Have you ever had your symptoms dismissed, only to turn out to be something important? Maybe a doctor brushed it off, or family members told you it was all in your head. But, deep down, you knew something wasn’t right.
I knew for a long time that something wasn’t right with my vision, but it wasn’t until an optometrist made visible what had seemed invisible that I finally got real answers. And if that’s where you are on your health journey, I hope my story helps you feel a little less alone.
The moment my invisible condition became visible happened during what I thought would be a routine visit to the optometrist. For months, I had been experiencing blurred vision and occasional moments of blindness. One moment, I’d be sitting at work, and suddenly, I was unable to clearly see my laptop screen. However, the terrifying moment came after commuting to work, as I walked into the office, everything suddenly went blurry.
That was the moment I decided I couldn’t ignore it anymore.
Immediately, I scheduled an appointment with my optometrist because I assumed I just needed a new prescription. But during that visit, my optometrist discovered inflammation in the back of my eye. That led to further testing and investigation, which revealed a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, and pericentral retinitis pigmentosa (PRP).
What I thought was a vision problem turned out to be something much bigger. And it taught me three lessons that I want to share with you today.
Lesson #1: Just Because You Don’t Have a Diagnosis Doesn’t Mean Your Symptoms Aren’t Serious
Too often, we’re made to feel we need to wait for a diagnosis before we’re allowed to take our symptoms seriously. But your body doesn’t suddenly become worthy of attention the day a clinician gives your condition a name. Your symptoms should be taken seriously, regardless of what diagnosis you do or don’t have.
That’s why you must remember that you know your body better than anyone else. If something feels off, it’s worth investigating.
Lesson #2: Following the Rules Doesn’t Guarantee That You Won’t Experience Disease
Many of us have been taught that if we don’t eat the right foods, exercise consistently, and manage our stress, we’re going to get sick. But the harsh reality is that health doesn’t work that way. Disease can be influenced by everything from genetics to environmental exposure. In other words, there are factors completely outside of our control that can impact our health.
For that reason, you must remember you can do everything right and still get sick. So, stop treating your sickness as a personal failure, because it isn’t.
Lesson #3: Struggling With Your Health Doesn’t Mean There’s Something Wrong With You
This is the lesson I wish more Black women heard. There are many conditions, including my PRP, where researchers and physicians still don’t fully understand the root cause. So how can we blame ourselves for something that even the best medical minds haven’t figured out?
This is your reminder not to internalize illness as evidence that you’ve failed. Having a health condition is not a character flaw, and your diagnosis is not proof that you did something wrong.
If you’re carrying symptoms, concerns, or experiences that you’ve been told to ignore, I want to encourage you to keep asking questions, seeking second opinions, and trusting yourself enough to investigate further.
And, I’d love to hear from you!
Was there a moment when you realized your body wasn’t the problem? Or, have you ever had a symptom dismissed that later turned out to be something important? Let us know in the comments!
