Ah, the joys of autoimmunity. Luckily, while the struggle is often very real, we’re not alone in this! Here’s 20 things we think anyone with an autoimmune condition can relate to.
1. The joy of finding an AIP-friendly, pre-made snack
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2. The agony of having to explain what you can actually eat (and no, “gluten-free pasta” isn’t one of them)
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3. Literally HAVING to rest
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4. And Counting ALL the spoons . . .
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5. When you get sick, it’s not just the 24-hour bug; it’s an all-out battle
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6. The feeling you get when someone says “but you don’t look sick!”
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7. Planning your “exit strategy” for every event you attend (or at least locating the nearest restroom)
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8. You’re friends with the laboratory and pharmacy staff, and practically pull up in a VIP limo to your doctor’s office
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9. That amazing feeling you get when you have a good, symptom-free day
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10. Taking 10+ supplements on any given day
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11. Seeing 10+ doctors who think you’re crazy
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12. And wanting to kiss the one doctor who doesn’t
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13. Turning into self-proclaimed doctor and medical researcher wrapped into one
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14. That warm fuzzy feeling you get when someone just “gets it” or can relate to you
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15. That Christmas-morning-level excitement you get when a new AIP cookbook is released
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16. Glass tupperware…’nuff said.
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17. Becoming an expert label reader
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18. You understand the critical nature of meal planning
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19. And of having a very regimented bedtime routine
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20. But most of all, you know that even small wins, are big wins (going to the grocery store AND Target…all in one day!)
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Hahahah!!! Laugh out loud almost fell over hilarious!!! Wow, thank you, this is fantastic!!! <3
Haha – glad you enjoyed it, Kristen! 🙂
THIS IS LITERALLY THE BEST THING I’VE SEEN IN WEEKS.
Ha – woo, thanks, Charlotte! It was definitely fun to put together. 🙂
I love this too! I have two big dogs and a convertible. I’m going to try this look out this summer.
Freaking hilarious. It’s funny because it’s true! 🙂
Thanks, Erin! Glad you could relate! 🙂
Dead on! #8 had me rolling!
Like a boss! 🙂 Thanks for reading!
I think I scared my family by laughing so loud! This is frikkin’ awesome!! There wasn’t one I couldn’t relate to!! 😀
Ha ha! Well I hope your family has recovered from fright 😉 Glad you enjoyed – thanks for reading!
Sending this to everyone who knows about my diet!! Thank you Mitch and Britt!
🙂 You’re very welcome!
thanks for helping us to find humor in the real of our situations, this was great!
Mission: accomplished then! You’re welcome! 🙂
Thank you for making not feel alone. Right now I’m #5 and the boss just doesn’t get it.
Absolutely, Pam. I’m right there with you as I recover from seasonal gunk. Hang in there and feel better soon!
You did Awesome!! Oh so relate able!!
Thanks, Heidi! Glad you could relate 😀
You are in my tribe???? Thank you for the cameraderie and smile!!
I feel honored to be in the tribe! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Love Love this! Laughed so hard!
Thank you!
Woohoo – thanks! Glad it made you laugh 🙂
Hilarious!!! And ALL SO TRUE!!!! Thank you for sharing this and making me laugh at the craziness that is AIP in my life! 🙂
Heck yes – that’s what we were goin’ for! Thanks for reading 🙂
Please let my family and relatives read this, I am sure a few sisters n brother, cousins and aunts can relate!
Feel free to pass it along to your family members, Jane!
OMG #17… Me, at the grocery store!!!! So funny. Thanks!
Right? Haha – glad you can relate 🙂
Made my day!!!
Glad to hear that!
I have an autoimmune disease and I don’t get a lot of these. Specifically 1, 4, 8 and 15. Hmmm.. What is an AIP cookbook? An AIP snack and what does counting all the spoons mean? What does the P stand for in AIP? I feel like I am the only one who is not getting it. Sorry to be a buzzkill.
Hi, Patt! The P is for paleo. The counting of spoons is a way that people with fibro can explain the rationing of energy to their friends. I think #8 is just saying that you become like a celebrity at the Dr.s office because you have to go there so often and everyone knows you. I loved #3! You are not a buzzkill. I am not the author either. lol I just thought I’d answer you to be friendly. Can you explain the glass tupperware one to me? 🙂 Have a great day, Chris
Thank you for jumping in and explaining, Chris! Glass tupperware is popular amongst the community (as opposed to plastic), because it contains less chemicals and toxins, and you can heat it up more safely than plastic containers.
