Chronic Pain : I am at a loss when I come on... - Pain Concern

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Chronic Pain

coolpolitealex profile image
20 Replies

I am at a loss when I come on this site looking for other people "living with" "Chronic Pain" and most post's seem to be asking question's about pain and what it could be.

Now before everyone get's on their high horse and jumping up and down about yad e dad e da, yes' yes, I know, but there is a point I'm raising about the differences between people coping and managing with a Chronic condition etc,etc.

If people are looking for answers to what is causing their pain, (so many retired or practicing medical professionals visit here or even work in admin) then I suggest this is something else altogether ...in fact an advice site.

Well maybe it's time that a space was opened for people managing severe and "Chronic Pain" over a prolonged period, there is a distinct difference , or am I wrong?

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coolpolitealex profile image
coolpolitealex
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20 Replies

I quite agree. In fact, I was just thinking about this this morning. I'm suffering with bursitis on my right shoulder and, I'm aware that it will probably go away with time. But I was thinking how it must be for people to have to cope with pain all the time. How difficult that must be. I am afraid I don't have any answers for myself except pain control, but psychologically it must be extremely taxing and, I think it probably changes your personality, if it goes on for years and years. I'm a Christian, so I lean on my faith in Jesus during difficulties. However, if you don't have this in your life I am in awe of people that continue to be cheerful even though they constantly suffering. A very interesting post, Alex.

coolpolitealex profile image
coolpolitealex in reply to

Thank you Madmatron, it is just that I think there are psychological impact's of having to constantly worry about the planning of managing daily existence and trying to be independent is quite taxing, but I'm not saying that people who have any kind of pain even for a short time are not suffering.

It's just that there is a difference of expectations about getting better as opposed to those of us that have to manage it on a daily and yearly basis with no hope of getting better but only worse and this is where the difference is.

Sorry I do not believe in a God, as I'm agnostic, but I am also in awe sometimes at peoples faith especially in adversity when facing serious illnesses and in excruciating pain.

I am only playing devils advocate really because it's so boring on this site now no debate at all, so winding people up to react and distract them from their pain is all there seems to be.

deejames profile image
deejames in reply to

It does change your personality madmatron. Horrible to witness in yourself but very hard to avoid. I alternate ' brave little soldier' with 'oh woe is me ' with occasional forays into' manic rise above it all'

Dee

in reply todeejames

You poor thing. You're entitled to feel sorry for yourself sometimes. I wouldn't like to be in the shoes of anyone with chronic pain. Hope things improve for you.

coolpolitealex profile image
coolpolitealex

Rather patronizing Paton, it's not what I meant, there are distinct differences ,and if (which is quite true as it is called Pain Concern) it is just for people wanting advice and a different diagnosis as to what maybe their GP advice may have been, then I suggest that it be more Honest and above board and call itself an "Advice Centre" or a helpline, or maybe just a place where retired or browsing medical professionals massage each others ego's.

Hello again, Alex. Yes, the logistics of merely living your life must be so difficult, when you don't have any hope of the pain ever going away. At the moment, I can't do my spring cleaning. Now, that, of course, isn't the end of the world in any shape or form and I'm lucky to be retired. If, however, you have to go to work and be in pain constantly, It must be an absolute nightmare. Totally depressing. The fact that you can't see an end to the pain must somehow make it feel even worse. In fact, when I'm in pain, it really is the only thing I am able to think about!

It sounds like there's a lot of helpful information on this website and through the radio network that is going to take place.

You never know, Alex. Things may improve. Don't give up hope, if you're able.

PFKAAde profile image
PFKAAde

Is there not room for those with chronic and those with transient pain? Pain is pain and regardless of the cause or duration people don't like it and look to others for advice and support.

Not sure why, just because some people may be lucky enough to one day be pain free, that they shouldn't post questions on the Pain concern forum? It doesn't stop others from asking about ways of coping with permanent pain after all....

Or am I missing something?

Victoriapain profile image
Victoriapain in reply toPFKAAde

Totally agree with you! Can't see the problem with asking for advice no matter what pain we are going through x

ladyragsdale35 profile image
ladyragsdale35

I deal with chronic pain everyday due to many surgeries and damage I have. To have another surgery in the life of a chronic pain suffer you deal with even more pain than you had. Its hard to manage with chronic pain after surgery.

