Unpopular opinion about self-diagnosis
First off, I fully understand the struggle to get a diagnosis. The gaslighting and gatekeeping is real. So many of us go through so much just to get basic treatment, and then when that isn't effective we have to keep fighting for the next step.
But we have to talk about this.
Memes that equate "symptoms of life" with autoimmune disease and tell people not to take no for an answer and insist their doctors diagnose them are getting out of control.
Especially memes correlating neurodivergence with undiagnosed EDS.
There absolutely might be a connection. But more and more, every time I see any kind of medical practitioner other than my rheumatologist or discuss my disease, I have to provide a full medical history to "prove" that I am really sick because these diseases are now trendy. I've started to keep screenshots of my most recent blood levels on my phone.
I don't have answers. More visibility is a good thing, more people getting the care they need is a good thing. But when 9 patients out of 10 that approach a GP saying "I think I have X autoimmune condition" just read something online that said that if they don't like tags on their shirts and can touch their toes they have a connective tissue disease and need IVIG immediately, it makes it harder for those of us who are truly disabled to get care.