Chronic Pain and Life Expectancy
 

This is a bit of an odd question but I was wondering if someone might have an answer. I have recently been diagnosed with trigeminal neuropathy not the classic type TN or ATN. I have constant variable throbbing in my upper molar region on both sides of my face, caused by dental injury. I am trying to find a med that will work but also considering more dental procedures at a later date. Don't know yet if I am a candidate for surgery, probably not. My condition is definetely chronic as I have had it for two years. For arguments sake, if someone has a life long chronic pain condition, TN or other, can it make for a lower life expectancy, meaning can the pain itself lead to chronic or terminal disease, i.e. cancer or heart disease, etc? Would this not be the case if the person who has the chronic pain is otherwise healthy and has no psychological issues? Basically does chronic pain make for a shorter life or is this just a ridiculous question?

Life expectancy/chronic pain
 

Your question is very valid.

If you have pathology causing pain- infection, lesions, etc., you are at greater risk. One of the insidious features of pain, however, is hypertension and changes in your HPA- your adrenal-corticoid-hypothalamic complex. Over time, the body can thro too much adrenaline, cortisol, hormones, etc. It can also interfere with your kidney-heart complex that regulates BP. The best thing you can do is have frequest checkups, try to exercise as much as you can, eat a healthy diet, and use techniques to lower sterss- hence BP, like Tai Chi, that won't cause excess pain, but will help keep you well.
Also, keep track of your psychology- find joy where you can or all is gray- keep your mind active.
God bless and god luck.
MDH

Hi Wavegeek,

I have never heard of cases where CP directly causes cancer or anything like that.............but it is a well known fact that the stress of stress on our bodies lowers life expectency. I have high blood pressure. Only in my 40's but I am severely overweight, so I don't think that's directly caused by my CP issues, but.......my bp is fine with my meds when my pain level is managable (say, less than 5/10), but when my pain soars, so does my bp. I don't see how that's not going to cause a heart attack or stroke someday.

Even regarding the cancer issue......I don't see how pain could directly cause a tumor, but if our bodies are run down from the constant stress of CP, I think our bodies would be less able to fight off any threats.

I think the best that we can do is to try to get our pain as well managed as possible.....that includes medications, therapies, and medical interventions as well as the things we can directly control......like finding peace spiritually, through support of family and friends, finding hobbies that we can still participate in, etc.

Odd answer to your odd question
 

I am a very spiritual person, and believe the purpose of our lives (on Earth) is to grow spiritually. I also believe those of us that have to endure Chronic Pain are "advanced" entities, as I think I can speak for all of us in these situations that we have LEARNED so much about ourselves, others, and life in general from the situations our CP have put us in. With all that chock full of knowledge and experience in life, it moves us towards the head of the class and we get to graduate ( or as I'd like to put it, return home to the Other Side) the "School of Life" quicker than most. So, I do believe there is some physiological connection between chronic pain and higher increases in fatal ailments. I don't know about you, but suffering 24-7 with RSD, Brachial Plexopathy, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, 5 herniated discs, and Fibromyalgia, I don't think I'll be too upset when I get to be freed from this body. LOL!


Vanna

Glad you can put an optimistic spin on this Vanna. Some days death does sound preferrable. I know that chronic pain has aged me well past my years on the outside, so it would hardly be a suprise if pain was doing the same on the inside!

atb, kami

I can only hope!
 

Thanks for confirming my reality. I will not be tested or treated for anything that can kill me. Why would I? I can't get off this rolling rock soon enough! My pain is due to a car accident 20 years ago, in which I also sustained a serious brain injury. Add that to my already bi-polar existance and I can only pray that my time on this earth as an "old soul" will pass quickly. Laying around so much, being a burden to society is not a very fun way of life.

I call it...
 

Going to my mountian... Some days I can only wish I was free to sit on the top of a mountian( don't know how I will get there seeing how I have RSD 24/7 both legs) but I have actually dreamnt about it.. I don't want anyone to look for me or miss me.. no cells phones allowed....I can feel a warm breeze on me with no stress just a place to cry and relax... alone or with my best friend...one day I want that... my brain checker, as I call her... she beieves I have already been there....thats deep!! It's part of my bucket list... I have also said ..placing cards with my Dad, who has sadly deceased, would not sound bad to me at all some days... Pain grows us tired...

Great thread!!!!!!

Hugs, Keep Smilin!:winky:

Perhaps we can climb that mountain together. I have been there . . . several times. Could it be any more difficult having been there and now being unable to return? I will never again hear the crunch of glacial snow beneath my cramponed boots, or smell the freshness of ancient snow, or see how deep, dark blue the sky becomes as you leave the tree line behind you and ascend to the heavens.

Keep that dream. The destination is worth it . . . even if it is only in your dreams!

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...100_0130-1.jpg
Me in 1997 on top of Mount Adams, 12,276'

Lefthanded.....

You have yourself a deal!!!! I will keep that dream..to top it off I am also afraid of heights..so where am I going??? But this dream of mine has real validity and I need it badly some days..I want to go so I can release and my best friend wants to come along!! You had quite the past time .. I am very impressed, beautiful photo uo there also... I am equally sorry for your loss in not having the liberty to enjoy this "climb" anymore... it's so real in that we lose so much of ourselves..so darn sad.... I was a tennis instructor for many years.. it was always my favorite sport and now I will nver walk back onto the court let alone hit the ball... Can I ask what do you suffer from?? Because of what you said..I will not give up... one day I will make it.. I will dress warm as not to get all the way there and decide I should have brought an extra sweater...

Take care and thanks so much for the neat thread...

KS:)

I find this subject very interesting… I have suffered from fibro and also pain due to Spina Bifida Occulta for my entire life. I was diagnosed with fibro over 20 years ago but have had symptoms since I was a teenager. I also suffer from PTSD. I will be 56 this coming June.

Management of my pain using Rx’s only started when I was diagnosed with fibro. When young I hurt all the time but didn’t talk to anyone even my parents about it…thought it was just part of life, who would have thought?

I have moments during my days when I feel not too bad. However, I am on Rx’s to get me to that point. It all depends on the weather and what I’m trying to accomplish and many other stressors. I am my husband’s fulltime caregiver and also have my 86 year old Mom living with us.

My honey…referred to as “the Olhipie”, here on NT was diagnosed almost 24 years ago with Multiple Sclerosis. He is the best…he can’t care for me only to support me and make me take it easy. People ask if MS shortens life…doc says you won’t die from MS. My husband’s best friend has ALS and is close to leaving this life…he is totally paralyzed, hasn’t been able to eat or talk for four years and has had machine breathing for him for three years. In every email he writes his closing remarks are “Things could be worse”.

I have never heard or been told that chronic pain will cause any shortness of life. I think it might depend on the origin of pain…don’t know. This I do know is that quality of life is important…I have been in pain all my life so quality has been what I have made it. I have never been able to climb mountains, ski or play any sports. However, I am a spectator of all sports and love being of the crowd and enjoying the emotions of the sport! My honey can’t walk but because of some really great people he can ski!

I have been reading as many articles as I can to help me to know how to answer this question…did not find anything.
Last week I had some days that all I could do was curl up and have what I call a cave day…so much pain! I still love life and my family too much to want it to end it because of what I suffer from. Life is what you make of it! I’m not angry because of the things I couldn’t do when growing or since I have grown up. My joy comes from being with those I love and who love me….

Hot sure what else to say….Please take time to enjoy the very small things in life because you can!

I hope to get to know you all a little better….remember, things could be worse!