“If you have someone in your life who struggles with an #invisibleillness just remember they probably do their best to look or act ‘normal’… Even simple things can set us back for the rest of the day, several days [or] sometimes even for weeks.” https://buff.ly/LXFELL3

“It might appear they are lazy because they are up and functioning fine one day and in bed the next. This isn’t a personal choice, #ChronicPain goes up and down—the real challenge is to not overdo it on good days—then pay for it dearly the next.” https://buff.ly/3tZA2BD

“I’ve read about my #RareDisease for years. I can explain the tip of the iceberg but can’t expect anyone to understand the whole iceberg from a quick explanation. Being rare is easily misunderstood, or worse, brushed off by providers.” https://buff.ly/8TKyrTt #ChronicPain

“You were fine yesterday so why are you canceling today? Surely your medication will treat it… You’re too young to be that ill… You’re smiling so you can’t be in pain.” You don’t have to fully understand our conditions but at least try.” https://t.co/agpbVYtiRI #invisibleillness

“Life with a health condition is unpredictable. Spoons are unpredictable too. When living with #chronicpain or a #chronicillness (including many #mentalhealth illnesses), people don’t always wake up with 12 spoons…sometimes even less.” https://buff.ly/kFyWFcZ @despitepain.bsky

“There is no break. I’m always operating with some high level of pain… I don’t get enough sleep…which makes it worse and creates a cycle. And where I live…the weather can be horrible one day and send me into a flare for weeks.” https://buff.ly/3OIAHz0 #chronicillness #chronicpain

“One fun thing, or even one stupid day task can leave me bed bound. Pain and #fatigue go hand in hand and being in pain all the time is absolutely exhausting. When pain takes over I hide from the world.” https://whatapain.co.uk/the-pain-behind-closed-doors/ #chronicpain #spoonie

“What matters is putting my reality out there because there is somebody who needs to read it to know that they aren’t alone. Because someone out there is feeling this way, too.” Life With #ChronicIllness https://buff.ly/41V2rXu #YouAreNotAlone #MentalHealthMatters #ChronicPain

“It is heartbreaking realising that I am no longer able to remember what it is not to be in pain… I do sometimes have great moments, beautiful days even. But still, I am in pain.” Life With A #ChronicIllness https://buff.ly/3OuV81W @serenebutterfly.bsky.social #ChronicPain

“We may be rare, but we are fighting a battle you’ll hopefully never have to go through. We are warriors… We are still us, despite how much the disease robs from us. We are still the person you know & love.” What #CRPS Takes Away https://buff.ly/43oqksf #ChronicPain #RareDisease

“Imagine plugging in a dead cell phone over night. When you awake, you expect it to be at 100%. But when you wake, it’s only at 9% and you have to try and function on that 9 percent. You’re never fully charged.” https://buff.ly/3QurKxP #autoimmune #pwME #pwLC #chronicpain

“Healthy people spend energy they have…#disabled people spend energy we haven’t earned back—borrowing against a body—every choice has a bill… We’re not asking for pity [but] notice—what looks effortless is often the most expensive thing we did all week.” https://buff.ly/3pdRtYS

“Because chronic #intractablepain is constant, difficult to manage, incurable and usually severe, our bodies are constantly fighting it… This affects every part and piece of us…we have to fight back against every day… The #fatigue is debilitating.” https://buff.ly/3LZKt0g #cpp

“I have the motivation and determination to achieve awesome things; but I’m trapped in a body that will not allow me to physically manage them… I know many people with #chronicillness will relate to this, and I just wanted to say #YouAreNotAlone .” https://buff.ly/3qN6BEm

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” ~ Maya Angelou #chronicillness #chronicpain #mentalhealth #disabilities

“I experience a sense of deep-seated sadness for the life I should be living if I hadn’t gotten ill…I have to prioritize so carefully what I can and can’t do and how much…I wish I could enjoy things and equally not feel the payback when I do.” https://buff.ly/3QDk8Gx #ChronicPain

“We never know what someone is going through just by looking at them—and we certainly have no idea what patients are going through. ‘Sick’ doesn’t have a look… Many of us are stronger than you’ll ever understand.” https://t.co/oiznhmki4f @CarrieKellenberger.bsky #ChronicIllness

“I wish people understood being ill does not get easier with time. It gets harder… You may adjust to the physical #pain, but you never truly adjust… You never get used to those around you saying, “Again? Weren’t you just in the hospital?”” https://buff.ly/42bvVAN #ChronicIllness

“One of the most frustrating aspects of living with #ChronicPain is not being able to achieve what we’d like to… we tend to berate ourselves… We put pressure on ourselves to do more than we’re capable of. That pressure turns to stress.” https://buff.ly/VnW7NNj @despitepain.bsky

“I’d been rejoicing that I no longer need crutches…I had been so excited to be feeling “normal”, but still needed a little help. It was like I was chastised for asking for help… This is why we need to share our stories.” #Disabled? No You're Not https://buff.ly/3XiOP7T #InvisibleIllness #ChronicPain

“The times I most need to talk to someone are also the times when reaching out is the most difficult… I tend to also isolate myself… I often wish for another to reach out…initiate the conversation… The start is always the hardest.” https://buff.ly/wZ0O8nV #MentalHealthMatters #YouAreNotAlone

“When people ask if I’m OK I always say yeah I’m fine when I’m far from fine. If I told the truth I don’t think people would understand and I hate feeling like I’m depressing people.” When Pain Is Your Normal https://buff.ly/3ILHwjc #chronicpain #chronicillness #disability

“I’m sorry how often I tell you that I can’t make it; I’m sorry that I make a big deal out of your birthday then stay home; I’m sorry I can’t help you wash up; I’m sorry I have to kick you out when I’m too tired… I’m sorry that I’m sorry.” https://buff.ly/3BIkOpt #chronicillness

“People assume if you‘re using a #disabled parking pass, it must mean you should be in a wheelchair or use a #mobility device. But not all #disabilities are visible… You don’t deserve judgment just because you don’t fit society’s narrative of disability.” https://buff.ly/eZ5OONE #Disability

“As a person with #chronicillness I’ve learned we tend to violate our own boundaries… I spend time with others to the point of physical/emotional exhaustion, cause my pain levels to get high & I tend to not ask for help.” https://www.lylcsarah.com/post/setting-boundaries-when-you-re-chroniclly-ill/

“Some days the noise hits you like a brick wall. In an instant, you experience pain, nausea, dizziness, trembling… But it’s not just noise, I’m also hypersensitive to smells, light and touch.” 18 Types of Pain […] With #Fibromyalgia https://themighty.com/topic/fibromyalgia/types-of-fibromyalgia-pain

“A brain in pain is over-activated and over-stressed. Parts of the brain that would normally get time to rest don’t get a break with #ChronicPain… It’s much harder to have a conversation […] when a bunch of people are talking to you at the same time.” https://buff.ly/40IRdoy

“When asked my pain level on a scale of 1 to 10 I ask, “My scale or yours?” On my scale I can be a 4 today but on a doctor’s…it’s probably closer to an 8… My body is in pain all the time, I have to endure it and it changes my perceptions.” https://buff.ly/3QvXW0L #ChronicPain #InvisibleIllness

“We never get to see people living with pain or #disability because—guess what? They can’t leave their houses. #Pain flare-ups can also be unpredictable. You might make plans and then have to say I’m sorry, but I can’t manage this today.” https://buff.ly/MkbxXCc #chronicillness

“You’re fighting a hard battle every single day… Life with #ChronicIllness is anything but easy… You probably don’t voice even 1/4 of the pain you’re feeling… I see you… I also see your #courage.” https://themighty.com/topic/chronic-illness/to-those-who-feel-bad-for-complaining-about-their-illness