I have heard, just like all of you, a lot of really dumb and sometimes hurtful things through my years of chronic illnesses. I am going to share the medical suggestions that I can remember, but I should have kept a running list, it would have filled volumes.
You are going to stop having children because you are ill? That is biblically wrong, you should have as many as you are given.
You are going to have surgery to correct a congenital issue? You need to try these drops first; my friend sells them, they are all-natural, and cured her from food allergies.
You are not praying hard enough to be cured.
You are paying for the sins of your parents.
You are paying for the sins of your forefathers; you should go listen to this pastor’s seminar on how to pray correctly to break the curse.
You do not truly believe that you will be healed, so therefore you won’t be.
If you worked full-time you wouldn’t have time to think about your problems and you would feel better.
You should spend more time away from home and your family.
You need to go vegan.
You need to go vegetarian.
You need to go paleo.
You need to go gluten-free.
You need to go dairy-free
You need to adopt a raw diet.
You need to eat fermented foods.
You need to do a month long juice cleanse.
You need to go on a liquid diet.
You need to do the GAPS diet.
Essential oils in the proper combination can cure all ailments.
Get your chakras lined up properly.
Infrared sauna can cure your sicknesses.
Colonics eventually cures all sicknesses.
Vitamin C IV therapy cures everything.
If you didn’t worry so much your body would heal itself.
Have you tried mediating more often?
Your illnesses are all in your head.
Have you tried yoga?
You need to exercise more.
Ozone therapy will cure you.
Yea, I know how you feel having a chronic illness, I had a lot of morning sickness while pregnant. You just need to rest more.
You should get rid of all indoor pets.
Visualize health and then you will be healthy.
Massage therapy will get rid of all the toxins stored in your body leading to a cure.
Acupuncture would heal you.
A RIFE machine has codes to cure all illnesses.
Using an infrared sauna cures everything if used regularly.
You should stop taking all meds and supplements.
You should start taking more meds and/or supplements.
You are taking the wrong meds and/or supplements.
You should check yourself into a good hospital and have them run all kinds of tests so you really know what is going on
You just need to learn to push through it, it makes you stronger.
Please know that I do NOT think any of the above suggestions are in and of themselves bad. In fact, I think many of the ideas could be beneficial to some, in addition to an appropriate health care plan. I have just found it amazing that people, having no experience with chronic illness themselves, feel they are the ones to give the best advice.
I would love to hear the stupid(est!) advice you have been given.
Until next time…..
