I get very angry when people say stupid things directed to me and my symptoms. They always downplay how I really feel. My other half for instance will ask how the doctors was or how I'm feeling and he instantly starts talking about all his aches and pains and says that he has the same symptoms... Pathetic.

i think it would take a personal opinion on this one hon..smile... that im not even going to attempt to answer..grin...that is getting into deep waters that i dont want to wade...grin..

i know my ex is a douch bag..as you so apptly phrased it..grin.. so i am bias...lol...

personally if anyone ever said that to me...i would throw my walker at them...grin..but then that is me..grin...

we each have our own level of tolerance..acceptance of what we can and cannot handle hon...and some couples on here i believe who are married both partners have MS..smile..so it is not impossbile...smile..

like i said not waters im wading into..grin..sorry

hugs
heather

hahaha. that's ok heather.

yeah, my current boyfriend will say things like that too Mags, but i know he does it to joke. sometimes i find it funny, sometimes now.

the ex was dead serious though. and for some reason i almost lost it on him. i'm not sure what he expected me to say? but, that's it. he's cut off.

When I told my ex that I had MS he said 'That's not too bad' and I was appalled at his insensitivity but as the months roll on I have learned to shrug such stupid remarks off. Now I get more pissed off with people who treat me as if I have only weeks left to live.

I think it depends on the relationship.

When my husband is forgetful, I tell him he "caught" MS from me, and we laugh. When he's clumsy, same thing. He jokes around the same way. But...when I'm in a mood, and he even attempts to make light of MS, WATCH OUT! He could end up with my numb foot up his ass.

People can't tell by looking I have MS. It took me a bit to explain so they could understand what MS fatigue was like.
For the folks I ran into, they couldn't see it, measure it, and it was even harder for me to explain it.
With time most were able to understand.
Don't make the mistake of taking their honest confusion for more than it is. Some try to use humor when they're concerned, and it comes out different than their intended meaning. (like on the boards here lol)
Figured if MS confused me, it must confuse them too.
Most did begin to understand, a very few never did.
I don't know your situation, but it takes time for people to understand in my experience.

No it's not just you.

And it's not just your ex either. There are lots of douche bags out there.

My husband has said things like "I think most of your symptoms are in your head". WHAT? All of my symptoms are in my head - It's a brain disease, stupid.

If your ex just can't get it and can't control his stupid mouth, cut him off from the joy of your presence. At least you have that luxury.

I'm 6 foot 4" and full of muscles, so they wouldn't say it to me in my face.
Joking, for the most part, people are decent. But you have to use a cane to get some sympathy first, then basically they'll say nice things and leave you alone.

Not sure why I find the cane/sympathy thing funny, but I'm cracking up over it!!! Having to use a cane not funny...but it so holds truth. If we don't look like something's wrong, then it's in our head.

Whoa, hey...You have to use a cane? Well, then you can go ahead and feel like crap today...

So, for some people to get the fact that you don't feel good, it takes visual aides...I understand it, though...

Doesn't mean I don't get ticked off when I miss a day of work and continually get asked if I had the flu...Seriously??? I would be the guiness book of world record holder for most times to have the flu EVER....

No people...I have MS...Geesh!

Right now I am sitting here reading about insensitive husbands & I feel very lucky.
My husband has got to be the most wonderfull of men who likes nothing more then to find ways to make me happy.
Sorry they are not all like him. Wish they were.

that is really infuriating. i'm sorry that you had to hear that, or that he even thought to say that. i honestly don't think you were overreacting. you deserve to be taken seriously, and that statement shows that at that moment at least, he doesn't take you seriously.

or.. i could be overreacting as well. i don't take things like that well. he should know now to never say anything like that again now.

Ain't it the truth, Knuckles. You gotta laugh sometimes or it'll destroy ya.

Speaking of canes....

My cane seems to have a mind of it's own (Or does it?) at times. I often, when irritated, speak with my hands, and forget I'm holding it. There have been many "accidental" knocks in the shins and man parts. Oops.

oh u mean USE a cane. i thought u were gonna whack them with it. i guess both is ok