The psychological impact of living with pain

Well' yes there is a price on the psyche, of living constant pain, for so much of your daily life is given over to thinking of what you can do and the day to day planning of what is best

[EDIT: Image removed]

[welshnut]

Has this post changed as Bob your reply makes no sense to me but maybe there was more to the original post.

In answer my whole life is about planning around pain and capability, everything from how I will get out of bed in the morning to how I will go to the toilet or make a coffee. So it is not possible to separate life from pain the two meld into one constant flow of day to day life.

nutty

[Hidden in reply to welshnut]

Sorry Nutty there was to much negativity regarding this post, I have explained in two posts below Sadly the person seemed eaten up with their complaint it had upset the positive feeling we need to have to continue in a negative world

BOB

[Bananas5 in reply to Hidden]

Explain to me please Bob - what the hell is this all about?

Pat x

[Hidden in reply to Bananas5]

Hello Pat,

When I saw this script, the negativity I felt from this persons writing was negative to an extreme, when I was doing my duties in Mental Health we were on an understanding to bring the person out, there was in this post no way to try and assist. and give support

Another problem that had effected me was the photograph on the header, I was wrong to let that get to me, sadly it did.

A while ago I was in the midst of being a travel writer, my area of concern was the Middle East, leading through all the trouble areas overland. We were on a visit to Yemen and Ethiopia, one of the disabled on a tour was kidnapped and murdered, We had to be repatriated urgently as we had been threatened by the terrorist organisations to get out We went through the same problems in Israel, when tourists were shot on a coach. The Taxi driver took us out of our way to where the murder took place, we thought we were kidnapped. as they took us way out of our destination

Sorry If I have let you all down I need time too sort myself out with my medications. I Even I was not there when this person was shot I imagine her walking up the slope and with her walking stick been shot in the head

The photograph above just brought it all back to me, guns, flag and seeming attitude.

The attitude here is type print and give assistance and support

All the best

BOB

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I think there was a good case for letting this one stand Bob. You have too much personal reaction to it and could maybe do with some help to take that charge away. You still seem traumatised. I think Alexander has done some fair reporting and we should not pretend chronic pain is better than it is. Members already show things can get a lot better as we adjust. Do we want people to think we are sanitising the truth? Wishing you better, what a dreadful experience

[Reykua]

A very thought provoking picture. Yes, Bob is right, a picture says a thousand words and in the case of Chronic Pain, this one seems very apt.

I'm not sure I agree with Bob's position in terms of relating what exactly your ailment is or conditions are. You have every right to your privacy and without having any of that information, knowledge or even advice to give, we can, on this forum, still empathise with how you may be feeling about your situation and how you feel or believe it is impacting on you and your day to day quality of life and wellbeing.

I can however agree with Bob that we strive to 'encourage one another to remain positive' on this forum and it may well be that someone on this forum will be able to provide you with just the right sort of support and advice to enable you to cope and move forward in a positive way - especially if they can fully relate to your particular condition.

While you decide which course of action is best for you, please do not isolate yourself as we are want to do when we're in pain and everything feels like it's just too much to cope with. Some conditions/ailments are also inextricably linked with clinical depression. Do reach out as much as you feel able and all of us will do what we can to 'hear you' and provide the much needed listening ear and support.

Stay Positive, pace yourself and have a good day.

[Hidden in reply to Reykua]

It is not what is wrong or needing to know what is wrong, it is the negativity I felt in the original post

It is no good banging on the GP/Specialists desk it is realizing we need to move on in a place of not our making. and assist people who are helping, sorry to much negativity, even the photo was so negative for this site.

BOB

[Hidden]

The picture is a metaphor...

[docnai]

what has politics got to do with pain?

[Hidden]

Well it stops us moaning, and it is not political it is a metaphor for how I think pain acts , how much pain comes from the gun, but you sometimes shout out at it and stand up to it like you do to bullies, and pain steals your body like some have their land and bodies taken from them at the point of a gun, and I'm sorry you think it's political, as I am non religious and do not support any political party... please just see it for what it is as it is the picture I use on all my post's and Blog

[Hidden]

I understand you, Alexander, pain holds us to ransom whether we do things or not, it terrorises us into inactivity because there is a very fine line between ability and over doing things. Even on a relatively good day, we conform to what we know is safe because we don't want to upset the beast, payback is so much worse after a good day.

As for whether the image is suitable or not for this forum is irrelevant, it means something to Alexander, he has advertantly or inadvertantly caused a discussion. He has made us query our own comfort, ideas etc. Pain is not nice and no matter how you dress it up with flowers and butterflies, it will still be pain.

Bob, I understand why it seems negative and why it may seem hurtful rather than helpful. The truth hurts. Pain is pain is pain. No getting away from it. It's a similar reaction the starving children in Africa. We in the UK have known all our lives that thousands of children die each year from starvation. It is not until we see the actual horrors, not just starvation, but orphans, poor or no water, no housing that we are compelled to act by giving a donation. This picture of Alexander's is just providing the same vehicle as one of starving children. The truth hurts.

But we can control our psyche to a certain extent, numb the pain for a few hours just by meditating. The brain is very powerful. Eventually, you will stop wondering how you will get out of bed, because you are already out of bed, sounds amazing and you can do it with a little guidance, time and effort.

