when you first realized that you had chronic pain and that you would have it all your life, how did you deal with it? How did you learn to accept it and go on? I am having a real hard time accepting it, and learning to go on- learning to do more in life and to not get caught up in just my pain.

I could really use your thoughts and experiences. Thanks.

-KateLynne

Could you tell us what kind of pain you are in? I have had lots of back trouble and 7 surgeries. All have been painful. I now have arthritis and here it is Spring. I think the air conditioning makes me worse. I was ok all winter & I as soon as I turned the air on, misery. I wish I knew something that would stop the pain of it. After you have tried all kinds of pain meds & most have side effects, You just live with it. Yes, it can get bad enough to see a doctor, thats how I had all the surgeries. The long rehab and having to hire help, when its hard to find, makes me not want to go that route again. I have had much trouble with pain meds. Many I have been allergic to and itch bad, then others will bind you up.

You may have to seek help. The pain doctors I have known will try to make you conforable. I had a stimulation for almost a year, had that taken out also. I am allergic to metal. I am sure there are some on this forum that can give you advice better than I could.
________
Fancylady

Honestly..I try and take it one day at a time.
Sure some days are easier than others as far as taking care of my wandering mind..But i have to keep myself busy.
I don't mean scrubbing floors and such either.
I mean doing puzzles and playing online games.Reading.Anything except sitting and dwelling on things you can't change.
My probelms started when i was 35 and it was and somedays still is rough for me to accept.
I am still young!I feel i "should" be out riding a bike with my girl and taking long walks in the park.
But my reality is i just can't do it anymore!!
I have to take what i have"now" and make the best of it.I dont wanna look back someday and say..I really wasted alot of my life wishing i had something else..instead of making the best of what i had!
I know firsthand all this isn't easy..I really do...I look at people in wheel chairs with no legs and arms..I really did see someone like this 2 days ago..and i told my daughter..If you ever think your life is bad..remember her..
We could always have things worse..So we gotta try and find a way to adjust to what we have right here in the here and now..No matter if it's rosey or not..
Otherwise ,we waste alot of precious time with the ones that love us!
Then fall into a deep dark depression..
I find if i look too far ahead int othe future i get seriously depressed!!
So i try and keep my mind in the here and now only..and just do the best with what i've got.I can't lift heavy things anymore.It used to just crush my pride to ask a man to come help me..Now i know..I will be hurting reaL bad if i don't..Thats just my life now!
If you would like to private message me because you need a friend..feel free!
I have to go for now..

Also,i wanna say hi to fancylady billie<wave>
I haven't talked to you in such a long time!!
It's good to see a post from you...
I hope you are doing ok and like your new home>
Take care everyone...
{{{{hugs}}}}

Kelly, I am like everybody else. I have good days & bad days. I am over on Weight Support on a daily basis. It's good to see your post too.
______
Billie

Dear KateLynn;

Alcoholics Anonymous did the world a great thing when they coined the phrase, "One day at a time." If I wanted to give myself a super-duper panic attack right now, I would give up that phrase and start dwelling on living the rest of my life, my entire life, my whole life, my whole, entire life in pain. (Ok, I've gotten a pretty good start on a panic attack right now - LOL) But it's true, you must not think about anything but the here and now and do your best to be positive every day. If you find that hard, then there are hundreds of people here who are willing to help you. Just log on and you will get the positive side of life from folks who should be down but are just the opposite. That's what this forum is for - to share ideas, thoughts, concerns and to help each other.

Also, try to keep a regular schedule, try not to sleep all day, etc. Keep as busy as you can, some days are better than others as said by my good friend, Billie.
It's hard, nobody will tell you it's not but as the years pass, you get better at handling it. And, you might have to set limits for yourself and make sure others know them. For example, I don't travel well and my family all understand it. So, if I am unable to attend something, they will know why.

I blamed myself for my pain - like an idiot I don't know why. I have idiopathic PN and I'm not a diabetic so I felt I must have done something else to "get it". Dumb.

Wish I had more to tell you but right now, that's all I can come up with.

Best of Luck,
Nancy-H

I have relex sympathetic dystrophy nearly full body- severe pain all the time.

Thanks for the sweet words. I'll post more when I have time. You have helped me already everyone.

A schedule sounds like a good idea, except I think on my real bad pain days I would have to change it a little bit.
Thank you!

I want my ans taken out and cannot find anyone to do it.
Can you tell me who can help.

"Dealing with chronic pain... how do you cope?"

Very good narcotics!!

Anne

Are you feeling any better today, with the jerking and things.

I am hoping things are better. Not sure but are you maybe also
having seizures. Or do they know.

I am dealing with a form of chronic pain, its in my elbows, and my
neck. has to do with a fall or two I've had, that resulted in post
concussion syndrome, and now I have chronic pain, I have gotten
rid of the other problems but still have the problem of the neck
pain that I can't seem to get to go away completely, and I will
always have problems with my elbows that I've had dislocations
in, thanks to falls.

Donna