My NOT-SO Common Illness and a Brithday - I wish I was an Encyclopedia!!!
By theSids
@thesids (22180)
Bhubaneswar, India
July 16, 2012 12:56am CST
hi friends and lotters
Yesterday, it was the first birthday of my friend's firstborn and I was invited. I couldnt go as you know, right now, my ulcerative colitis is on the aggression. So when I told about this to my friend - he couldnt understand what this illness is all about as i too havent found anyone known personally to have this illness - doctors say it is somewhat rare to get infected with this illness at my age (I am 37 now, was in my 20s when it all started), but I see more people of my age when I am at the hospital at Hyderabad (sorry, I went overboard here as this is not what I want to discusss)
Now, I had to open the wiki page and read out most of it to make him (my friend) have an idea of what the illness is about, and I am sure he understood nothing of it (or at least believed nothing of that).... because he finally said - oh an upset stomach, why dont you take xxxx... two tablets would make you feel good and you can come and have great food
Life would have been simpler if I had said - oh, I have had an heart attack and I am on a restricted diet or even I had a kidney failure and so I cannot come to you or even Cancer or AIDS
Some ailments are quite easily understood and people tend to understand you better when you simply say the names.... for all others, you have to be a doctor or at least a good encyclopedia
Did you get into a situation where you had to explain what the illness is all about and still felt that this was somewhat better understood?
Have a Great Week Ahead
Cheers,
theSids,
Yesterday, it was the first birthday of my friend's firstborn and I was invited. I couldnt go as you know, right now, my ulcerative colitis is on the aggression. So when I told about this to my friend - he couldnt understand what this illness is all about as i too havent found anyone known personally to have this illness - doctors say it is somewhat rare to get infected with this illness at my age (I am 37 now, was in my 20s when it all started), but I see more people of my age when I am at the hospital at Hyderabad (sorry, I went overboard here as this is not what I want to discusss)
Now, I had to open the wiki page and read out most of it to make him (my friend) have an idea of what the illness is about, and I am sure he understood nothing of it (or at least believed nothing of that).... because he finally said - oh an upset stomach, why dont you take xxxx... two tablets would make you feel good and you can come and have great food
Life would have been simpler if I had said - oh, I have had an heart attack and I am on a restricted diet or even I had a kidney failure and so I cannot come to you or even Cancer or AIDS
Some ailments are quite easily understood and people tend to understand you better when you simply say the names.... for all others, you have to be a doctor or at least a good encyclopedia
Did you get into a situation where you had to explain what the illness is all about and still felt that this was somewhat better understood?
Have a Great Week Ahead
Cheers,
theSids,6 people like this
18 responses
@viji_v2 (727)
• India
17 Jul 12
Hi sid, Hope now you are taking medicines for the new condition and if you need any help I am awaiting always to do for you for my friend.
Most times it happens to me and you know well it is my profession to explain the condition to the people. I used to do in simple terms and funny some people wont get convinced with my words. Only if they feel it or just saw it they will understand what our words are to be.
I would give you a simple advice as like having some work or some other condition like injury is enough to explain to such persons instead of saying a big big condition (which I don't want you to get at any time in your life)/
Take care.
2 people like this
@viju0410 (2286)
• India
16 Jul 12
Hi sid
These days people often understand the lifestyle diseases like Stress, hypertension, obesity or cancer as you said and thus ask you for explanation. Even after explanation they give you a remedy for an ordinary stomach upset… how silly!
I haven’t faced such a situation but when I had some low BP issues, I used to get a lot of advice free of cost from friends and some even suggested no need to see a doctor...
take good care and btw, how's the treatment for stone? Does the pain still continue? Hope u r in touch with Dr.Viji..
These days people often understand the lifestyle diseases like Stress, hypertension, obesity or cancer as you said and thus ask you for explanation. Even after explanation they give you a remedy for an ordinary stomach upset… how silly!
I haven’t faced such a situation but when I had some low BP issues, I used to get a lot of advice free of cost from friends and some even suggested no need to see a doctor...
take good care and btw, how's the treatment for stone? Does the pain still continue? Hope u r in touch with Dr.Viji..1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
16 Jul 12
Hi viju
At least, I never enquire too deeply and almost never have recommended any medicines for anyone, as if I start doing that what would the doctors do
But yes, there was one dear lotter friend on whose discussion I had mentioned a medicine as I too had used the same to stop internal bleeding and she was asking about homeopathy ones. So I did suggest her about researching and maybe adding it on her list.
And why do you have the Low BP? seems you are a bony figure like me as I normally find skinny weak people to have more likeliness and fondness for this one
At least, I never enquire too deeply and almost never have recommended any medicines for anyone, as if I start doing that what would the doctors do
But yes, there was one dear lotter friend on whose discussion I had mentioned a medicine as I too had used the same to stop internal bleeding and she was asking about homeopathy ones. So I did suggest her about researching and maybe adding it on her list.
