Anyone feel invisible?

I don’t really complain to anyone about my health issues because most have their own problems they are dealing with and it gets old hearing that someone isn’t feeling well all the time. That’s one reason I belong to sites where input is welcomed and others understand. Attending virtual conferences and counseling has proved helpful to me. (I don’t have fibromyalgia.). I don’t think it’s that people don’t care, but they have only so much bandwidth to accommodate other people’s pain.

Thanks for solidifying my belief to keep things to myself instead of reaching out for help.

Understood.

@hechtml , I think reaching out is a good thing. I just try to vent with those who welcome it like support groups, message boards, therapists, etc. My friends care but I usually am sensitive about complaining since they have their own issues too. One of my good friend’s husband has cancer and she’s not in the best if health either. So, I volunteer to help her.

The boards are a god sent.
I don't mention anything unless I'm directly asked. Most of my family feels I'm a hypochondriac at this point anyway, with all the random pains and issues and dr visits. But I don't let them bully myself into "your fine, just work thru it" anymore. If I can't, I don't go.

It is really tough. Pain is isolating on its own. I think most people care; they just really don't know what to do.
Think of how you'd like them to respond and, maybe, ask them to respond that way. Sometimes we send clues that we want to be left alone, especially when that other presence is full of expectations.
While people can be deeply sympathetic, they don't really understand until, unless they experience pain themselves.
Wishing you better days
https://batemanhornecenter.org/new-hope-in-fibromyalgia-treatment-understanding-tonmya/

I feel you, whenever I mention that while I would love to go do something I physically cannot and making people understand without them jumping in with their aches and pains. So I am here and this is a safe space.

This site is great as I keep getting told "try not to go on about it" ," people don't want to hear about your problems, everyone has enough of their own" and this is my Mum who means well! An invisible chronic illness is hard for us fibromyalgia sufferers to navigate at the best of times so for people who haven't got it, well....I am stuck in a body that's unable to do what my spirit wants to and it's so frustrating and how I love to talk. On really bad days do people really want to hear me go on, probably not so I am grateful I can vent here. I am in terrible pain all over and like a zombie at the mo and I do feel isolated and invisible in my suffering. I am in the worst flare since my diagnosis and this is the first time I feel fibromyalgia is controlling me. People who are in the same situation understand and we can share and be part of an on line community where we perhaps for a short while don't feel invisible. I could swear as I am not living a life I thought I would, I also have a slipped disc and recently on antibiotics for a recurring UTI which has knocked me out. So thank the Lord for sites such as these. I live in the UK and it's also interesting how you deal with things fibromyalgia related over the pond....x

@guineapiglover
You are right.
It is an invisible disease.
Most people think that we imagine it.
They think that we just need to get our act together and stop complaining.
But it is real.
And it hurts.

Yes invisible doesn't mean you're not ill. At least in this community we are not invisible and totally get each others daily challenges. I hate having to remind people that I don't feel up to things but sometimes you just have to mention the F word! 😅