Not really sure if this is the best place to start this thread, but just feel I want to.
I understand that my issues are probably nothing compared to what some people go through - but I have a few health issues and I think people either think I'm making them up, exaggerating, or just need to 'man up'.
I have something bizarre going on with my belly button, it keeps getting infected over and over again. In the last 3 years, 5 courses of antibiotics have failed to get rid of it, plus antibiotic and anti fungal cream. Above my navel its all swollen, I had a scan and was told I have an abscess first then an umbilical hernia but thats not what the lump is - she said maybe a lipoma(?). I now have to see a surgeon soon to arrange an investigatory op.
All through the night I have pain where this lump is and around it, I can't run too well, can't do much exercise and as it's constantly infected it's so sore in my belly button and is 'icky' which makes me self conscious :(
I also get very very bad migraines, a couple a week usually. I also have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands and suffer numbness and pain. I had an op on one of the hands a few years ago but its coming back gradually.
I suffer from anxiety and depression too and am regularly 'in pain' there even if others can't see it.
People are sick of me, my mum is fed up of me 'always having something wrong' with me, others when I say my hernia is playing up or have a migraine say 'Oh that again' and I can tell they think I'm exaggerating.
I think if it's a short term illness or accident people are more understanding but when things are chronic and long lasting, I've found people get impatient and I do feel a burden because my problems have been going on for bloody ages.
What I think I'm getting at is, am I being unreasonable to get annoyed that people don't understand I'm often in pain and I'm not making it up, or trying to get attention and that they should be a bit kinder!!!?
Sorry this is so long!