"You Are Sick Because...."

On a similar topic to what I wrote late last night about the fighting and arguments within the chronic illness community, I want to share a few comments I have heard over the years.

According to other chronic illness patients, this is WHY I am ill:

***
• You are sick because you eat bread. Gluten is poison.
(So I try a gluten free diet).
• You consume dairy. Dairy is poison.
(So I went dairy-free as well. Switched to soy.)
• You eat meat. Meat is poison. Plant-based is the way to go.
(So I try going plant-based - with horrible results, so I reduce the types of veggies I eat to ones that don't hurt as much.)
• You eat sugar. Stop. Sugar is poison.
(So I cut out sugar).
• You are eating too many foods with high levels of sodium. Salt is poison.
(So I cut out salt.. )
• Well if you are only eating variations of rice and potatoes, you are obviously not getting enough nutrients. Try these supplements.
(So I try some supplements. Which do not digest properly because my intestines don't work properly.)
• Well that's because your gut bacteria is all messed up. You need probiotics.
(So I start taking probiotics and add probiotic yogurt to my diet. Probiotics, btw, are most helpful once they reach the large bowel - which I do not have.)
• Well you're sick because your schedule is too busy and you have high levels of stress.
(I reduce my hours at work and lighten my load of extra curricular activities.)
• You are not exercising enough.
(I buy a gym membership and work out as much as possible, start practicing yoga, and workout and stretch at home every single night).
• Well you are not getting enough protein. Maybe you should increase your protein intake.
(I add peanut butter, nuts, eggs, etc... into my diet).
• No no no, you are sick because you haven't committed to a vegan diet.
(I research veganism to find out what I could possibly eat on that kind of diet. The answer is not good.)
• You're still not eating enough. Maybe you should increase your caloric intake.
(So I try forcing myself to eat more throughout the day).
• You're sick because you are eating too much for your body size. Try snacking throughout the day instead, but in small portions.
(Okay this one is usually a better plan anyways for my angry intestines, but it still won't 'fix' the problem.)
• It's because the medical system failed you. You should not be taking so many medications. Try homeopathic and naturopathic medicine instead.
(So I see an ND for several years, trying all sorts of therapies, I reduce the pharmaceutical meds, I even try vaping! I go on a strict protocol of natural medicines, supplements, oils, herbs, and go to alternative medicine therapies).
• None of that stuff works. You need real medicine. Don't continue if it doesn't help.
(I reduce the naturopathic therapies that don't seem to help at all and focus on a combination of natural and pharmaceutical interventions).
• You are sick because you are a slave to Big Pharma.
(Hahahahaha)
• You're still sick because you drink alcohol sometimes.
(I reduce alcohol intake significantly).
• You are sick because you haven't tried marijuana.
(I then try medical marijuana - which helps me sleep, but that's about it)
     ▪ You need to try different strains and formats. (So I try several strains and formulations).
     ▪ The place you get it from isn't a reputable source. It's from a place the evil government encourages, so it obviously isn't good. (I try somewhere else with no improvement).
     ▪ You are obviously doing it wrong. (Ugh).
• You are sick because you were made to eat meat and your bones need proper dairy.
• You are sick because you choose to be sick.
(I'm about to slap someone.)
• You are sick because you had vaccinations as a child.
• You are sick because you allowed your doctors to remove your large intestine. That wouldn't have been necessary if you had just seen a Naturopath first. (I had actually.. And how is this helpful anyways? It's not like they can put it back!).
• You are sick because you were too stressed out as a kid. (None of the 'before' reasons are helpful. Ever. It's not like I can go back and change it anyways. How do these speculations help besides making me wonder and feel guilty?)
• You are sick because you need to be on the Anti-Inflammation diet.
(So I research and try to follow that diet).
• You are sick because you haven't tried the Paleo diet.
(But I thought animal protein was poison... what? Okay I'll research and try).
• You are sick because you are not on the Wahl's diet.
(Another one? Okay let's take a look...)
• You are sick because you work too much and need to reduce stress.
• You are sick because you don't work and don't have a purpose.
• You are sick because you are too active.
• You are sick because you are too sedentary.
• You are sick because you eat gluten.
• You are sick because you don't eat enough carbohydrates.
• You are sick because you are taking antibiotics.
• You are sick because you need antibiotics.
• You are sick because you resort to pills.
• But here - take this naturally-sourced pill instead. This pill is better than that other pill. This pill will cure you. That other pill will kill you.
• You are sick because you do those injections. Try this other injection instead.
• You are sick because of all the chemicals in your body. Try this IV therapy with better chemicals and you'll feel so much better. These chemicals are natural.
• You are sick from too many needles. Use these other needles instead.
• You are sick because your home is not feng-shui.
• You are sick because you are not getting enough fruits. Try these smoothies.
• You are sick because you are eating too many acidic fruits.
***

Okay I am pretty sure I made my point here... and then beat it to death with a stick lol.

Find something that works, and stick to what makes you feel better. Advice and ideas are welcome. Blaming is not. Judging is not. I will try nearly anything within reason, and if i say I have tried a particular treatment or diet and that it did not work, please trust that I did my due diligence and gave it a fully committed attempt. And if I am not willing to try something, trust that it is because of one of three reasons:
1. I have already tried it, more than once, to no benefit. Or
2. Trying it will compromise a treatment or protocol I am currently on that truly helps and I am not willing to risk losing the benefit of this current treatment.
3. I am allergic to one or more of the ingredients.

There are always new developments and new treatments and diet breakthroughs, and I am open to researching. The problem with many 'diet' fads is that they a recycled. Many diets are old diets wrapped in a new package with a new name.
I take the time to research every suggested treatment or dietary plan. Any piece of advice is something that I look up, read about, watch videos about, and properly research. That means that I read articled that are encouraging this new treatment as well as articles that try to disprove it. I look at both sides. I make a list of the pros and cons. I add in elements of each of these suggestions. I am always trying to find the right balance.
If it is not beneficial for me or if it is too risky, then don't assume that I just ignored your advice. I didn't. All of these ideas I have taken into consideration - including feng shui and crystals and salt lamps and chakra healing and prevention.
I have attempted nearly every suggestion I have been given, as long as it was safe to do so. I mean, I even have stamped rings and pocket tokens just to have the sentiment of 'strength' physically in my back pocket.

And nobody - NOBODY - in their right mind chooses to be sick. Unless a person has Munchausen's or is Masochistic (in which case he/she did not choose those mental illnesses either), he/she did not choose this chronic illness life.