#cfsme

The medical neglect and abuse of chronically ill patients is absolutely absurd and only getting worse.

I have a multitude of different chronic conditions, many of them only being undiagnosed or partially diagnosed due to tests either being inaccessible, poorly done, or not ordered at all.

From those conditions, I mainly experience debilitating chronic pain (including inflammation and worsening of conditions), lethargy, migraines, vision loss, lightheadedness, skin damage, bowel and bladder issues, and possibly malabsorption. Just as main symptoms. I am housebound and slowly becoming bedbound.

But apparently the only treatments available are antidepressants, sunlight, exercise, and weight loss.

I've been getting more symptoms and more vocal about it, and they won't order anything other than the same blood test they always do, if that. I can't even see my results. No x-rays, no EKG, no MRI, no CT scan, sometimes I'll get a specialist referral... and then get denied. Because my doctor lists my issue as "depression."

No mobility aid, no injections, no physical therapy, no fucking help, not even a number to call. God forbid opioids (yes they do work, they're the gold standard of pain management, less than 5% of people abuse them when prescribed and also addicts deserve respect and compassion) but that's its own post.

So many patients are marked as noncompliant, over reporting, drug seeking, and plenty more things. It's common to bring an entire binder of information to an appointment, just to convince the medical professional to be professional about your medical issue. Half the time they don't even read a single page. For tons of people it's inaccessible in the first place. You literally cannot win.

It's not just this one doctor, it's a systemic issue. Doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, specialists, do not have your best interests in mind. I'm not the only one this is happening to. And it's targeted to the most marginalized groups.

This barely scratches the surface. I encourage people to share their experiences when reblogging.

★★★★★ "First doctor to ever listen to me. They were so compassionate and understanding. Recommended me to other specialists and helped me learn how to manage [xyz disabling symptom]. Actually prescribed me medications for my issues. Only waited a week to see them, and they take a billion insurance plans and are super easy to book an appointment."

OR

★☆☆☆☆ "Cost $1,000 for an appointment, doctor doesn't take any insurance plans. Told me I was depressed and needed to do GET and CBT more because my issues were just de-conditioning. Waited 2 years for an appointment and the office kept hanging up on me when I called."

you forgot something

and now you have to go out again with flare symptoms, knowing you will get an even worse flare after getting back but having no other choice because nobody will help...

so you just suffer the consequences

...