And why do you have the Low BP? seems you are a bony figure like me as I normally find skinny weak people to have more likeliness and fondness for this one1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
16 Jul 12
Doc's medicine is still on, 4 days more to go before I go for the Ultrasound and hope that the results are great. Unfortunately, I have not been in touch with her since her prescription. I asked her a lot of questions (and that was responded no doubt, but then I still had many more to ask... so thought to give the doc some peace...
)
You know I have always a bunch of my-type questions for anyone who can help
)
You know I have always a bunch of my-type questions for anyone who can help
1 person likes this
@viju0410 (2286)
• India
16 Jul 12
Hi sid
yeah! let's leave some of the job to Doctors too.
Exactly i am very thin and bony like you, in fact my doctor is too scared to even hold my pulse ( might be thinking it will break easily)
Oh.good, do share with me the ultrasound report, pls. And when you ask the bunch of questions, i/we know you are on the right track.
yeah! let's leave some of the job to Doctors too.
Exactly i am very thin and bony like you, in fact my doctor is too scared to even hold my pulse ( might be thinking it will break easily)
Oh.good, do share with me the ultrasound report, pls. And when you ask the bunch of questions, i/we know you are on the right track.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
16 Jul 12
(crying) Oh Bhai don't kid about having a heart condition. I would miss my beloved Bhai. I lost my dad suddenly by heart attack. I would hate to lose you too that way. I'm so sorry you are so ill. And you have the added stress of friends who don't understand. I don't understand it fully . All I know when you are in pain, I hurt. I hope against hope that you are just busy when I don't hear from you. I hope you feel better real soon. So please don;t kid about other illnesses I can't take it.
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
16 Jul 12
Hi behen
Ah, no dear. it is not that I have any of those dreadful ailments. It is just that people understand much about those ailments - if you say you have say heart problems, they would serve you food which is less fatty, similarly if you say you have common cold, they would serve you with hot tea or coffee and even will not care to ask about the details and other issues related with the illness...
Ah, no dear. it is not that I have any of those dreadful ailments. It is just that people understand much about those ailments - if you say you have say heart problems, they would serve you food which is less fatty, similarly if you say you have common cold, they would serve you with hot tea or coffee and even will not care to ask about the details and other issues related with the illness...2 people like this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
16 Jul 12
I know it would be easier but it still scares me. I have waited this long to have a loving Bhai , I am not ready to lose you yet.Are you feeling any better? I hope so.
1 person likes this
@shibham (16977)
• India
16 Jul 12
mamu
You are right, it is really hard to make others understood about our diseases or some certain situations. But to hope to have something familiar (disease or etc.) is an ordinary idea. Better you can collect some articles on that disease to show others.
Have a nice time.
You are right, it is really hard to make others understood about our diseases or some certain situations. But to hope to have something familiar (disease or etc.) is an ordinary idea. Better you can collect some articles on that disease to show others.
Have a nice time.
On Telephone?
@mtrguanlao (5522)
• Philippines
16 Jul 12
Hi buddy! How are you feeling now?
Sometime before,I felt tired of telling new acquaintances or even friends about my diet 'cause they all are wondering why I can't eat this and that. Well,at first,it was very frustrating 'cause I feel they pity me. I know they know how much I crave for caked and ice cream before but I can't eat them. But then,I got used to my diet and I feel healthy,hehe! And I must follow that diet because I am thinking of my love ones. I'm doing that not just for myself but for my family. So it went well and I'm happy I got cured.
God is good!
Since my illness is common,didn't had the hard time explaining it to them,lol! And some are even eager to know about my diet and wanted to follow it too,hehe!
Take care buddy!
Sometime before,I felt tired of telling new acquaintances or even friends about my diet 'cause they all are wondering why I can't eat this and that. Well,at first,it was very frustrating 'cause I feel they pity me. I know they know how much I crave for caked and ice cream before but I can't eat them. But then,I got used to my diet and I feel healthy,hehe! And I must follow that diet because I am thinking of my love ones. I'm doing that not just for myself but for my family. So it went well and I'm happy I got cured.God is good!
Since my illness is common,didn't had the hard time explaining it to them,lol! And some are even eager to know about my diet and wanted to follow it too,hehe!
Take care buddy!1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
16 Jul 12
hi mtr
If the friend had pitied me, I would have understood but this guy he prescribed me his own set of medicines and asked me to come over... he still doesnt seem to be aware that I am food fanatic and can go
So how did you manage to tell them all? It must have been a tough task
If the friend had pitied me, I would have understood but this guy he prescribed me his own set of medicines and asked me to come over... he still doesnt seem to be aware that I am food fanatic and can go
So how did you manage to tell them all? It must have been a tough task2 people like this
@mtrguanlao (5522)
• Philippines
17 Jul 12
Hi buddy!
