@plakermike88 Hey there! Being a "bother" is only your perception of the situation. Let me clarify - what I mean, is unless they actually verbalize that to you, then don't fall under that assumption. It will only dampen your spirits and won't affect them. An example is forgiveness, right? When we hold a grudge, we are only hurting ourselves, not the other party. When we forgive or let go, it releases us from holding onto fears, anger, bitterness, hurt etc etc. I'd encourage you to not give up - keep gently reminding those who are skeptical that your battles are real, and unless they are really inside your body, they can't really know. They simply have to trust you and that is that. You can't force trust, you have to earn it and sometimes it takes longer than we want. But, I promise you the patience and grace you show them will pay off in the long run. My own life is a testament to that. Just keep talking and persevering, and don't let your mind wander into the "unknowns" or the "what ifs". Our minds can play dirty tricks on us, including forming thoughts about others that possibly aren't true. Let the little stuff go and move on. Keep living your life and seeking out joy. I promise your mindset will change and you'll experience overwhelming peace. The pain is very real, I won't lie, as we both know. When you get down or frustrated, jump on here and reach out to us! There is almost always someone on here 24/7 ready to listen and provide support, and even moreso bear your burdens. We're all in this together, never forget that. Another thing you can do, is show them the research or let them talk to a doctor directly. Better yet, encourage them to join a support group for "family of" or "caregivers" (not saying you're disabled, but sometimes the groups can become blended is all). And remind them that you are not alone, there are many others of us out here experiencing high levels of antagonizing and frustrating pain that create many challenges. But we adapt and live. I'd be glad to be a point of contact for you, if anyone in your family wants to talk to someone else about it (privately, of course and not breaching your privacy). But, I can share with them my own story and I'd be surprised if their views didn't soften. 🙂 Keep at it, and best of luck! You're doing great and taking big strides! Your story is encouraging to the rest of us, just voicing that to you. Thanks for the pain-free wishes!

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