Cope, well I take it one day at a time sometimes, I am usually a planner but now it is harder because i will have bad days, and sometimes weeks.

I try and stay as positive as possible being negative will not help or change anything.

I did a med change and my depression and some side effects have lifted which is good but I am in more pain. but know I try to do things to look forward to, whether it is going to the museum or working on a quilt project.

For me the key is to not sit and dwell or be whoa is me.

One of my biggest challenges is getting and keeping the house cleaned up, since I dont work if i sit in a disorganized house it will drive me crazy, and since I have ADD it will cloud up my mind and it will not go well.

I say do what you love to do it more then when you didnt have any medical problems, try writing and really opening up and set some goals to do and work at them, just dont write them down and set aside.

With me is staying positive. No matter how many trials and tribulations life throws my way, I always keep a positive attitude. I've always been the "glass is half full" kind of person, so that surely helps. Having a supportive family helps a lot too, and good friends that keep me going.

Whenver I feel down I always think of those that are worse of than me. I count my blessings... have a roof over my head, food in the fridge, a warm and comfy bed, and at least I can walk, yes with lots of pain, but I do walk, others are not as lucky. My faith also holds me up very high. I am not religious, but I follow the teachings of Buddah, and I've learned compassion and to have inner peace no matter what, so I guess that is what keeps me going and helps me cope with all of the health issues that I have.

gosh thats a hard one, i loose it just about every day. ive had really mad migraine headaches my whole life and fibro for about the past 6 years but i've only had really bad daily pain for the last year and i go completly batty alot of the time. my friends and family don't understand so i come here and it helps tremendously.
i also have a theripist so that helps
i shower everyday and belive it or not that helps
i do yoga and that helps with the pain
i stay pro active with my pain management and stay on the docters and that makes me feel better
i tell my family and friends where to shove it when they are being insensitive that helps
i pace myself
i take one day outta the week to just have a "me" day where i sit in bed and recoupe form it all and my fam leaves me alone kids hubby everything
i knitt and write and find hobbies to take my mind of the pain
i help my other chronically ill friends with thier pain, there's strength in numbers

and 3 days outta the months i'm curld up in a ball crying like a baby cause i feel like i cant handle it all. i just keep telling myself with time comes exsperiece and with experience comes wisdome and age...and all that.

Hmm..interesting topic. I think positive attitude is key also. When it all starts to hit me like a ton of bricks, and the pain unbearable times, I rest and relax and think of anything that might help ease the pain. Coming here has given me some ideas to try. The rest of the time I try to find anything and everything to keep my mind off pain. I do not compare what's now and what was in my past. I try new hobbies or pastimes, find funny stuff to read, talk to loving supportive people like here on DS, and certain friends or relatives, and I rub or brush my kitties. They really rely on my love and it makes me smile to give it to them. I suppose volunteering with animals or humans would have the same effect.
Thanks for asking. Hope you get some ideas to take away with you.
Hugz ~Sandy~

Well it dependson where and what kind of pain you have/... nerve pain is very different from muscle, joint or bone pain.. all respond to different meds and treatments.. i have nerve pain which only is helped by narcotics ( i have had a morphine pump for 4 years now and love it!!!) but imflamation does not respond well to narcotics at least not without a antiflammitory in addtion. I have had this horrible pain for13 years , and was suicidal for years. Now that my pain is under control, (almost compelty gone) my life quality if back on track! Do not give up, if your down, email me at kimmyeast@yahoo.com, or call me even... i will give you my phone number privatley.. hang in there and ask me any questions you got~ Cindy

I have over 1000 hours of movies/tv on dvd so I tendt to watch something and releax on my chair that helps, playing with my daughter helps take my mind off of it. I also lean on my faith, family, freinds and other such ppl I meet on ds

I do alot of things besides the meds. I go to the gym, I have a trainer who uunderstands my problems, it's important for me to stay active.I do meditation, it helps me get my mind off things. I go for myofascial release physical therapy., chiro and massage therapy. All costly but it helps me.

I force myself to get out of the apartment and see people. Thinking positively as much as possible helps. I avoid negative people because it makes it harder for me to cope. Showering and shaving and daily personal hygiene are important because I otherwise feel like a slouch. I try not to think what my life would have been had it not been for my health problems. That's a dead end, go nowhere thought process and time wasted on what I can do now.

I also get online and talk with you all or listen. It really helps me to feel connected to people who understand that this is not something I choose to have. I am struggling with SSDI now and it is easy to get down when you don't want your condition but then have to fight and prove it. It feels like I've given up, to a certain extent. And I guess I have on some goals. Now I try to think more about others' problems and realize I could be much worse off.

I also have my dogs that need me and I need them! My many pets are my best friends and that's ok with me. They keep me physically and mentally occupied and not dwelling on the pain.

Cope? Who Copes??? They're coming to take me away, HA HA!!

Help
I'm lost
I've gone to look for myself
If I should return before I get back
Please ask me to wait.

LOL