Well,all of them are so eager to know my diet as they wanted to learn about it since my illness is common and they wanted to know how to avoid such. Their eagerness and willingness to listen somehow motivated me to tell it again and again,lol!
Take care buddy!
Well,all of them are so eager to know my diet as they wanted to learn about it since my illness is common and they wanted to know how to avoid such. Their eagerness and willingness to listen somehow motivated me to tell it again and again,lol!
Take care buddy!
@Inderjeetkaur (944)
• India
16 Jul 12
Hello thesids,
Around 10 years back in 2002, at the age of 20 I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I was stunned to find out that I was having a disease which I had heard elderly ladies suffer from. When I shared the name of my disease with my friends they looked at me with mixed expressions and asked me to explain my problem in simple words. When I gave them the hindi name of my problem they understood it at once and realized how critical my problem was. 10 years back this problem wasn't very common in young people, but now I guess it is equally common in elders as well as young people.
Hope you get well soon. Tell your friend that the party is due on him and you'll go for a party as soon as you'll recover.
Take care!
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
16 Jul 12
Hi Inderjeet
Well inderjeetji, I too have this rheumatoid arthritis. They say it is caused by the loss of blood - calcium deficit. I was bed ridden for 8 months due to this one and I do know how painful it is. Mention Arthritis to people, they understand, but rheumatoid... well, they asked me tonnes of questions again on this one... and heck, I was bed-ridden those days
Well inderjeetji, I too have this rheumatoid arthritis. They say it is caused by the loss of blood - calcium deficit. I was bed ridden for 8 months due to this one and I do know how painful it is. Mention Arthritis to people, they understand, but rheumatoid... well, they asked me tonnes of questions again on this one... and heck, I was bed-ridden those days1 person likes this
@Inderjeetkaur (944)
• India
16 Jul 12
Yes, I read about it in your profile page. Actually I want to talk to you about this. Can I PM you here or contact you on facebook, please?
@GardenGerty (169585)
• United States
17 Jul 12
I have not, but when my first husband had Lou Gehrig's Disease, aka ALS, or motor neuron disease, we had to explain a lot. I do not think you really understand some things until you have lived them or lived with someone who has them.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
16 Jul 12
omg, I certainly know exactly how you feel! When I had H-Pylori not only did i not understand why it was so disabling but no one else could understand either why i was in such a terrible state. a couple of days id be constipated , then id have diahria for days whether i took anything for any of it or not. i could hardly eat anything and when i did a few bites would make me feel id swallowed a whole big basket ball
when i would try to explain to people (even tho i knew little about it) that it was a stomache infection, they would wonder why i couldnt just take some antibiotic and get over it. the truth is, i took 2 very strong antibiotics for 3 months. one that nearly killed me from allergy. but this desease has been known to kill if its not gotten control of. it sounds like yours is similar and maybe even worse. i went from 152 lbs to 107 lbs
thats when i realised id never complain about fat again. Iam so sympathetic to your problems friend believe me. yes, at least now i have the cancer thing to say. lol. i got that right after. 
@jazel_juan (15745)
• Philippines
16 Jul 12
That is such a spoiler. I feel bad for you my friend as i know the feeling when you want to go but you cannot.
But i also know what you mean when you try to explain but that person cannot understand, it was like saying you have a cancer is much simpler huh? Well that also the same with my officemate her daughter has a sickness called "blank stare" she applied for a leave of absence and my boss could not understand what that is! lol then i said why not search for it, it turns out her daughter less than a year old was diagnosed with this disorder and this is like an epilepsy... her daughter is having seizures.
i hope you are fine now my dear friend.
@jazel_juan (15745)
• Philippines
16 Jul 12
This is the time where the internet is very useful, information is easily at hand.
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
21 Jul 12
hi sid,
some people respond differently depending on their knowledge of the disease. 
i once was told about a friend who is always irritable and angry at very little things. her daughter said, it is because she is suffering from high blood thats why. aint that funny? i am hypertensive as well, but i am not irritable. i call that - attitude. dont you?
i guess you just have to say it is no ordinary stomach ache then. but well, if he would not understand no matter how you explain it, there is nothing you can do.
ann
i once was told about a friend who is always irritable and angry at very little things. her daughter said, it is because she is suffering from high blood thats why. aint that funny? i am hypertensive as well, but i am not irritable. i call that - attitude. dont you?
i guess you just have to say it is no ordinary stomach ache then. but well, if he would not understand no matter how you explain it, there is nothing you can do.
ann
@thanks1961 (7033)
• India
16 Jul 12
It is like that - when it comes through a real name (for doctors) and some names of flowers or plants around us and we know popularly in infront of our home also may be a strange one, when the name appeared through its botanical name.