Thanks for asking Patt…I am only GFDF without AI and I didn’t get all the references either…I used to work in one of those Dr offices for a doc that DID GET IT…and knew his patients weren’t all crazy. They loved him, but the insurance companies were AWEFUL! and YOU ARE DEFINATELY NOT A BUZZ KILL! Everyone learns when someone asks a question!
Mitch,
Thanks for sharing…my community shared your post and it brought smiles to us all and let us know we aren’t alone out there!
You’re not a buzzkill, no worries! It sounds like Chris did a great job answering. In some cases, the ‘P’ can also mean “protocol” though – as in the Autoimmune Protocol, but also Autoimmune Paleo (both “AIP”) like Chris said. So, AIP cookbooks would be those tailored for that specific diet, and same goes for AIP-friendly snacks (which are notoriously challenging to find). Thanks for reading!
Thanks for the laugh Mitch! Outstandingly funny!
Thanks, Emma! So glad you got a good laugh out of it! 🙂
Loved it! Sharing the hell out of it ????
Heck yes – thanks for sharing!
This is awesome! i laughed so hard at the associated GIF, and kept saying “yup thats true” to all 20 comments. Great job!
Score! I’d say that’s a success then 🙂
What’s#4? Counting spoons? And #7 Exit Strategy?
Counting spoons refers to the Spoon Theory, which is commonly used to describe energy levels in those with autoimmune conditions and w/ chronic conditions. Exit strategy would be in case you need to leave unexpectedly due to extreme fatigue, feeling sick, etc., which can sometimes happen w/ AI conditions.
Fantastic! LOL! Newly diagnosed FINALLY,loved it !
Glad you enjoyed it, Tammy! 🙂
I sure needed the laugh today. Love it. So true
🙂 Happy to deliver a laugh!
This is my life- thank you Mitch!
Glad you can relate! 🙂
YAS! These made me giggle so hard because these are ALL me! LOL
Haha – great! Glad they gave you a good laugh 🙂
Thanks for the reminder that we’re not alone AND for introducing me to the spoon theory. Others really do understand!
Absolutely! You’re definitely not alone – there’s a whole thriving community behind you! 🙂
*I will add – people thinking that “remission” means “cured.” Remission is a daily battle that includes, diet, healing your gut, exercise (when you can), sleep and, sometimes most of all, stress reduction.
Yes!! So good to exercise those laugh muscles!! Thanks Mitch and Britt!!
Right on but I’m no sure I understand the counting the spoons reference. Good to laugh about it and know I’m not alone with my strangeness
Mitch im on my husbands cheer squad, im his meal planner, advocate and researcher lol. So I can relate too. Only the other night he said to me “why can’t I have GF pasta again…..oh thats right i remember now!!!”. As many others have said “thank you” its not so lonely out there when you can identify with others living with AIP and a bonus when you can also share a laugh.
I have had MS for years. When I first heard the spoons story I would have jumped for joy, if I could have jumped that is. Finally, I knew someone understood. I had a PCP once who said, but you look so good. He was so fired!
Love it!!!
This was a great laugh and can relate to almost every single one of them. It’s nice to be able to laugh about them as well once in a while! Great job!
I got that warm fuzzy feeling because I could relate to you. Thanks????
Brilliant!
LOVVVVE it! Both my boyfriend and I laughed (because he has seen me go through each of those)!
Not only was a thoroughly entertained by this but I printed it out so when people ask questions I just can show them this to make them understand. Saves me so much time trying to explain. Thank you great job.
Wow that’s awesome to hear, thank you! So glad it can help you explain to others what you’re going through. 🙂
Cracking up here, I can relate with a lot of them!!!!
I love love love this post! This is soooo true yet so hilarious. I definitely relate to being able to visit Target and the grocery store all in the same day, I feel so overjoyed like I just ran a marathon or found a pot of gold lol!!!! I have Lupus and those of you with Lupus or another autoimmune disease just know someone out there can relate! Thank you Mitch for making me laugh!
So glad it could make you laugh! And yes – those days when your errand game is on point are the best, haha. 🙂
Every single one is so relatable and true!! I needed this laugh. Thank you so much!! I will be referring to this post on any future rough days from now on. Thank you so much for bringing a smile to my face and a feeling of being understood. Autoimmunity can sometimes leave a lot of us feeling alone.
Nail it!! Thanks for the giggles!
So funny, so true, and I wanted to cry because someone understands fully!
Glad you enjoyed! I love being able to relate to others. 🙂
Spot on! With three auto immune diseases I can relate to ALL of these….entertaining but factual. Love it.
So funny and so true.. thanks for the laughs
Hahahahah!!!! Yes exactly!!! I can totally relate