[FoundLight]

Hello everyone.

I have a question for those of you with chronic pain. I am really working hard to stay busy and not let it get me down, but at the same time I know what I have is progressive, and all I can do is my best to keep it from progressing any faster than it has to. So for me - this isn't going to get better. I have to face the reality that it will only get worse.

Coping is getting harder and harder. I am only in mid life, and feel like I am falling apart at the seams, and I do not like it one freakin bit! I feel like a failure. I feel useless and trapped, and angry . I am grateful to have insurance and good medical care, but I feel like I am banging my head against a brick wall.

My question is how do you cope with chronic pain, pain that will not go away, pain that will only get worse, that is debilatating? (I have done so much kneeling in prayer,) my answers might come from my depchat friends, if I am only willing to ask. So I'm asking. Help me please. The water is up to my chin.........

Thanks in advance
Foundlight

[hannahberrymuffin]

sorry..i dont have an answer for you ((((foundlight))))))) but i know who most likely does........piffle........when you see her ask her about it...ok? -hannah

[TexanHoney]

((((((((((((((((((((((((Found))))))))))))))))))))))
A few other chatters may have some good ideas too. Sorry I don't know of any good coping skills for this.

All I can think of is to take it easy on yourself hun. Don't try to be superwoman. And if you start to sink, let one of us send you a life raft!

[Elsbeth]

((((((((((((((((((foundy))))))))))))))))

I wish I had a magic answer for you. Just know I am thinking of you hon.

Good Luck

Els

[FoundLight]

Thanks for responding (((((((((((((everyone))))))))))))))). And I will remember to ask for a life raft!

The strangest thing is, I am having to totally revamp who I am in my head . I have always valued myself by what I could do for others. This is a big stop sign the universe has thrown at me. I have to find other strengths I have, think about me for a change. My worth as a human being can no longer be determined by what I do for others. And, I am having to learn to accept, much less ask for, help. This strange situation has me puzzled. Just another challenge to overcome as I muddle my way through life. I know I am here for a reason..........


Foundlight

[chels]

Hi ((found and others)))))

I have a degenerate hip and lower back pain. I am almost always in some pain when i walk, stand or sit. At the moment I am in limbo about getting any help as the orthopaedic dr I saw was disinterested in what I had to say, dismissive and basically said..you are too young and too fat for a hip replacement. I guess quality to life is not important and he could not be bothered listening to anything I had to say about what I had done to improve my health such as lose a lot of weight and get fit by swimming..
Anyway..what I have found helps me best for pain is swimming. I try to go to a pool 2 or 3 times a week about an hour away from where I live. If it was closer I think I would go daily. I feel like a seal ..so free and weightless in the water..pain free and relaxed. On land I feel like a beached whale. So I do highly recommend swimming in any way you can manage it if you have access to a pool. It has not made the arthritis go away but has helped in many other ways.....chels

[FoundLight]

Hi Chels,

I have been trying to find a pool in our area - the only one so far is at the YMCA and their membership cost is high. I was once, many many moons ago, a competitive swimmer. I know the benefits - I have a "pristine" heart as a result of those early years of hours doing laps. But, I think it is great it has helped you so much!

I will keep trying, I have to lose at least 25% of my body weight. My BMI is 43%, not good for anything but getting sicker and more sedentary. I do daily physical therapy, stretching, and floor exercises to stay as limber as possible, but they don't burn fat.

I work so hard at staying positive. I must come to grips with reality. I simply cannot do like I used to. But I don't have to like it. If I could excercise, my endorphins would kick in and help with the pain.

Thanks for responding!
Foundlight

[LadyoftheWolves]

I'm a Fibromyalgia sufferer, Found, and I daily think and wonder the same things.

[FoundLight]

Oh you guys are great. Thank yo uso much for listening......... I am on day 25 of my headache, and the new medicine isn't working yet - has to build up in your blood a little I think. Patience - I know, but it is keeping me from doing my hilday thinngs, like cooking........If I make no sense it is because I can't concentrate well -

VENT VENT VETNVENTVENT
phew!....... feel batter now.

So, whose turn is it now????? lol

luv you all,
Foundlight

[Buddy]

omg a headache for 25 days? you poor thing! ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
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((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((foundlight)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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i really hope you're feeling better now

[icemaid06]

hello all, i am new to this. so i have been reading and im here to VENT VENT VENT.......... ok so here goes.

i have really bad pains in all my joints , my shoulder blades , elbows and my left hip are the worse at the moment. my left hip being in constant agony. i find even walking downstairs is bad enuf, getting up from the sofa or from any sitting position is even worse, i look like an old woman trying to move about.
now get this 1, my doctor sent me to the hospital, i sat in a white room , a doctor came in took 1 look at me asked where the pain was and said, you have arthritus, take amatryptoline( prob not spelt right) any way, its an anti - depressent. Now i know for a fact that this is prescribed for fibromyalgia. but my doctor and the doc at the hospital, never mentioned this by name. it is still not a used term here in england.
i am taking 2 pain killers (paracetamol) and 2 ibuprofen at the same time at least 4 times a day, and this is not doing anything for me. i cant even write with a normal pen anymore as it hurts too much.
Do any of you think it might be worth changing my family doc? or going back to my doc and telling her im not happy with the way i was treated?. oh, i have also been on anti - depressents soooooooooooooooo long, that i think i am loosing my mind as nothing is working. God i would kill for a good nights sleep.

thanx for listening.
ice
xx

[Beagle]

((((((icemaid06))))))

First of all, welcome to Building Foundations! It's nice to meet you, and I bet you will find other folks here more than willing to share their experieces with you!

I'm sorry to hear about the pain you are having. I'm assuming the doc gave you "Amitriptyline". Yes, it is an antidepressant, but is also commonly, very commonly, prescribed for chronic pain. Lots of meds have different uses that what they were designed for. Sometimes the other uses.....like the pain management part......are a better use of the med than the anti-depressant part. We don't have the workings of the brain figured out at all yet do we?

Anyway, that's just to let you know that it was not an unusual med. As a matter of fact, it might be a good choice since the pain in chronic.

But.....I definitely think that if you are not getting relief you should talk with your doctor.......ask why this med was used and get some answers to your own questions. See what other things you can try.....should you exercise or not exercise? Is heat good for your joints or cold? Could it be anything in your diet that you can change?

If the pain meds you are on aren't working, maybe they need adjusting. Adding the amitriptyline was a step in adjusting the meds. Maybe there are other things to try, too

(((((ice))))) chronic pain is dreadful. I hope you can find a solution soon......I'm sure you will!


Beagle

[Brit]

((((Ice)))

Im in the UK myself so i know the system. Go back to your GP and discuss with him the appt and outcome you had.
The pain killers you are taking, paracetamol and ibuprofen, are by no means meant for extreme and chronic pain. There are many many different levels of pain relief and those are at the very mild end of the spectrum so your doc has loads of options to try in order to get one that suits you and gives relief.
Many hopsitals have a pain clinic attached and they help you control and manage severe pain.
You could try heat or ice packs or alternate them, pain gels, tens machine, exercise that isnt weight-bearing like swimming for example.
There are lots of things to try so dont lose heart.

Brit