They really do not get it.

When I had the 5 days of no sleep last month from the IVSM (actually had the insomnia bad before the steroids...'roids just made it worse) My sister and b-in-law were awfully opinionated about my not being able to sleep.

She kept telling me that if I just turned off the tv that I should be able to sleep. (I tried already. Didnt work. If I'm awake, at least I want to be entertained)

Add to the insomnia that I was in some serious pain from spasticity and the most uncomfortable sensations from the numbness that I've ever felt, there was no sleeping to be had for me. (if I wasnt super stiff and spasming from the spasticity, the entire lower half of my body from just below my chest down to my feet felt like I was being burned alive)

I guess my sister is one of those people who either believe the myth that MS is painless, or she's just unable to understand that numbness is actually considered a type of pain. (her best friend also has MS. Not sure if her BFF has ever shared just how horrible MS is sometimes)

I never got all judgemental (to her face) about her problems with kidney stones, and I was appropriately sympathetic when she had an attack or two of kidney pain from kidney stones (or whatever was causing that)

I hate it when someone who has never experienced all the "fun" symptoms of MS tries to compare themselves to how you're feeling.

I try not to "one-up" my sister or my mom when they start comparing their pains to my pain. It's kind of funny to watch them do it tho. Sad funny, not "ha-ha" funny.