MJW79 profile image
MJW79

I too am living a life faced with chronic pain. I am in my 30's. I was a passenger in a rollover collision and was 7 months pregnant at the time. I thank God everyday that my son is healthy. It is hard he is 11 months and caring for him is at times so painful I draw down to thar deep well of self control to not cry. I worry I am not enriching his life since I have rotator cup, hip and spine damage. I cannot do many of the active things I want to with him. I limp so badly it exhausts me trying to push him around outside. They tell me the fracture in my back will be an ongoing thing I've had injections,, ect. I bow to those on here who have dealt with this for years it takes tenacity to stay positive. I do think pain is pain, however knowing that one is on a ride where they take every med under the sun, pray for a good day, and remember when they could do X.....but know that X will never happen ever again. I do think it changes you, how could it not? Instead of having your old lifestyle now you live a new one filled with endless dr visits, a myriad of meds, opinions, tests, all while you know that your life will never be the same. Then you have your family and while they love and support you, they cannot fathom what you are going through. And let's be honest even they tire with you always hurting, at times sad or frustrated, grumpy. I think no matter how positive you stay there are days when all you can do if focus on the pain and the hope of some relief. This can make one feel like an outsider. I'm young so many of my friends have drifted away , no one wants a cripple around to worry about. Many of the things in life that brought me joy are gone, but the Lord and my son remain. That's just my two cents. I pray for everyone out there to have as pain free a day as possible.

in reply toMJW79

Dear MJW79, what a terrible thing to have happen to you so early in life. You sound like a fantastic mother to me. Oh, and don't worry about your son. He's having a great time, I asure you! Yes, he'll be thinking about number one for the next 20 years at least, so make sure you're just a little bit selfish too. 😊😊😊

I wonder, are you under the Pain Clinic? I expect you are already. But, if not, you could speak to your doc about it.

God bless you and, if it's ok with you, I will remember you in my prayers today (I'm a born again Christian).Let me know if you'd rather not. I'll totally understand.

MJW79 profile image
MJW79 in reply to

Thank you so much for your kind response. Yes please remember me in your prayers I too an a Christian sometimes I think that is the only thing that gets me through. I have Medicaid since my wreck has left me unable to work. My GP has yet to find a pain management dr thathe accepts my insurance. My GP has been "acting " like one I suppose which is good. I take 2 tramadol 50 mg 3x per day. I take 800 mg neurotin 3x a day. I take 750 mg robaxin 3x per day and 1 60 mg cymbalta a day. She is now putting me on lyrica to see if it helps more so I'm in day 2 of the step down process. I hope you are having as good a day as possible I will add you in my prayers also.

MJ

in reply toMJW79

Thank you, MJ. I'm suffering with shoulder bursitis, so nowhere near anything as serious as you. I don't know how you do it. May God bless you and keep you in His loving care. Thank you for your prayers.

katieoxo60 profile image
katieoxo60

hi Coolpolitealex, yes your right . Managing a long term chronic pain and illness situation is totally different to trying to establish the cause of pain. To manage we need medical help on occassions especially at flare up time, people to talk to to distract and support us and ideas of the experienced that they have tried. Of course correct diagnosis is very important if we do not know the cause, which one presumes can only come from a doctor not on a pain forum. We also need an outlet to moan &groan when the going gets tough and coping is not so easy.

deejames profile image
deejames

I think there is a place for both 'types ' of pain on the forum. Chronic pain sufferers can and do offer excellent advice and support to those who are perhaps struggling to accept their pain is chronic as well as those which short term conditions that might develop into long term if they are mismanaged.

If you have chronic pain then undoubtedly you will have a wealth of experience to share with the 'newbies' as well as with the chronic sufferers.

Dee

Christy_R profile image
Christy_R

Thank you for posting this...when you know when you go to sleep the night before that when you wake up the next morning you won't have any relief it's very hard to stay strong. I'm a Christian person but that doesn't mean that this makes your life seem like Disneyland. You are still made to live through the darkness of pain. Christy

superannie profile image
superannie

Hi, I have to agree with you, maybe there should be a forum for people dealing with chronic pain on a day to day basis, and living with a condition that there is no cure for and physio won't help. I do a lot of stretching exercises and make sure I go out with the use of a walker at least twice a week. I am so tired of being told that a visit to a pain clinic is the answer. It wasn't for me. I have been to one and came away with nothing more than I already know. It might be the right place to go for a lot of people, just not any benefit to me.

kazmoonpepper profile image
kazmoonpepper

I live with chronic pain and have done for 2 years although I lived with pain for 30 years. People don't understand what it's like,they can't even imagine what it's like. I'm so tired, every time I go to doctors the first thing I say is i can't cope. If it wasn't for my son i wouldn't be here, nobody gets it. And now I have a fight with dwp over esa, no matter if get pip. I'm so depressed

Debbs73 profile image
Debbs73

I totally agree living with "Chronic Pain",is totally debilitating, frustrating, depressing and isolated. I've suffered with chronic pain for over 20yrs. An over them 20yrs I have got worse. I know I'm not going to get any better infact worse. I'm married an have a son, an have family and friends but I still feel isolated as they don't fully understand how having pain 24/7 is darn right depressing.

johnsmith profile image
johnsmith

I am not sure what you are getting at. I do not think that there is a difference. There are chronic pain issues and a small added pain will push the chronic pain sufferer over their stress breakdown point. So the small pain may be very important.

Many people want advice on issues of pain because what is standard in their local community may not fit in with their problem.

Without careful approaches short term pain can become long term chronic pain. It is always best avoiding short term pain become long term pain.

Many eyes can bring much to bear on solving a problem. Reducing the number of eyes by specialising will cause many things that are potentially helpful to be missed.

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