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-   -   Has pain changed your personality? (https://www.neurotalk.org/chronic-pain/199716-pain-changed-personality.html)

ladyinpain 05-13-2014 08:22 PM

Absolutely! I notice that I will snap or yell at people for no reason. I don't mean to do it, but I hate when people ask me the same questions over and over again. I really get frustrated when people who don't understand chronic pain try to tell me how I really feel. I see a counselor for anger management now, so I can learn some coping skills.

Hockey 05-13-2014 09:22 PM

Heavens, yes!!! I used to be a fun, patient, outgoing person. Not anymore. :(

Dr. Smith 05-14-2014 11:40 AM

Hi Folks,

I just reread this thread, and it occurs to me that while we're all no longer the "freaking rays of sunshine" we used to be, is anyone doing anything about it? Solutions to offer?

My best adaptation (as I've discussed elsewhere before) is that I no longer talk about anything medical (relating to myself) with anyone outside my "inner circle". Since I've stopped talking (i.e. complaining) I've stopped alienating people.

Making it a point—i.e. making time—to laugh and do something I truly enjoy—that brings/gives me joy—every day has also been very therapeutic. Acting/being silly like I used to is—for me—part of this.

Avoiding the opposite (things that causes stress/unhappiness) is another. I choose my battles more carefully. ...The more I sit here and try to think of other things, the more apparent it becomes how much is in that simple statement—I choose my battles more carefully.

Doc

kewlgrandpa 05-14-2014 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Smith (Post 1043764)
Indubitably. Are men & women different? :Dunno: I ask because my changes seem to be in the opposite direction; I'm letting things slide that I never did before, though honestly I think it's been a process. I keep some kind of external stimulation (tv, radio, music) almost constantly to distract myself from pain. Anything to focus on.

Adrenal hormone replacement has reversed some of the personality changes.

Doc

Dr. Smith,

Lost in space, yes, I was an avid watcher as a kid. I, like you, tend to let things slide a bit also, but that's always been my personality. I do find having the TV on or the radio helps, distracts from pain, I listen to different white noise generators, generally rainfall at night to try to sleep. I'm new to doing these types of web pages but decided I needed to read what others go through. I'm laid back, folks think I'm doing great, but inside doesn't feel great. I'm still fairly patient but I can't do much so not much to "test" my patience. But all in all, I'm more withdrawn, and let more slide past. For myself, I'm in enough pain, I don't need to add mental stress too. Just my thoughts. Now how do I post. Can you tell I'm green at this

Bowtie 05-14-2014 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopeless (Post 1043656)
I find myself a lot less tolerant and less patient due to pain. It is like I have become a different person that I do not even recognize. Things that normally would have annoyed me now make me so angry I could scream.

I no longer "bite my tongue" and I now "speak my mind" even when it may not be the proper thing to do. What happened to the person I used to be?

Did I get "lost" in pain? Anyone else see changes in your own personality as a result of your pain?


I snap out more often, but my biggest change has been how sedentary I've become.

It's the inactivity that's going to do me in if I don't make a change.

Dr. Smith 05-14-2014 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kewlgrandpa (Post 1069376)
Now how do I post. Can you tell I'm green at this

Hi kewlgrandpa, welcome.

You just did. If you meant starting a new thread, on each forum page (where all the threads/discussions are listed) there's a button at the top left of the threads entitled "New Thread". Click on that, and away you go.

If you have other questions, check out the FAQ section. Most will be answered there.

