Has lupus ever made you feel like a burden? Many members of MyLupusTeam share the feeling. “I don't understand this disease so I know it's difficult for other people to understand,” a member of MyLupusTeam wrote. "Without visible symptoms, family and friends don’t know what we're going through," another member commented. “I wish a light would appear so others knew the internal turmoil of this chameleon!” Members living with lupus derive great comfort from the supportive community on MyLupusTeam. “I share a lot of my recent or deepest feelings here for you all to read, maybe get a giggle, or just a brief reprieve from our suffering and stress,” one grateful member shared. Another member reassured: “We get it. We’re here for you. There’s no magic spell that fixes things, but the love we have for each other has great power!”

On MyLupusTeam, the social network and online support group for those living with lupus, members talk about a range of personal experiences and struggles. Feeling like a burden is one of the topics members frequently discuss.

Here are a few conversations about feeling like a burden:

• Sometimes it's just best to be alone, so I won't have to deal with people... until I get myself together.
• I try not to complain much, and I find myself downplaying many of my symptoms so I don't concern my parents so much.
• I rarely ever cry because I don't want my family to worry about me... But I caved in today & the best part is that I don't regret it for a moment.
• My boyfriend and I just broke up. I told him that if he ever felt like he had to become my caretaker/nurse/therapist to let me know and that it’s ok…