Losing my mind.

[Witchiepoo]

Hi I'm new to the community...I'm 54 and have suffered from severe chronic pain since 2015...I'm a strong independent person and have found it really hard relying on others to do everything or mostly everything for me...but right now it's the breakdowns that are hard..they're more frequent than before from being every few weeks to every few days..I'm wondering how yous cope or if there's any distractions that yous can recommend that might help...thank you..

[Hidden]

Hi witchiepoo, sorry you are feeling this way. I use music and calming apps on my phone to try and distract myself from pain (its not always easy) if you are able to walk try a wee 10mins walk. I also use a lot of heat therapy as cold triggers my pain. Wishing you all the best 💞

Leanne

[Bevvy]

Hi. Not sure of nature of your pain but I have a variety of medical issues not purely pain related. However I am a big advocate of exercise in water. Due to ill health and Covid it is sometime since I have been able to go to a pool but I recently restarted again. I use gentle exercises I have found on internet include just walking in the water, and stretching exercises. The pool I use is very warm water so it’s nice but I am extremely careful not to spend too long in the water otherwise I am in extreme pain which isn’t helpful. Am aware once I get home that physically I am shattered (although pain under control) but mentally am absolutely buzzing and feel great. I have chronic depression and am on medications for it so it really helps with that.

[Jackiemerritt22]

Soldier on my friend .

[Witchiepoo in reply to Jackiemerritt22]

Ty...it takes a lot somedays but I'm still here so I will keep soldering on until the end..

[cyberbarn]

Comedy and laughing. There is evidence that laughing releases the body's natural endorphins and it also distracts the brain from the pain because the brain can only process so much material at once.

I had surgery on my foot that nicked a nerve in the ankle so I was in a lot of extra pain. I couldn't take anything stronger than paracetamol due to the pain in my stomach from taking codeine on the first two days after surgery. The comedy box set of Green Wing got me though the long dark evenings of pain!

[Witchiepoo in reply to cyberbarn]

Tyvm...

[ivye]

Hi I can relate to this so much. One thing I find to be a great distraction is I started to do gardening just potting plants I started with light plastic pots and I love looking outside my front and back garden now seeing all blooming flowers from summer ones still going geraniums bizzie Lizzies marigolds lillies etc to my autumn pansies violas primroses ivy heathers mums to name a few. I never thought I would enjoy it I surprised myself and a outside tap and hose helps with watering although I do have to ask for help when I struggle and take pain relief to try keep active but rest inbetween.

[Witchiepoo in reply to ivye]

Oh ivye..I wish I could but my back goes into bad spasms...I tried watering the plants once and ended up bent over in tears..I couldn't get from the greenhouse to the decking..I had to stop every 2 steps..which made the garden feel like a football pitch..by the time I got to the decking and got a seat..my whole body was jerking while spasms started to release...but thank you so much..I hope your well and keep on going..I love my gardens too all pretty with flowers x

[MaureenMK Researcher]

I recommend the curable app. Look up their youtube videos about it first as there is a cost.