Hypochondriacs? Drama Queens?

[skipper66]

I am aggravated with some of the posts on here lately. It seems like some people actually are wanting to get the horrible diagnosis of ALS. They have health issues and even though they don't know much about it they give themselves the diagnosis of ALS. One guy said he ran 1 1/2 miles in the heat and wandered while his legs were wobbly. Give me a break. Why don't people see their regular Dr's?
Then another lady posted about her brother's sex life. I don't want to hear about that private stuff on here. She could also google that stuff on here and get more info. I don't care rather my families are sick or not I'm not going to ask them about that part of their life. If people want to talk about their emotions that is totally a different matter. She needs to help her brother with his other health issues. He should talk to his Dr. for advice for the other stuff. Kind of strange that his own sister would be so concerned. She sounds pretty warped in the head too me.
Anyway, enough ranting. My dad went to a ALS specialist in Dallas and it went extremely well. He has a follow-up appointment in two weeks.
Kim

 

[Zaphoon]

I've often wondered how many registered users on this forum operate under more than 1 screen name. Some posts are just way too similar. This comes from the frustrated mind of a former cryptologist.

 

[glupavomomiche]

Skipper, welcome to my world.

This has bothered me since the minute I got on this forum. I used to be like you and get extremely upset about it. It's one thing for a person to get on here, state their case, we respond with support, and they thank us and go on their merry way, diagnosed or not. But it's entirely something else for these people who get on here and ARGUE with us when we tell them their symptoms don't sound like ALS. They WANT to have ALS. I know, I know, they are completely screwy in the head.

So here's what I do now... I view this as entertainment. It's like late night television or a 900 number... you know, Peter Popoff offering you salvation in a bottle of tap water, Tony Little promising you weight loss is easy and fun, and Cleo reading her crystal ball over the phone and telling you a load of rubbish. I think a lot of others do too. It used to bother me that our PALS, who could do so little with so much effort, would bother to respond to these people. But now that I'm one of those PALS stuck at home unable to do much and bored out of my skull... I get it. It's something to do.

Please try to not let it upset you anymore. You and I and everyone else truly affected by ALS has the special knowledge that comes with this terrible diagnosis.... that there are far more important things in life to spend your time on. So you go and spend time with your dad and make enough wonderful special memories to last a lifetime and don't worry about the CRAP that you read in the DIHALS part of the forum. Hugs to you!

PS... glad to hear things went well in Dallas. May I ask who your dad saw? I was trying to get in up there but they gave me an appointment that was 4 1/2 months away! It was with Jaya Trivedi at UT Southwestern. I gave up on that and I see Dr. Carlayne Jackson in San Antonio. She is FANTASTIC!

 

[kiwisally]

Kim,
Glad your dad's trip to Dallas went well and he will be followed up so quickly.
Fortunately there are a lot more nut jobs out there than those with ALS. It's just our misfortune and a pity they know how to use a computer so well.
All the best to you.

 

[Toto's Dorothy]

My post is gone, d@rn I hate that.

Oh Kim,

So you took my advice. Do you feel a little bit better? If not, let some more out. Now, I like the ones that are supposedly real and say things like, the ones that died just gave up. These people weren't weak. They were very much the strong people and to make a comment like that infuriates me. I am snarling right now. Maybe I should coil up some of my chain to make it look like I have 5 feet instead of the 10 feet. This will give me enough leeway to gnaw their ankles to the bone.

 

[Anja]

I agree here, and am so happy i heard today i don't have ALS! I don't understand people who don't trust their doctors! I DO!

 

[Barbie]

Kim--I am blown away by the number of people who WANT to have ALS. Inever knew there were so many crazy people with health anxiety...

It is so sad to see people trying to gain attention by being sick. You can almost guess the crazy level by the length of the post--they go on and on about "symptoms" that are just normal things. I often want to just post on some of them--Yes, you do have ALS andI think you have just a few weeks to live! but then I guess that is just mean. If the crazies bother you, the best thing to do is stay off that thread for a while. that is what I did. now once in a while I go on for entertainment until I can not handle it anymore and thenleave again.

 

[michelleRN]

I remember I was always quite the hypochondriac prior to ALS. I think it was the plight of being a nurse - so many are hypochondriacs simply by knowing all of the worst case scenarios. The strangest thing is I wasn't that disturbed by my finger dropping when it finally did for good. In my head I figured it was a nerve in my arm - overuse perhaps - and my worst-case scenario was a pinched nerve in my neck. How funny. I thought THAT was the worst it could be. I never concentrated on random twitches (certainly everyone gets those!), and always figured I was just sorely out of shape. I certainly would rather take an elevator than the stairs, and that surely had to be why stairs were more and more trying. I did mention ALS to my partner, more as a joke than anything. There was no way *I* could have it. *I* was a hypochondriac and nothing that serious would ever truly be wrong with me.

Wrong on that one.

Since ALS, I am honestly the least concerned about small symptoms/illnesses than I have ever been before - in myself and everyone around me. It comes off as cold and uncaring, I know this. But nothing good can come from freaking out, over analyzing, or obsessing. If you have a concern, go to a doctor and voice it. If you aren't satisfied with the answer, seek a second opinion. If the second one doesn't satisfy, seek a third. If the third doesn't work, seek a psychiatrist. **Note: This is largely sarcastic jest, but somewhat true.**

There is just so much great in the world to not be spending time finding a reason to be dying.