Disease or Disorder!

I often see ITP mentioned as a disease and sometimes disorder. I prefer disorder but what is the correct word? Just pondering.

I don't think there is a right word. I prefer "disorder". Disease sounds ugly and contageous. I never use that word.

I once had a co-worker that I disliked say to me "So how are things going with your diseeeeeese". I wanted to deck her. That word is a pet peeve to me. Sorry - you got me started!

In dutch you can't really say disorder.. I don't like desease either but we don't really have an other word for it.. Wich sucks cus when you say diseas or illness people immediatly put on their: Oh I feel so sorry for you face.. lol

I agree with Sandi. Disease, to me, sounds like something contagious. I just say I have a platelet situation...lol That confuses people enough they don't ask any further questions.

I have an autoimmune condition, or sometimes I call it a platelet thingy.

Even if it is officially "disease" I don't have a disease, I'm not diseased!

[It's kind of like which came first the chicken or the egg - or what is a remission]

I say I have a platelet problem. Or platelet disorder. Never use the word disease, that's not what I have.

well...if you look up either word in the dictionary it technically be called either. I personally don't like disease either. When you say that you know the first thing people think is....."Ewwww, get away from me." Even when you say it's not contagious. When people ask me I say I have a blood disorder.

I don't care what it's called, but generally I refer to it as a syndrome, or autoimmune disease, but I have several autoimmune diseases, so I guess I'm just comfortable with it. When I describe my lupus, I say autoimmune disease, but if I'm talking about ITP, I do say disorder. I think I say disorder, because of the PDSA - Platelet Disorder Support Association. If I'm talking about APS, I say it's a syndrome, because it's Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. See... it doesn't really matter to me and I don't take the deck of cards I've been given, personally. It's just what it is and I just deal with it. I don't feel that it makes me less of a person, just because I happen to have been dealt these cards. In fact, because I feel I manage it all very well, as I think most of you do, I think I'm exceptional. Just look at the crap some people complain about. Often it's so not worth complaining, yet they can go on and on. I never go on and on about my lupus/APS/ITP/vasculitis and chronic hives and itching, I just deal with it. I think most of the people here do the same, so why complain about what ITP is called, just hold your head hi and know that you're dealing with what life has thrown you way, with dignity and moving on, despite the effects of the "disease, Syndrome, disorder, thingy" and the effects of the treatments. Call it a challenge if you like, that's an easy one.

Kim

Very well said!!!! I hope I can have that great attitude soon! I am still newly diagnosed or still being diagnosed and in the "confused?" and scared" stage. I will be glad when i can get to the place you are!!!!!

When i tell people, i usually just say i have a blood disorder.

Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease. This never made sense to me. Anyway I just say I have low platets. I hate having to explain the full ITP name, Ha. After 6 years my mom asked what is stands for and as an english teacher she had a good OH MY moment with this.

I just say my mom has a blood disorder, and if they ask more i say theres something wrong with her platlets-so she doesnt clot the same and bruises easily etc etc...i down play the severity often haha...blame oneup (whose mia-ness is busyness and not lack of love for you all )

Actually, I think I enjoy saying the full name of my autoimmune diseases, disorders, syndromes, challenges...

SLE - System Lupus Erythematosus

ITP - Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura

APS - Antiphospohlipid Antibody Syndrome.

See, fun.... and people think you know something when you can pronounce difficult medical terms. Add the fact that I can spell them too, Ha..I've seen doctors not say them correctly and spell them wrong.

haha Kim I know what you mean!

I did a presentation on ITP 3 weeks ago at school. My teacher was so inpressed as she felt like I sounded like a professional.
I also had this great laugh with my classmates.. I don't usualy get nervous before presentations.. But if you do.. and you have to give a presentation about ITP.. you'fd probably be out of time before you even started..:

"I'm doing my presentation about Idi.. Idiopathi.. Idiopathic.. Trrrrrrrrrrr.. Trombo.."

Etc.. LOL

Xx

Good for you doing a presentation...

Funny, the idi....idiopat...idiopathic.... I remember when I was first diagnosed.. I asked the hematologist how to pronounce it every time I saw him. I'd practice in front of him, then screw it up later and call it an immune disease, which in the 80's was probably not a good idea, people thought I had HIV - almost convinced me I had it, because I couldn't explain what I had. I remember asking my doctor "do I have HIV". He assured me I didn't of course, but since there was no place to look up information on ITP, I was completely lost as to what I actually had. Thank goodness for PDSA!

yes, this place is wonderful..!!! and i still cant say...the long version....IDT i can say...LOL.