yeah, I have very few pictures of me... I don't let anyone take my picture, I just feel way too miserable.

You have some very good advice, thank you millions!

OMGoodnes, first, you don't have to explain to anyone why you are on pain meds or anything else! Your sick, they're not. If they can't see the pain; maybe they should take a better look at your life. This is all to common with anyone who lives a life filled with pain. Always trying to please everyone, but YOU... I know where your at, I live your life, coping skills and mind games is all I have left. Take the weight off, let someone please you for once!


Thinkin of you,,,,

Thank you very much. I feel like I have to explain, because she was so firm about it. I want to explain to her that reflex sympathetic dystrophy is the worst form of chronic pain in the world today, as I read about the McGills pain index scale. I want her to understand the condition better- why it is needful to have medications and I want her to realize the suffering I am enduring- it would be so much worse without the pain medications. I don't have to explain, but I want her to understand me better. Know what I mean?

The intense pain in the soles of both of my feet (neuropathy) has caused me to think about ending my life when the pain causes me to not be able to think clearly, but reading about the awful pain and other difficulties that some of you endure makes me realise that it is possible to deal with much greater suffering than I endure. I wish the best for all of you, and I sincerely hope that you find relief!

Hi Kate. First, I hope you are feeling better today and that things have worked out between you and your friend.

Second, I want to let you know that I have just gone through something similiar, but with my DH. I also have MS, along with my spinal problems, but the MS pain is the worst He has always been so very supportive, and does understand that I am in pain. The worse I get, the MORE he understands. BUT, when he found out I started Oxycotin, all he could think if was "addictive and dangerous!!". He gave me his thoughts on it, and I had to do my explaining to help him understand. Now, being that he is my husband, I DO think I owe it to him, even if it is just to set him straight on the reality of narcotics.

You DO become dependant one them, no doubt. But there is a big difference than being "addicted". We are using them for the right reason, and it's not to get high! And they are only dangerous if you are not monitored correctly, or if you are not taking them as rx'ed, crushing them, etc...

Now, after I asked him what his point was that I would be dependant on them, well.... he did not have an answer That was it! lol

I agree you owe your friend nothing, well, except to remind her not to judge you unless she has been in your shoes. If you have explained your pain to her and that you are under a DOCTOR's CARE, and she still insists on judging you, I think it's a mute point. I hope you can keep your friendship either way though Best of luck to you!

I still have a difficult time coping with the pain from day to day. I had problems with my second Thoracic Outlet surgey and I developed RSD soon after. Now I am trying to learn how to cope with a whole new pain.
I find that if I try to keep moving which can be very hard to do on some day I don't get as stiff and than I don't have as bad of a deep muscle pain or joint pain as I would if I sat or stayed in bed for hour or days.
I have many other medical conditions so there are some days that I can't do anything more than stay in my house and use heat packs and pain pills. Oh, and my Tens unit.. That and my meds... I can't leave those out..
I also started to see a psychiatrist and she has been such a blessing to me. I am able to talk about my pain and my fears to someone who doesn't judge me such as some of my friends or family. She also told me to try to go outside and sit in the sun for at least one hour a day. I can break that up into sessions of 15 to 20 min. I find that this helps with my depression and therefore it helps me to be able to try and cope with my pain.
I also find that I have many friends here on neurotalk that have great ears and listen to me whine...
I hope that you are able to find better days ahead...
Many Gentle Hugs
Dawn

I have a odd way of coping....I work as a Hopice nurse. I can no longer work in the field (to physical). But I work 40 plus hours a week in the office as a clinical director, and trust me, my patients are much worse then I am (I have total body RSDS). When someone comes on our service, they have a terminal diagnosis with less then 6 months to live. So regardless of how I feel, I know that if I'm doing my job I can help someone find a painfree death in the comforts of their home.

Kind of puts things into perspective doesn't it? We can whine and complain. Then we meet those who are terminal and it is a good ol' smack in the head. What a service you provide dolphin.
Oh by the way KateLynne, have you told your friend to go and pound sand yet?

May God Bless you for the service you provide. My husband was dying of cancer last year and Hopice helped out so much. I knew my husband would want to die at home & Hopice made it possible. I was so impressed with them that when I die I am leaving almost all my money to them. I can't say enough good about them and have already raise a good bit of money that I donated to them when he died. You people are wonderful and most don't even know about it. I have even said I would do volunteer for them. I had to have 2 surgeries and just haven't got to the place that I have spare time yet. I moved and it takes forever to find everything. I would be glad to help sometime after this summer tho.
____
BC