So if you say 'ulcerative colitis' to a person, I don't think he may think it is not of course, head ache or fever' and may be something else. For our common man, it is good enough to say ulcer or anything like, they will get a clue and idea of what it is and most of the people are not aware of the medical terms and even a simple head ache is our language and for doctors, they may be having their own versions.
Whatever it may be, I want you to come out as a normal person and free from all your illness as early as possible and I want to see thesid as Mr. ill-free Sidharth, as one of my good friend.
Regards
@akp100 (13647)
• India
16 Jul 12
Hi Bro..
It happens.. Honestly speaking even I am like your friend, and knows nothing about your problem, as even I heard first time when you told me about it.. and still knows nothing about it.. I am not that good in understanding some hard words in this subject.. So far never had any problem with me, but yes I have seen few cases like that when someone trying to explain others about his problem but he couldn't.
It happens.. Honestly speaking even I am like your friend, and knows nothing about your problem, as even I heard first time when you told me about it.. and still knows nothing about it.. I am not that good in understanding some hard words in this subject.. So far never had any problem with me, but yes I have seen few cases like that when someone trying to explain others about his problem but he couldn't. @thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
16 Jul 12
Hi bro
Well, I agree. Even I dont know much of many things or even little of many more things but then, I am sure you would believe the friend and put things in a different way... like maybe - okay so you are ill, if there is any special food we might have that on the menu for you or anything like that.
And I am sure you wouldnt say - okay, why dont you take xxxx... two tablets would make you feel good and you can come and have great food...
Well, I agree. Even I dont know much of many things or even little of many more things but then, I am sure you would believe the friend and put things in a different way... like maybe - okay so you are ill, if there is any special food we might have that on the menu for you or anything like that.
And I am sure you wouldnt say - okay, why dont you take xxxx... two tablets would make you feel good and you can come and have great food... 
and I would be more than happy
@Mashnn (4501)
•
16 Jul 12
Most people tend to assume that you are only sick if you have those major illness that you have mentioned above. I wish people would take time to understand the seriousness of every condition before commenting on anything or concluding about it. I hope you are feeling better now.
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
16 Jul 12
Same here dear mashnn
Not asking and recommending medicines would help me live a moment more in peace. I understand that this friend was trying to help me with some good intentions but then I was occupied with my worries and problems...
I am a little better today, tx for asking
Not asking and recommending medicines would help me live a moment more in peace. I understand that this friend was trying to help me with some good intentions but then I was occupied with my worries and problems...
I am a little better today, tx for asking
1 person likes this
@vidhyaprakash_2 (7116)
• India
16 Jul 12
sid, sad to hear about this, hope your friend will understand your situation. If i am in your position, i will try my best to explain about my issue to my friend, if he still don't understand about it, i will give up my teaching activity, it is really hard to explain some thing, even some doctors also have issues in explaining the health issues. Hope you will be recover soon and my wishes for it
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
16 Jul 12
Hi VP
Thanks but dear, at times I feel so bad trying to explain all that again and again to each friend who invites me. I think I should change my cell number or better go without any cell phone.... they talk about great food and that pains me more
Thanks but dear, at times I feel so bad trying to explain all that again and again to each friend who invites me. I think I should change my cell number or better go without any cell phone.... they talk about great food and that pains me more1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
20 Jul 12
Personally my friend, how I can relate with what you are going thru as I have to deal with life and it's little problems myself all the time. I also have a brother who deals with Ulcerative colitis and has had it for yrs. and also know someone in their 30s who was diagnosed around 2 yrs. ago. It is so sad, that there seems to be so many people out there who do not understand issues that might affect ones Health and are always quick to judge.
Let's just hope one day they can relate a little more without being so judgemental but not having to endure something like this themselves. My thoughts and Prayers are with you, and hope you start feeling better soon.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
19 Jul 12
It is hard to explain sometimes and they won't understand unless they experience it themselves. Wiki certainly does not give your illness justice. I think that there are a lot of illnesses out there that are underestimated by definition. Suffering through it is a different matter altogether.
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
18 Jul 12
I just had this experience sids, when i had my anterior and posterior colporaphy due to my cystorectocele last May 3 and had a two months paid leave because of it . ( Can i just request that you look up the meanings of those two in the internet )
People would ask further what it is and i would say i had a gynecological operation and when they ask further i would say, it's complicated.
But may i ask sids if you are already mobile now?
)
People would ask further what it is and i would say i had a gynecological operation and when they ask further i would say, it's complicated.
But may i ask sids if you are already mobile now?
@ajk111 (2495)
•
17 Jul 12
Without realising it, ignorance is bliss for many people. i suffer from high acid content in my stomach and sometimes people think if i have a anti acid pill i will be fine. They do not realise that something as simple as orange juice can feel like molten lava in your stomach when you drink it.
I hope you are recieving good treatment and that soon you will be able to control it with medicine.
all the best in the future.
