given to someone with a chronic illness
Sometimes you just gotta have a sense of humor!
The top ten worst suggestions commonly given to someone with a chronic illness:
1)Have you tried holistic options? (many. I’ll bring it back up with my doctor on my next visit, thanks.)
2) Could it be your stress? (My opinion is, it is my illness. I’ll bring it up with my doctor though, thanks.)
3) Could it have to do with the altitude? (I’ll bring it up with my doctor…thanks.)
4) I read in {insert any generic magazine here} about a new medication. Have you heard about it? (I was on it when it came out 17 years ago. but I’ll bring it up with my doctor. thank you.)
5) Have you thought about being in a trial study? (I’ll ask my doctor. thanks?)
6) WOW. If I were you, I don’t know what I would do. I might just kill myself. (Thanks?)
7) Have they found what is causing the problem? (no. my doctor is an idiot. I’ll remind him, thanks!) 
Have you tried hypnosis? (I’m still sick, but when the phone rings I bark like a dog.)
9) Have you googled your illness? (….no! thanks!)
10 Have you ever thought you were getting sick because you haven’t wrapped your house in aluminum foil because, you know, the aliens have been bugging our houses for the past 30 years and in some cases, making people really sick. I read on…..gee I lost the web site. but it’s true! I heard it from Sally’s cousin’s sister-in- law. And then every time you use deodorant you would think you would be warding off these bugging rays, but it still makes it worse, so you are not being pro-active to your health by wearing that deodorant. I can’t believe you! If you wanted to get better you would stop wearing deodorant..(voice gets fainter and fainter the further you just walk away.) THANKS!!!!!!!!!!
Article written by Amy-Beth Maran , © 2007 butyoudontlooksick.com
Comments (220)
My favorites are “Ugh are you always sick?”, “whatever, you never feel good” and I had a boss that told me, “If you keep a positive attitude and pray to God your Crohn’s Disease will stop flaring”
I get the, “Well if you lost weight you wouldn’t ache so much.” I have fibromyalgia.
I had a boss tell me that she “didn’t want me to use my illness as a crutch.” Thanks. I’ll tell my doctor.
“Try going to bed earlier, then you’ll get some sleep.” Insomnia from Bipolar disorder. Because really, lying awake in bed for eight hours trying to sleep and failing is FUN!
“Are you sure you’re not imagining it?” And that was my mother. I’m currently labeled as having fibromyalgia, but have been told “huh, I’ve never seen this before….” from countless doctors, heard MS for a while, and am now being tested for Celiac Disease.
Was a Kindergarten teacher struggling with the fatigue of undiagnosed Lupus when I had my director tell me, “maybe if you had a more positive attitude, you’d feel better.” Great. I’ll remember that when I’m too tired to brush my teeth at night and can’t manage to wall down the hall to bed.
The one we used to get all the time when my hubby was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia: Have you tried vitamins?
omg my doctor is an idiot classic love it..thanks for the humor!
wow, all of these comments have really been helpful and supportive for me!!
I have Systemic Lupus, Fibro, Hypothyroid, a Seizure Disorder, Depression from the meds, and other complications from it all. People just don’t get it. Yeah, some do try to be truly sympathetic, but most days I JUST CAN’T DO IT. So back off! No, I’m not being lazy, or using these diagnoses as an excuse to get out of cleaning or cooking for myself! Why would I do that? My family asks me to honestly say how i feel, so i tell them, then they get upset because they say THEY can’t deal with the stress of my illnesses and how my answers make them feel, etc etc.
So i usually just say i’m doing “ok”, and then they say “no, how are you really doing?” You expect me to answer that after how you acted last time?
I just switched to some new Dr’s, and i’m hoping these ones are better than the last. The last one stuck me in a Psychiatric hospital lock-down facility, because she mis-managed my seizure meds and that caused serious depression, etc, and it all went downhill from there. I never had any problems with depression before I started seeing her and she put me on these meds, which didn’t help anyways. ARGH!!!!!
ok. Done venting. Sorry for that!! Wish you all soft beds and more “spoons”
Glad to read I am not the only one that gets these stupid, STUPID questions. My particular favorite is – “have you ever thought of taking a multi vitamin???” that’s even funnier than “how come you are always sick?” (well because I enjoy not being able to live my life the fullest you idiot!!!)………..
My favorite from a relative: Have you tried getting an exorcism?
…
I have Bipolar 1. I’ll get right on that.
Also: Have you tried meditation?
