Graphic details

[Sarah]

I notice the tone lately is giving everyone graphic details of their body - what comes out of every opening and I wonder if that is necessary.  Is this the topic of conversation in your household.  To use Dr. Phil's line "How much fun are you to live with?"  The graphic details make me not want to eat lunch after reading it and I don't find it too helpful with Sjogren's. 

[Shani]

These Forums are to ask for advice and communicate with other people whom also suffer from the same symptoms and Sjogren itself.

Some people are concerned when they develop a new issue or one isn't improving.
Yes I know the doctor whom treats you is the person you should mention such problems too.
But sometimes people cannot reach their doctor fast or can't get in sooner when they have an appointment in like two weeks or more.
So they come here for ask for advice, it can be 'embarassing' to ask such questions about stools, urination and everything that has to do with that.
But it might actually help them by asking, or make them feel less worried.


They are just looking for help, and sometimes it needs a more specific explaination so other people can offer advice.
After all we all are in the same boat and I don't think any question is stupid, disgusting, gross,...
Of course that is my opinion about that.

I would say that if you get disgusted by reading very specific explainations by fellow Sjoggies of certain problems that are GI or urinary/feminine related.
You should just skip those topics and don't continue reading if you come across one and didn't know what the discussion was about.

[Prairie Gal]

As a famous person supposedly said, "Life is messy."  And that's the truth.

[Sarah]

Shani,
I am well aware of what this board is about - I have been on it for years.  But LATELY it seems like some people like to go into very gross details and it has nothing to do with not getting in to see their doctor.  I have had Sjogren's for years and I don't feel I have to give every detail that is not helpful.  I am in the same boat as everyone else.  Questions of any kind do not offend me.  But who cares about snot?  Who cares about every detail of poop?  I worked in a hospital and am well aware of everyone's bodies and have never been disgusted by them, but I found most people like to be a bit more dignified.  But maybe poop and snot are more comfortable in your vocabulary.  Don't be so condescending.  I certainly know that I don't have to continue reading when a person seems so bent on telling us about snot running down his/her face.

[Sha]

Hi Sarah~

The graphic details don't bother me cuz maybe I'm too embarrassed to ask the question that someone else finally got up enough nerve to post about. I think we are all in the same boat one way or another...like ya said. I hope you still find the boards helpful!

As for my Shani girl...I don't think she was trying to be condescending! If you've been reading the boards for a while, try to remember she is 16 and one of the most SWEETEST AND CARING people on the board!;) I read her post as a kind suggestion so you didn't have to be so disturbed about the content of a post.

I hope you continue to post and read through the board...we all contribute some how, even if it is to listen to a poop story cuz no one else understands like we do!;) You said you worked in a hospital and it didn't bother you. Could you maybe share your expertice on some of these threads so we could benefit from your knowledge on those hard to talk about subjects?

Sha~ post was written with compassion...just FYI cuz ya never can read the '!' And '.' and know if it's being sarcastic or condescending.

[deeindiana]

This is just my humble opinion:
I appreciate that we are all free to talk about all our bodily details on this discussion board. It helps me to compare the symptoms of others to problems that I'm having myself. There are things that we don't want to discuss with our spouse or friends. But here we can be brutally honest without embarrassment and, hopefully, find some answers to our fears and pain.

My apologies if I've misunderstood the point of your post. I don't recall some of the comments your specifically mentioned (snot & poop). But I'd hate to see people feel the need to censor the descriptions of any real SS symptoms that might help others.
Deb

[eyeamdry]

Everyone--please let's stop acting all out of joint and "sorry" if we have said anything "to offend anyone."  One person or two posts something and many of the rest jump out and say, "oh my, I hope it wasn't me."  Usually, if it was you (or me) someone has probably told us in PM or some other way. 

Please get back on track and stop  doing what I call the slingshot.  This is when "we're all sorry for everything."  I do not mean to imply there are not some annoying posts,  but can't the majority act as is we are at least somewhat appreciative of this forum?  No, I'm not sorry.  (I don't think I offended anyone.)

[BonusMom]

Ditto!

[Sandisue]

Hi Everyone,

I'm definitely new to this board and Sjogrens. I mean, I just found out this week. I don't want everyone close to me thinking I'm all about my illness and make them uncomfortable. But you guys are living this thing with me, and sharing your information (no matter how gross or embarrassing) it helps me. Truth be known, sometimes I feel like I'm going crazy with all these things my body is going through. 

So please, post away, help me to understand. You guys are making me feel better by sharing.

Hugs,
Sandisue

[LizPetillo]

I notice the tone lately is giving everyone graphic details of their body - what comes out of every opening and I wonder if that is necessary.  Is this the topic of conversation in your household. 

1 - YES, this is the topic of conversation at times with my husband.  It's necessary to keep the spouse updated on changes and conditions in my body.  It's an adult conversation and totally necessary.

2 - This is a place for people with Sjogrens to come and to openly discuss what is happening.  This isn't a tea party or a garden party.  This is reality. 

The graphic details make me not want to eat lunch after reading it and I don't find it too helpful with Sjogren's.

Then dont' read it.   

[Suzie]

I agree 100% with everyone who has responded to your post, Sarah, telling you we have to discuss our bodily functions here. Shani put it sensivitely and eloquently as she always does. 

It is absolutely crucial to our sanity and well-being to share details that very few - if any - people in our day to day lives can help us with. Or want to hear about. We are here looking for sympathy and fellow-feeling and to share our hard-won experiences. It can help us come to terms with our difficult and messy episodes to help others in the same position.

Sha is absolutely right - if you have medical experience that might help, please share it. But eyeamdry is also spot-on when she says we don't have to apologise to you.

If, as you say, you "don't find it too helpful with Sjogren's" then maybe you are one of the lucky Sjogren's people who don't suffer from the more "disgusting" symptoms that some of us endure.

"Who cares about every detail of poop?' - well I for one am immensely grateful to read other people's experiences and advice - no matter how graphic.

"How much fun are you to live with?" you ask. Alot more fun than I'd be without brave people sharing the "very gross details" that you think are "not helpful" or "dignified". "Don't be so condescending" you rather rudely say. Take your own advice.

My guts are flaring at the moment and I'm miserable and in pain. THANK G-D I have this board to turn to. Skip the posts you don't want to read. Sensible people do.

Suzie

[navydad]

Oh Dear God,, 

[anita]

Interesting how you changed your identity to a "guest". 

I'm with all the rest and if you don't want to read the details, then don't open a thread entitled, Constipation discussion, GI problems, etc.  If I'm not mistaken, everyone still has a right to CHOOSE what they want to read.

[littleme]

Oh Dear God,, 

My thoughts exactly.  Look for a uplifting post in a few seconds.

[Lily]

Okay - those of you who think certain topics are okay - nobody's stopping you from going for it.

Those who don't, it would be better to simply stay away because if you put up a topic about not thinking some of them aren't particularly appropriate, you will get slapped down by some as Sarah just was.

Lily