So many people in pain.

[eightyplus]

So many people in pain, so many needing a little encouragement or a word of advice.

Every morning I find myself with one finger poised over the keyboard wondering who to reply to, and, as the morning passes on realise that I haven’t written anything at all, and all of those clever, witty answers that I had in my head were exactly that, just answers that I had in my head and nothing more.

It was so much easier when I was young, words flowed so much easier, not having to grope in the recess of an invalided mind seeking the right answer.

This forum has become a lifeline to so many people and I agonise when I read so many letters and don’t know how to reply to them or to help.

I see many people are trying to give up smoking, a difficulty that I understand only too well. Each person has his own demons and needs to be treated individually, how does one do that if half a dozen different people are posting the same subject at the same time?

Coming here each morning makes me breathless, I have to cross the sitting room to the desktop computer, I can’t see well enough to use the Laptop anymore, but the trip is more than worth it.

Every post on here has a meaning, there is nothing that is trivial, just people reaching out, just the same as I am, be it for a smile or a tip picked up that will make our lives easier, and who knows better than we do what it is like to struggle to breathe?

I think that this afternoon I am finding myself in La La land or at the very least borderline insanity and blame it on the sun that I believe I saw very briefly a moment ago and as I write is bursting out of the clouds once more . . . . . . . again life is good and at the end of the day just being alive is good enough, and it sure beats the hell out of the alternative.

[huggs]

Hi there eightyplus, You know what comes across so eloquently in your post, and that is that you care very much about us all. You post a lot of good jokes which makes us laugh or smile. You write very well, so keep that up and keep posting. I empathsise with you when you say that the words don't come so easily any more. I am guessing that I am a bit younger than you, but I have several forms of epilepsy, and when I am recovering from one type of seizure or another I cannot form even simple words properly. Or I have vague disjointed thoughts in my head but cannot communicate. The memory is also affected so I forget how to turn on the tv or work the phone. None of that really matters at the end of the day. When I have better days, I try to make up for it. You cannot solve everybody's problems so if you feel you can answer just choose a couple that you know you can respond to, with shorter answers. Not like me, when I rabbit on!! I have such a bad habit of not using paragraphs, which I do not understand. I mean I do not understand why I don't use paragraphs-- probably just a bad habit I have developed. I must stop it.!! I know what you mean about the sun, because its been scorching all day here until about an hour ago and its now clouding over and getting a bit colder. We have a yellow alert rain warning from the met office for tomorrow. So that's probably a good time for Stone and I to compile a list of abbreviations . Well, actually he will be doing most of it, with some input from me. Have you read about it? I posted a question a couple of days ago about the use of abbreviations, and the response has been so positive and more than I expected, and now I feel that we should categorise and list the abbreviations in a format that people can print. Keep on reading, writing and posting.!! Hope you are well. hugs xx

[cofdrop-UK]

What a lovely post eightyplus - you have a nice style of writing.

love cx

[Mocarey]

Thank you for your lovely post eightyplus. it was thought provoking. M x

[Puffthemagicdragon]

What a lovely post 80+ !

Yes, I am a lazy writer now and again !

[Louisiana]

I've only just joined this intriguing group and I am bowled over by all the information, the camaraderie between strangers and the kindness . 80plus your writing is a joy....I am 76 and miss reading your type of musings....thank you! I do hope you have had a nice day and that tomorrow will be even kinder to you.

[huggs in reply to Louisiana]

Hi Louisiana, I see that you are very pleased that the list has been done ( by Stone), and I am so delighted about it. It seems that a lot of people wanted something like this and now thanks to stone and all the other contributors we have it. I am so pleased that you are so excited about it. Take care and keep well. hugs xxx

[Louisiana in reply to huggs]

thank you thank you

[hufferpuffer]

Hello eightyplus, I enjoyed reading your post and it's so nice to know that someone else feels just like I do! When you are sensitive to the plight of others it can all feel quite overwhelming at times, I wish I could find the words to help but sometimes it feels like more than words are needed or that I just don't know enough to be of any help!

Time for bed for me, I've just used up my last cylinder messing about in the garden till it became difficult to see

Good night 8T+ and may tomorrow be a good day for us all! huff xxx

[dwitt]

Fear of pending death gave me the motivation to stop smoking. I smoke for 37 years and have been smoke free for 14. As to pain I hate medications because they all have side effects. I found that a tens unit (electric stim) help tremendously as it confuses the pain signal, in the nerves, going to the brain. Then there is cold.. I use a cryo machine it basically a plastic thermo picnic basic, instead of beer one fills it with ice and water, a pump then circulates the cold water by a hose connected to a bladder which is laid down over the pain area. Acupuncture did work for me for a pain behind the shoulder blade. Exercise with the aide of someone in sports medicine can help. Then there is hypnosis. There are answers maybe one day medical science will use stem cell repair or they will have a better definition on what is wrong so exact prescribe formula for a cure can be given.

There is a nother answer - may sound hard to believe but I have many health issues and many surgeries, I believe the body learns to deal with chronic pain and it makes it more tolerable. I have learn not to need pain killers. I still have a very good life force and enjoy many things. I guess having a positive attitude is the best answer. Never feel sorry for those in pain just be a comforting advocate for people in need of help. Feeling sorry for oneself hasn't cured a darn thing.

[Offcut]

A well composed post keep them coming it was a joy to read.

Be Well

[eightyplus]

@dwitt.

Interesting theories there my friend, I'm just off for my afternoon nap so something to mull over as I drift quietly across the oceans from days long gone past.