Doc

PamelaJune 05-15-2014 03:30 AM

I posted on this some time ago
 
Since then I have made a conscious effort to identify what can trigger me and I have noticed I can be on a short fuse about 40 minutes after I take Endone or, if the subject of money is raised, I become extremely anxious. So, I've stopped taking Endone and told my family and friends not to talk to me about money. It's a bit tough at the minute as our government has just announced the budget that's going to shaft the disabled and those who regularly require GP visits so it's a hot topic. But, there you go, there is hope, and with time I'm sure I can regain my equanimity ....:eek:

eva5667faliure 05-15-2014 08:36 AM

And this is how I have been feeling lately
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by evandtwins (Post 1055333)
That's the worst part of pain - that it changes who you are and it is a constant struggle to prevent that. One day, your pain may be managed, and you are confident and self-assured. Another (like today for me), you are suffering and it calls everything in question. I can make it through next week, but how do I continue working like this, suffering from neuropathy, for the next 15 years? How do I provide for my children and wife? The pain causes me to always be waiting for the other shoe to drop. I cannot relex and take a nice vacation. Instead, I should be saving the money for when I may not be able to work in the future. It is easy to think heroicly and say that you "won't let the pain stop you", but in the real world few of us have that intestinal fortitude. Most of us are mere mortals. The pain grinds on us and wears us down. Like I am prone to say, it does not give you the weekend off or take any vacations. It is unrelenting in its demand for attention. And when it gets to a certain level, you simply cannot block it out.

I wish you all well!

So very much how I feel now
I awake from the throbbing in my hips and knees
My head I want to take off and hold it
My right upper back burn
Can't stand on my own feet they hurt so badly
Fingers what fingers
Where the ocean be so vast in its calm
We were only hour away from the devestation
We too incurred trouble
Trouble getting my medicines that and
WHAT the HOSPITAL did medicine related
I WILL NEVER FORGET
THAT BE THE REASON
I REFUSE
Forget about refuse
The last two surgeons said
Loud and clear
NO SURGERY
"To many things going on"
And nausea has become a real issue
No changes in Meds
I do smoke cannabis as ALL DOCTORS KNOW
including when under any procedure or sugery
However I have an additional factor
My gut other than the nausea has a feeling
Something is up
I know me
I FEEL ME
THERE IS ONE CHANGE
An abundance of fresh fruit
and vegetables cannot get enough of them
I mean in abundance
For example if it's celery
It will be the whole bunch
If it be romaine lettuce a head for me
Carrots raw can't get enough
one other drug my pain specialist took me off of
as it did not help the hips or knees or hands
that wakes me from my sleep

NORTRYPTALINE (spelling off)

And the nausea started about a month ago

Wondering if it is hormonal
My two girls get their period
It does affect me
I do not like having to smoke
It is a hit small every few hours
The only thing that helps
And I'll do whatever to avoid vomiting
after my second screwed up cervical fixing
I did not fuse the first time
I think that's because I went back to work
to soon it was two weeks
And a year later PCDF
four months later found my breast cancer
6 months after second surgry
Had taken off my breasts hoping to arrest it
Now there are being tests to rule out my last MRI
This past January either a bone infection in my
lumbar area or matatastic disease (cancer)
Today we start the bloodwork the beginning
of the end of what's going on

TO EVERYONE WHO SUFFERS CHRONIC PAIN
THE NEXT TIME SOMEONE SAYS YOU DON'T LOOK
THAT BAD
I WANT TO SAY
mind you it's only in my head
Want to say
The next te you have a real hard time with elimaniting
number two
Just remember what you just said
Chances are noone other than yourself in the John
noone there to see the pain on your face
A side effect from Meds
Hence the reason for my gross analogy
You just never know
Like my grown up poet Saraeve and epilepsy
it's invisible
But oh when that MONSTER PAIN HITS
all please remove yourself
And leave me in an air conditioned room with a clean
hard surface to lay on
I think I said enough
I'm not out to scare anyone
This is my story
Be well as well as you can be
Love to all in the world
Me

Dr. Smith 05-15-2014 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PamelaJune (Post 1069493)
I have noticed I can be on a short fuse about 40 minutes after I take Endone.... So, I've stopped taking Endone

I hope your doctor has been able to work with you to find an alternative.

Doc

Dr. Smith 05-15-2014 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eva5667faliure (Post 1069520)
I do not like having to smoke
It is a hit small every few hours
The only thing that helps

Can you use another method of delivery (e.g. comestibles, vaporizer)?

Doc


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