Fibro and IC affects Men too~

    Good evening my readers, I hope today you weren’t in too much pain. It was a hot day to day. I’m just relaxing this evening, and wanted to get at least 3 more entries in my IC blog before the end of this month. Tonight’s topic is an important one, they all are let me say that, but this one is one that tends to get pushed under the rug.”How do IC and Fibro affect Men?”

     Both IC and fibromyalgia are complex diseases. Many suffer in silence without a voice, behind closes doors. IC and fibro do not discriminate against woman or men. What needs to be re-emphases is that both suffer with these. Both are affected differently, yet were all fighting this tiresome battle on a daily basis. It looks different, but we need to remember this above all else, WE all are a family; we need to start opening our hearts to the men out there who feel alone and isolated.

       There is already a stigma of these diseases, so think about how these men are feeling? How can we make a difference in the IC and fibro communities so these men, don’t retreat into them and isolate and become depressed. Men need to know and to believe us that we aren’t pushing them aside. We need to help them speak out and find their own voices.

   Woman are usually more in tune to  their emotions, that’s just the way we are made.We are able to usually open up and express our feelings, we need to help  men to the same.Let them know first off they aren’t alone, and they aren’t outsiders to our family. Help these men to know that these diseases will affect them differently, so they need to communicate this to their doctors so a diagnosis is made and treatments are given in a timely manner, and not overlooked.

   Men tend to tolerate pain in a different manner, part because that’s the way they are made, and sadly the way society expects them to react. Men in general are made different, so their doctors need to address their   individual needs.

   We need to encourage men to talk openly about their pain, not to hide behind their tough exterior, take off their masks. Talk about how they feel in healthy ways, so their inner turmoil doesn’t turn into deep depression. Dealing with a chronic illness for anybody can bring on depression, but what happens when men are looked upon by society as weak or failures or not good providers for their families.

 Being able to provide for their families, is part of what gives a man his self worth. When a man’s health is in jeopardy, they may tend to sacrifice their own well being to provide, they don’t want to be looked down upon as a MAN or a provider.

   I have a message for all you men out there who have IC or fibro or both. All who are suffering in pain, just like us. Who may feel like a failure, who may feel shameful or weak, all the while feeling left out in the cold of loneliness….You are none of those things. YOU all are courageous warriors. And you deserve the same respect, love and understanding as us woman. You are not alone. You need to give us TLC… tender loving care, is not just for woman, you need to care for yourselves.

     Ive written about the fact that many woman tend to put themselves down when it comes to being a good mother to their children, so I will tell you the same thing ive told them, if you don’t care for yourself, then you won’t be able to provide for your families, and providing for them and being there for them, doesn’t always mean financially, there are many of us who can’t work, but you’re doing the best you can, then you have given your families the best! You are fighting this war too! Its ok to break down and cry, you are not weak, you are human, you feel, you cry tears just like we do.

  I know it feels like a raging storm has come in and swept in and left chaos in your lives.ill say it again, until it sinks in, you’re not alone, were all here for you Men. Please don’t let this disease define you asa man, don’t let society or your own voice speak negative to you. You didn’t ask for this disease to come in and wreck havoc. None of us did. You have IC or Fibro, they DON’T have YOU!

  Open your hearts, let us shine light into the dark crevices of your pain, its ok to cry, its ok to break down,  just reminding you, just because you’re a man with these diseases doesn’t mean, you have to be tough and not let it affect you, you are LOVED!      YOUR worth is not defined by what you can’t do, but by ALL you’ve overcome and the courageous warriors you are!