I think the image is positive -the guy who is us is shouting back at the guy with the gun (pain). He's not intimidated by it or giving in to it, he is challenging it. And surely we challenge our pain everyday, every hour just by being alive?

[welshnut]

The image is indeed evocative and can be interpreted in many ways, for me I felt the desperation of the soldier obviously not wanting to harm the passionate young man.

Sometimes pain makes us negative, drags the hope from within us and leaves us frustrated and feeling helpless it is a space none of us like to be and none of us like to admit we are there.

We all need to be responsible for our words, thoughts and deeds and we all need to understand that what we write will impact on others in different ways. Here we are able to vocalise that through our posts to those that understand our suffering. The right to reply and discuss our own unique view point is what makes this place so special. So long as the post is not spam, misinformation or personal against any member it should be accepted as a valid point of view and open to reply and scrutiny.

My opinion only.

nutty

[Hidden in reply to welshnut]

A gun like a car accident or an illness can leave you in life long pain in a microsecond. You have no preparation for the consequences. That's how I took it, and entirely appropriate. As moderators/editors we have to be mindful not to let our own personal stories dominate a decision. Good wishes all.

[teadrinker]

I am sure that if each of us was asked to find a photo or image to represent our feelings about living with pain we would all come up with something different, and some of us would find some of those images unsettling. I don't like violence but I understand where Alexander is coming from. Pictures can often say far more than words.

[rowantree]

Maybe we should come up with a picture to represent our pain each. It would be a very stimulating discussion. We could have two seperate posts, one with disturbing pics so those who don't want to view them could not look at that thread. I'm going to think about what picture most represents my pain.

[welshnut in reply to rowantree]

a very interesting idea I may have a gander and see what resonates with me I have never thought of it in a visual way.

nutty

[johnsmith]

Interesting picture. Dealing with pain can be constructive or destructive. Fight pain and you end up as the picture above - two people wasting their time instead of being productive. Surrender to your pain and you get far more done. Not as much as when things were pain free.

"Job" in the Bible has a lot of wisdom of how to deal with pain. I learnt to study the subtleties of my pain. I have also learnt the exhaustion that goes with. The picture reminds me how of how I dealt with my pain when I first got it over 20 years ago.

[Hidden]

There are many ways to visualise pain, in my back for some reason I would picture two michelin men fighting in my back

[Bananas5]

Have I missed something?

David has described a picture of a soldier with a gun pointing at a young man. Is this right?

Married to a man who broke his back whilst serving with the Royal Navy and witnessed many friends blown to pieces by men with guns - this is not what he needs to see.

His CP is a result of similar men with guns and with Remembrance Sunday coming up I for one find this extremely distasteful and hurtful.

Perhaps someone would be kind enough to explain the significance.

Pat x

[Reykua]

Hello Bob,

It wasn't my intention to offend you with my response to AlexanderMacDonald and if I did, I apologise.

I was just concerned that the tone of your post would deter him from remaining on the forum and benefitting from the very real support others have received. I understand your need to stamp out Negativity at this point in your struggle - unfortunately, others are just not quite there yet.

Please do not forget that not everyone is as articulate as you at communicating their ills, needs and concerns. Some, will just shout out in anger and fear - which is often where their mindset is at and where depression lives. Some of your posts have greatly benefitted me and others on the forum and I for one always look forward to reading your responses.

Zanna has conveyed exactly what I was thinking and I'm glad the discussion has been opened up and everyone is doing what they do best - endeavouring to understand what members are trying to say and respectfully supporting and encouraging each other as best we can.

Remain Positive.

[Hidden]

This reminds me Reykua of when looking for a nursing home for my late Father the Matron said she took no 'depressives'. It's NORMAL to be depressed when removed from ones home just as when we are moving through the mourning when we get Pain. We should include everyone, just not rants.

[Hidden]

We have removed the image from this post due to its political nature.

Pain Concern

[Hidden]

Ah' goodbye

[Calceolaria]

What a very interesting post. Thank you all.

[nedd]

Just a poem

In all of the world there is nobody, nobody like you.

Since the beginning of time there has never been another person like you.

Nobody has your smile, your eyes, your hands, your hair.

Nobody owns your handwriting, your voice.

You're Special.

Nobody can paint brush strokes, nobody has your taste for food or music or dance or art.

Nobody in the universe sees things as you do.

In all time there has never been anyone who laughs exactly your way, and what makes you laugh or cry or think may have totally different response in another, So--You're Special.

You're different from any other person who has ever lived in the history of the universe.

You are the only one in the whole creation who has your particular set of abilities.

There is always someone who is better at one thing or another.

Every person is your superior in at least one way.

Nobody in the universe can reach the quality of the combination of your talents, your feelings.

Like a roomful of musical instruments some might excel in one way or another,

but nobody can match the symphonic sound when all are played together, Your Symphony.

Through all eternity no one will ever walk, talk, think or do exactly like you. You're Special.

You're rare and in all rarity there is enormous value.

You're Special, and it is no accident you are.

Please realize that God made you for a special purpose.

He has a job for you to do that nobody else can do as well as you can.

Out of the billions of applications only one is qualified.

Only one has the unique and right combination of what it takes and that one is you.

You're Special !!!

Gawd knows what him up there was thinking I'd be uniquely qualified at but ours is not to reason why.

We are all made of star dust.