Bipolars with Fibromyalgia Support Group

Problems with my stomach & digestion? Stop taking the meds.

Problem with my hands tremors? Stop taking the meds.

Problem with migrains? Stop taking the meds... Ughh!

She thinks that I'm able to stop taking my Lithium even though I've told her a dozen times that Bipolar isn't curable but can be treated through medication.

She just thinks that my doctor is giving me medicine for stuff I don't have or that I don't need medication to treat it. =/ She also thinks that bipolar can go away!

Its so frustrating but I know I can't get mad at her. Shes never mean about it, she just doesn't understand it all. She also thinks my fibro is because I don't excercise enough and that if I would just go for walks and work out that I would feel better hehe.

Ugh sorry about that, just needed to vent!

I'm sorry your grandmother doesn't understand. Is she quite old? Sometimes elderly folks just get their minds set on some idea or other and don't realize they are stuck there, like a needle in a record groove!

It sounds like she isn't about to change anytime soon, either. Which I'm sure is frustrating and even hurtful for you. Not that she intends in any way to hurt you. It's just under the circumstances she can't help it.

She may also be in some amount of denial about your illnesses. It would be too heartbreaking to her to realize her granddaughter is chronically ill, so she has created this idea in her head to avoid that pain.

Well, I'm probably straying too far into psychological territory that I'm not qualified to speak to, but I hope this has been helpful.

Yeah, I think it has to do with the fact that she doesn't want to think that there is something wrong that won't just go away on its own. Plus I think she is just worried that my doctor is going to put me on something that I'll get addicted to like my uncle.

You know, you just may be right -- that she's worried about medications in general because of something in particular that happened to your uncle. It's not necessarily reasonable of her to think that in regards to you. It's just that she is afraid.

But I don't want to just sit here and sound like I'm explaining everything away ... It's hurtful to you that your grandmother doesn't understand and I am sorry for you that she doesn't. I'm sure you would like to feel closer to her and have her be more understanding.

But I don't think it means that she loves you any less. She just doesn't comprehend how helpful it would be if she could understand.

Its always such a weight lifted off me when I come here and talk to you guys. Its so nice to have people who understand and that you can vent to.

Thanks for understanding and making me feel better (and by helping me understand it more)about the whole situation =)

*hugs*