In the Same Boat

It seems, fairly often, that there is this divide among chronic illness patients.
I know that I have written lots about some of these very issues so I apologize if this sounds like pandering.

There is always the issue of one chronic illness being experienced completely differently by patients. Who knew that one very specific disease could have so many variations??
I believe that that small reality is where so many issues stem from. It is why there is such a divide among patients regarding treatments, the right diet protocol, the right activities to participate in.
But there IS no "right" diet. Or "right" medication. Or "right" way of doing things.
No matter what the other person with the same illness says. Their experience is different than yours... than anyone else with the disease. Ideas, advice, some go-to tricks for specific symptoms - now those are invaluable. But there is no foolproof way to deal with it. Not yet anyways. Not that we have discovered - yet.

It feels as though the most controversial divide in healthcare in general is relying on Western Medicine, pharmaceuticals, and Westernized healthcare OR natural remedies, ancient therapies, Eastern medicine, supplements, and plant-based healing.
But why does it have to be either/or?
Why is there this snooty attitude - on both sides - if someone with the same disease has a different treatment protocol?
Oh! Because you achieved remission and that person didn't?
But what about that other person over there, who chose neither method, and also achieved remission? Were they just lucky?
What about your friend who did everything you did but is still not in remission? Do you really think you are in remission because you decided NOT to eat the popcorn at the movies? Or that maybe she doesn't always remember to take her medication at the exact same time every morning? Or that you think what you did was just the absolute perfect combination and if your friend would only listen to everything you tell him/her to do, he/she would be healthy too??

Come on.

I seem to always reiterate this next sentiment:
Every single person is different. Every single person has a completely different experience - even with the same symptoms. My stomach pain is not experienced the same as someone else's stomach pain. We do not vomit in the same way. We do not experience migraines or headaches the same way. So why would treatment ever be the exact same - especially with a chronic illness that has widespread complications throughout the body? 9

So if you rely on pharmaceutical medications, physiotherapy, and a low-carb, vegetarian diet, and have significantly reduced the severity of your symptoms, that is AMAZING. Keep doing what you are doing, because what you're doing is obviously helping you to feel better. That's the only point you need to make.

So if you rely on marijuana, essential oils, a plant-based diet, and proper exercise, and your symptoms have vastly improved? That is AMAZING. You're doing exactly what you should be doing, because you are feeling better. That's it. That's the only thing that matters.

And if you eat junk food, take Tylenol, exercise when you can, and use a combination of different medications and naturopathic supplements and feel better? Again, AMAZING. No matter the true reason why you feel better, the fact that you feel better is the only point.

Always remember that your 'better' may not be as good as someone else's 'better'. Your 'remission' may still include horrible headaches or stomach cramping. Your 'better' it all that matters.

We are ALL in the same boat.
We all want to feel better.
We all want to do whatever we can to improve our lives and our wellbeing.
And WE HAVE ALL tried as many different options as we can. And if we have a routine that seems to work, if I feel better than before, even in some small way, then I am doing exactly what I need to be doing.

There is no right way to cope with and deal with and treat chronic illness. Whatever way that makes you feel better, whatever way you are most comfortable with, is the right way for you.

Of course, as always, avoid the word 'cure'. At least when trying to imply a universal cure for chronic illness that affects thousands of people. A cure would be, truly, a life-saver. It is something to work towards. It is something to fundraise for. And if you or someone you know has been 'cured' of a chronic illness, I am genuinely excited and happy for you (and jealous, I mean let's be honest), but it does not mean it will cure everyone.

Okay. That's all.