(I only chose the title bc I couldn't find Health Problems)
The story
Hey guys, so, it's that same 13 y/o kid speaking. Being a teen isn't as bad as I thought (well, I find myself not relating to movies like "Eighth Grade" or "Euphoria", ironically), but now I'm way more scared of the health issues and my looks. I have eczema, and now I have allergies to cat hair in abundance. I hate both of them, I wish I could wear certain clothes and not just cotton, I wish I had a style and not just random t-shirts, shorts, and I wish I could look good in girly clothes without feeling weird or feeling like my arms are too hairy, and I wish I could now rub my face in a cat and tickle them without sneezing a lot. A doctor realized my adenoids and tonsils are very sensitive, and I sometimes cough when I run too fast without water. Look, at 13, at least in where I live, nobody does the stuff folks maybe do in shows from the USA, like smoking, drugs, narcotics or s-x, and I love that, but I feel sometimes bad about how I look. Like, I think I'm getting asthma now. Let's face it. My grandma has asthma, my deceased great-grandma had eczema, and eczema, allergies, and asthma are all part of the atopic triad. Please, folks who are 13 with asthma, can you tell me what it's like? Because I feel like if I ever get diagnosed with it, my life is done for. The final nail in my coffin of stupid chronic illnesses. I red somewhere it will cut your life off by 18 years. Assuming humans live til 80, I probably die at 62. My grandma may be alive at 64, but still, I feel scared if I ever get diagnosed because for me, that's a sign I'm not normal and I'm, well, deeply flawed and torn from the day I was born. Just please, can anyone tell me what it's like?
Stories in the same category
Points of view
Yo, I feel ya big time on this one. Being 13 is like a wild ride, right? 😅 Trust me, we all freaking go through this stuff where we overthink everything that’s so-called "wrong" with us. But hey, don't let those allergies and eczema get you down, for real! I had eczema too, always itching and feeling like a human cactus, lol.
I swear, every pimple felt like the end of the world back then. People used to joke about my skin, but like, now I kinda just roll with it. You've got to embrace the quirks, like seriously, it’s what makes you real. Girly clothes or whatever you feel good in, just rock it, you know? I’ve got some funky allergies myself and yessss, it’s annoying, but life goes on, dude. 🤟
Asthma is not the end, I promise you that. My cousin was diagnosed with asthma when she was your age, still running marathons now! 💪😂 I know it can be such a mental thing, making you feel like you’re stuck in this never-ending loop of "I can’t", but nah, you so can!!! Keep your chin up, you're good just the way you are.
Wait, she can run fine? And how does eczema feel for you, huh?
My cousin still runs fine ==> she just knows her limits and uses her inhaler. For me, eczema was mostly itch and irritation from sweat or soaps. Once you know your triggers, it’s way easier to handle. 💪
I've had mine since I was 2, how about you?
Wow, since 2? Mine kicked in around 9... felt like my skin declared war overnight. Been a rollercoaster ever since..
Hehe. Yeah. I sometimes wish I could have and rub a fluffy-ah cat, but I can't because of hair risks. I feel if I get any other pet, like a lizard, rat, frog or fish, I just can't find that same love connection, and if I got those, no hate to them, but I feel it won't be there. They'll only see me as a food-giver, not exactly a, you know, parent. And that would make me feel bad because I'm not normal.
I get that. Cats and dogs feel like family in a way scales or fins can’t. But honestly, 'normal' is a myth—your bond doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Even a little gecko staring at you like you’re a giant snack can turn into love over time 😍
How, they lack that emotional capability. They're just lizards, not anything else. I mean, geckos smile, but come on, they're still lizards, not emotionally intelligent beings. Even cats are smarter!
Yeah, I agree... but you end up getting attached to it 😅
being 13, well, it's pretty overwhelming, but seriously, don't blow things out of proportion ;-) eczema and allergies might be annoying, sure, but they ain't the end of the world, dude! loads of people go through life dealing with that stuff and are perfectly fine!!! ever thought of chat with a dermatologist or an allergist to keep it under control!?
i get that the whole deal with asthma seems daunting, but c’mon, feel lucky we’ve got advanced meds now that work wonders!!! feeling different 'cause of eczema or asthma doesn't make you any less awesome, ya know? "normal" is overrated anyway. you might not be living like a TV character, but why would you wanna do that, huh?! real life's got its good stuff. give yourself a break!!! maybe you've read that thing about losing 18 years of life, but who comes up with these numbers anyway??? what matters is how you live those years, not the number. focus on that!!!
Well, I'm scared to, in a way. And to be honest, I sometimes feel like me binge-eating some junk would make me feel better, even when I vomit if I eat too much, at least if I die, it'll make it sweet. I don't think I'm exactly suicidal, but, you know, that will make me feel kinda bad if I ever get diagnosed.
I completely understand and resonate with your feelings about being a teenager dealing with health issues. It's not easy managing conditions like eczema and allergies, especially when they impact your daily life and self-esteem. The worries about asthma are valid; it's daunting to consider more health challenges on top of what you're already facing.
Rest assured, these conditions won't define your entire life. Many people successfully navigate similar challenges and still lead fulfilling lives. Remember, everyone has their unique struggles; it's about finding the best way to manage them. You're not alone, and your concerns are absolutely valid. Keep your spirits up and focus on the positivity around you. You're doing great, and there's always support out there for you. 🌟