I know they mean well

When your friends and acquaintances learn that you’re struggling with a long-term, serious medical mystery… buckle up! The unsolicited advice is coming in hot.

Not only will the well-meaning attempt to diagnose you, they’ll endeavor to devise a treatment plan, even if they have absolutely no medical or scientific background.

When you’re sick and looking for answers, this advice never feels helpful or caring. It feels like judgment.

People seem to forget that you actually live your disease – every – single – day. You spend a lot of time visiting doctors and digging for answers. If there is something to be tried, you have probably already tried it or at least know about it.

Here are a few favorites I’ve heard over the last year

I saw on TikTok that the carnivore diet helps all autoimmune diseases.

Have you tried using Manuka honey, L-lysine, Purslane, Magnesium?

Big Pharma wants to keep you sick and make a profit. Don’t take any of those man-made drugs!

It’s all about your gut health! If you quit eating processed food, you’d heal!

Veganism is the way to go – it has the power to heal anything.

If you aren’t feeling better on the Autoimmune Protocol Diet, you’re either cheating or haven’t done it long enough.

My cousin sells essential oils…

How I respond

I always try to remain calm and polite, but I do put a firm boundary up as soon as the advice begins. Some things I’ve told people

Thanks, but I don’t take medical advice from social media.

I’ve heard about that idea, but there isn’t currently any double-blind, peer reviewed research showing [whatever] is effective.

I trust my doctors, thanks for your concern.

Sometimes people need pharmaceuticals – and many researchers do get into the field specifically to solve a problem or help people – and cures have been found for many things that used to be fatal.

I’m really comfortable with the healthy eating plan I’ve chosen to follow.

Sometimes people will continue to push and argue, and in that case, it’s usually a quick toodle-oo from me! I’ve become a pro at changing topics or flat out saying that I don’t want to talk about my health anymore.