Why Don't You Believe Us? - Invisible Illness, Fatigue & the Economics of Man Flu

Why do people struggle to believe us when we say we have inflammatory arthritis? This week, Debbie and Katy explore the realities of living with an invisible illness, from the frustration of not being believed to the often-overlooked impact of fatigue and the energy it takes to live with chronic inflammation. They discuss flu and COVID vaccinations, patient advocacy, medication side effects, making the most of good days, and why a diagnosis doesn't have to stop you achieving your dreams. The conversation also reflects on Simon Stones' recent episode and the importance of speaking up, raising awareness, and living well with inflammatory arthritis. Plus, in true podcast fashion, there's a light-hearted discussion about the economics of "man flu"! In this episode: Invisible illness and not being believed Fatigue and the hidden impact of inflammatory arthritis Flu and COVID vaccinations Patient advocacy and healthcare communication Medication side effects and delayed diagnosis Living well, pacing and flares World Arthritis Day and achieving your dreams he economics of "man flu" Memorable Quotes 💬 "Looking well doesn't mean you're well." 💬 "If a medication isn't working for you, it doesn't mean you've failed. It means the treatment isn't right for you." 💬 "You can do everything right and still flare. Sometimes we're trying to control the uncontrollable." 💬 "Why would we lie about being ill? We just want to be healthy." Useful Links 🔗 Inflammatory Arthritis UK: https://inflammatoryarthritis.org/ 🔗 EasyFundraising: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ 🔗 NHS Vaccination Information: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/ Follow Inflammatory Arthritis UK Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Bluesky | YouTube #InflammatoryArthritis #RheumatoidArthritis #InvisibleIllness #ChronicIllness #Fatigue #PatientAdvocacy #ArthritisAwareness #WorldArthritisDay #AchievingYourDreams #AutoimmuneDisease #LivingWithArthritis #ChronicPain #ArthritisPodcast #InflammatoryArthritisUK Disclaimer: Debbie and Katy are not medical professionals. This podcast shares personal experiences of living with inflammatory arthritis and is for information and community support only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice.