newbie
 

hi,
i live in a small town and not to many people have pain problems (lots of acute not many chronic sufferers). most of the chronic patients i encounter are having such a hard time dealing with their own struggles they have a hard time having a conversation without dragging me down. thats not to say i dont have bad days...i do, i just perfer to be happy to focus on good the good things life has to offer. i am a 31 yr old female with crps type 2. i have 2 spinal stimulators (1 cervical, 1 lumbar). i used to be really active (went to college on an athletic scholarship), after multiple surgeries my nerves were fried. most of my old friends are out enjoying everything life has to offer, unfortunatly, i can no longer participate. i have a hard time talking with them because i always feel like my current perdiciment will drag them down.
anyway i guess i joined in hopes of finding some people who know what it feels like to exist in the constant wave of pain without having to answer the dreaded so what have you been up to question.
thanks

Hello and Welcome ,
I see you found your way to some forums already- so I'll see you around on some of those most likely.:D

Wakegirl,

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Nice to see you have come here to be with this loving group.

There are a great number here to help you as they can.

Looking forward to seeing you around. Again welcome.

Darlene:hug:

Hi, Wakegirl! :Wave-Hello:

Welcome to NeuroTalk!

Hi WakeGirl! Welcome to NeuroTalk!:)

Hello Wakegirl. Sorry you are having a tough time. You'll find some great info here and the members are always so willing to help. Glad you found us.. :welcome_sign:

I feel your pain
 

Wake girl,

It sounds like you have been through A LOT with CRPS. I hope the various devices are helping with the pain. I can relate to being young and feeling strange about talking about my health, but sometimes that is all there is to say. Sometimes I tell myself that hopefully some of what they hear will help them to learn about this dreaded illness and either help them ID it early should it happen to them, or at least make them feel better they do not have to suffer like I do. The worst is when someone tries to empathize and ends up telling you about some very minor health issue as if they are in the same boat.

I guess when I look at many others in the world I see that they are much sicker than I am and I comfort myself internally with that knowledge even though I still feel bad for them.

I think part of what makes it hard is that CRPS is a relatively rare condition and therefore most people have never heard of it. Then, when you try and explain it they get confused and this usually ends the attempt at conversation or sympathy or support. Unless someone is really close to you and willing to learn alongside you, most people will mot be able to be very supportive simply because of their lack of knowledge and in some cases, lack of concern for others.

I would not look at talking about yourself and your health as bringing people down. Many times, people want to know and they do care. I just try and pick the best time to discuss it, so it does not turn every social occasion into Grey's Anatomy.

Good luck and feel free to talk about it here as much as you need to.

Hi Wakegirl. The question I don't just dread but hate as well is that daily "Hi. How are you?" I work with people who say that every single day. It's part of their greeting. Hi, How are you...as they continue walking along.

If they were serious, they'd stand there and ask that question. I think they think it's being polite.

I dread that question because every day I have pain, not what you have, and I hate responding with "Just fine." But I do. What else am I going to do? Go into a long spin on how I really feel???

People here will understand. This forum is very supportive and caring. Visit the Chronic Pain forum if you haven't. I bet you'll find a lot of support there as well.

Hugs, and wishes for a remission for you. :hug: