Reddit - Interesting posts on Reddit, including what some doctors say about ME/CFS

[Wits_End]

What about

"First-line treatment for these patients is pacing, which is the art of staying within the energy envelope in order to avoid post-exertional malaise. Repeated triggering of post-exertional malaise can and often does lead to worsened physical functioning over time. At worst, these patients end up bed-bound, unable to eat, and require enteral nutritional support, as well as 24-hour caregiver support. It's a really horrendous disease.

I'm actually writing a book on the subject and offering peer-to-peer consultation support, because most of these patients go without diagnosis or treatment. Thank you so much for your curiosity and interest in these patients. They're a fantastic group to treat once you know what you're doing."?

 

[Yann04]

TW: Suicide

A post about a woman with LC in Canada who committed suicide. Says psychologisation/dismissal contributed.

 

[Chandelier]

Well articulated reddit post.
A young woman in despair about the insinuation that she would seek disability as an identity as if it was a fancy pair of new shoes to show off with on social media.

Recently I've seen a few forums of medical professionals discussing the rise in younger queer people who believe they have disorders like ME/CFS, POTS, hEDS, GP, and MCAS.
The common consensus was that these individuals have taken on disability as an identity, and are unwilling to accept a different diagnosis/phycological explanation for their symptoms.

As a 19 year old masculine presenting women idk what to do about this.
Last year I was a high achieving biomed student studying to become an OT, no history of serious mental health problems.
Now (because of the symptoms I am experiencing) I am basically nothing.
Evey doctor I have seen has suggested I have some sort of mental illness/am not really sick.
The worst time, I had a doctor listen to me explain I had physical and cognitive symptoms so bad I had to DROP OUT OF SCHOOL and without any further questions or investigation told me there's nothing medically wrong with me and I need to start pushing through my pain more.
Genuinly told me I seem too emotionally invested in this situation, which was clouding my judgment. THANKFULLY I was told by a mental health professional that I don't seem like I have any mental health conditions, only deppresion form my situation (although I've seen doctors say mental health professionals are unreliable yes-mans).

When I go to appointments try to present less queer and bring up the "respectable" life I had before becoming sick.
I try to bring up I am not shopping for a specific diagnosis, just want to be well enough to keep going to school/working/living alone.
It's just fucking crazy to me I have to deal with blatant homophobia and sexism while I am ill. It has COMPLETELY changed my perception of the healthcare system.

TLDR: Doctors don't blame womens health issues on anxiety challenge (impossible)