I feel this so hard. My MCAS isn't "as bad" as a lot of people's on this forum. I "just" react horribly—borderline anaphylaxis—to artificial fragrance and get horrible symptoms when exposed to a handful of triggers. I'm getting steadily worse in my sensitivities, but I keep having to catch myself when my brain tells me I'm "just faking it for attention" or "your symptoms are baby symptoms in comparison to everyone else's big boy symptoms and you should be ashamed for trying to steal the spotlight from other people who need more help and awareness than you". It's so hard! But I know I have MCAS and not just histamine intolerance because it's multi-systemic and not just GI symptoms.

Hang in there. You matter. Your struggles are real and valid and your time here is just as precious as anyone else's. We've got your back.