I am 55 have severe arthritis, osteoporosis, allergies, fibromyalgia and bipolar. I can talk about the first two without problem. The allergies raise eyebrows. The fibromyalgia and bipolar lead to very quick changes of subject. Go figure!

First, “what is fibromyalgia?”, “ are you in a lot of pain?”, “They haven’t proven fibromyalgia exists”, “Lots of doctors don’t believe in it” — yeah?

Second, “But you don’t seem like you have bipolar”, “ Must be mild case”, “you should give up work”, “you should put your Mum (who has dementia and lives with me) in a nursing home” and my favourite “is that why you get angry” (no, I get angry because I’m pissed off with something/someone!).

I’m sure MANY of you know exactly what I’m talking about, but I needed to vent!!!

So many thanks for your article, Elizabeth!!!!