Sure, I’ll try that once I stop being manic so I can hold still.
Your just too fat. Even as a guy I got this. You need to exercise more (I WAS training with the Navy and working fill time as a cart pusher at Wal-Mart in Texas) and maybe try Atkins. Yea, it’s all those nasty carbs. That will make you feel better too! And get rid of your asthma and cronic pain. Turns out Cushing’s doesn’t care about carbs or the Navy either…
@ Melina from June 15th-(or should I just say, “HI MOM”? )and her “Two Cents”.:
No, Wrong! Being called Lazy is NOT worse than These diseases are. The Physical Pain Is far worse. Even the ‘acting’ & SeemingFINE part is worse as It causes more pain. How can you have “vague” symptoms? My RA isnt vague. The Pain isn’t vague, nor the exaustion. The pain of your ‘well-meaning’ remarks to Just DO SOMETHING when steroids, etc killed my thyroid-and i gained 100 lb.s, sure, that hurt- a bit. But not for a MOMENT do I believe that these comments are ‘well meaning” or ‘NOT “Judgmental” as you claim – and admit you make them yourself! ?
Everyone here who is Truly ill knows in their heart that they ARE being judged when folks like you (with your vague symptoms) tell us to Just DO SOmething about ourselves. You are saying: “You make me uncomfortable-get better or go away.” Or, “I am superior”; I have this right to Advise/instruct/chastise You”.
People already understand Illness w/age.. Age is visible and the infirmities that come with it understood. But this is for Invisible Diseases. SO, Assume we don’t want your judgement. Please. Well-meant or not. ‘JUST MY TWO CENTS’
I think one of the best I heard was from a rather religious friend who basically implied that if I embraced God, the congenital condition I have had all my life, but only got properly diagnosed with last year, would disappear. Is it possible, then, for a belief in religion to change your DNA sequence? I have congenital hyperinsulinaemia – it isn’t going to go away. I have finally been referred to an endocrinologist, but apparently he doesn’t believe my condition exists – should be interesting, lol!
I was in the ER when a pretty little nurse said, “I think what you need is some yoga and some Cymbolta!” Gee, thanks. I wanted to slap her pretty little face! LOL
The one I got from my 18 year old niece is “Ohhh come on and buck up already-you know you would feel better if you just got got your LAZY a** out more” My response to her was “hmmm, I should try that, just as soon as you have the flu, with a fever and hurt all over, I’ll give you a call-yes, that’s a great idea I will go then! ThanKs! What would you like to go do then?
Another one is: Why don’t you want to go, Now what hurts??????????”
Earlier tonight a neighbor informed me that she had a bad back, andturned it over to God, and He cured her! That I should do the same thing. I had all the illnesses before I was baptized a while back, they didn’t go away as they probably weren’t imaginary, but what about injuries? Especially my most recent?? Its all there, its all real, on tests and x-rays! My husband used to say “Sue’s got another illness!!!” Funny. Hah. Forgot to laugh.
I get the ‘exercise will help you feel better’, ‘a change of scenery would do you good, you should get out more’, etc etc. R I G H T.
I have Fibro. My Rhematologist told me I am a poster child for Fibro. That one I actually Liked!
Another thing is all these friggin’ meds… all they did was give me more symptoms, wich then begot more med prescriptions… on and on. I finally said, NO. I stopped taking all of them except the main one for pain (Tramadol) and a muscle relaxer sometimes. I feel better knowing I am not experiencing side effects from all kinds of meds, and not wondering what damage it will show they have done in 20 years.
I do feel guilty that I don’t have energy or motivation to get out in the 95 degree heat and humidity to get that exercise, or even to make the jewelry I want to make to sell, when my hands hurt.
Sigh. One day at a time.
Thanks for letting me rant,
Desba
My biggest pet peeve is my mother – a registered nurse who should know better. She hates her job and constantly tells me, “I wish I could stay home all day.” Yes, Mother, I’m thrilled to be 28 years old and crippled to the point that I can’t leave the house without help. And then she complains how unsympathetic I am.
btw: I don’t shun the word “crippled” – it’s an actual English word, and it’s very descriptive, and I’m darn well going to use it if I want! Language is powerful and making up new words because others have hijacked the original ones, weighing them down with horrible layers of accusation and negativity, is a concession we shouldn’t have to make. We need to take back our words.
I love my sister’s eternal comment you jest need to give yourself a kick in the ***. Yea, if I had a good day and could reach it. LOL