(Yoga and Diet will fix everything) “No It Won’t” | A Cronic Pain Sufferer Speaks Out … Please stop giving random advice

It’s ME In Pain…

I don’t know about you when you are feeling rough and not happy, but when I’m frustrated – that’s a bad moment to tell me I’m having a wrong opinion about what I’m experiencing.

And that’s the common story I’ve heard from a few hundred chronic pain sufferes, all of whom are participating in a community focus group about living with pain and attempting alternative healing methods.  Our group is mostly made up of people who have chronic pain from metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and neuropathy (nerve pain).  … and they pretty much feel like Samanta describes in this re-blog.

Have A Suggestion….

I am definately guilty of offering advice before being asked.  I need to remember being a listener is often some of the best medicine around.

You’ll get to see what it’s like as Samanta describes in her post…..even the most compassionate herbalist should be very cautious giving advice.  Maybe  it’s good to remember that during  a health crisis, the person is using up every ounce of willpower to just move forward in small ways or maybe even to just stand still.

Best practices is the best client experience that is uniquely suited for them. Use your herbal and alternative bag of options to weave bits of knowledge together and present them in small packages.

Remember… sometimes it can be overwhelming for a person going through a health crisis to be asked to do nothing more than just breathe full breaths.

CLICK HERE > Check out Samanta’s website – she does a good job being forthright and honest about what it’s like to live with Ulcerative Colitis, Celiac Disease, Dysautonomia, Gastritis, and Chronic Pain

If you want to particpate in the Focus Group… leave a comment and I’ll send you the details! We’re having a great time and we’d love to have you join us!

Samanta’s original post

When you’re sick, apparently everyone thinks it’s okay to force their opinion about your illness down your throat. I don’t understand why people uneducated about medicine, people who don’t even know what’s wrong with me, try to tell me what I should do about my health. Just to be clear, I am not referring to those who genuinely want to help, understand and researched your condition before making a suggestion.

There are so many medication naysayers, people who are outright against any form of medication. To you, I say that unless you are my doctor and have a medical degree, you are not allowed to have an opinion about whether or not I should take my medication.

I don’t know how many times that I’ve heard, ”Blah blah blah, you should stop taking those pills, they’re bad for you. You should just try changing your diet and doing yoga, it’ll cure all of your problems.” No. You should stop talking. Do not EVER suggest that diet and yoga will magically make all of my diseases go away. Diet may help some people, but it’s definitely not a cure. And yoga… no. Just no. It may help pain for some, but not everyone is capable of doing yoga and it certainly will NOT heal all of my medical issues. Neither are anywhere close to a cure. Neither can replace any of my medication.

I don’t care if you’re against medication. I don’t care that you think that I should stop taking my pills. Of course, I don’t want to be on medications that cause me horrible side effects, who would ever willingly choose that? I wouldn’t. I don’t want to be on so many medications. I don’t want to take a thousand pills a day. But I do NOT have a choice. My symptoms without the medications are far WORSE than the side effects that come with the medication. Do not criticize something that you do not understand.

If I am severe pain, I will take my pain medication whether you like it or not. Do not judge me because I just don’t try to bear the pain without medication. I’m not any less brave or strong if I decide to treat my pain rather than suffering. I don’t care if you can manage your pain without medication, that’s wonderful for you, but not something that works for me. Our bodies are all different and I personally need my medicine. Who want’s to live a life in constant pain? You wouldn’t last a day in my body if you tried living my life without medication. I’d rather take pain medication to be able to live my life, rather than to suffer and live a low quality standard life.

Please educate yourself before you open your mouth to put down the way someone manages their chronic illness. It’s hard enough being sick, so it is truly unnecessary to be attacked about the medication that is being taken. I realize that many of you are just trying to help, but you really need to understand what’s wrong with us and educate yourself thoroughly before making any sort of judgement or suggestion. I welcome any sort of help anyone is willing to give, just as long as it is an informed opinion.

Comment and Share your experience of being on either side of this.  We can learn so much from one another…..

Original Article

via “Medication is bad for you. Changing your diet and yoga will cure you, trust me.” No. Stop. | Pills and Pebbles.