Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
by this stupid horrible burning chronic pain. I had a career, a social life, and a lot more to look forward to. For the last 7 years, since someone crashed his car into me (my car), I've seen one thing after another being taken away from me. First my health, and with that my ability to have a family, then my comfort, as pain tightened its grip on my body, then my ability to work and earn an income, with it my great career and high goals, and with that my ability to ever buy a home; gradually lost all of my savings; then my friends since they are all getting married and having children and I don't have a common lifestyle anymore. Then I lost my (young) mother last year very unexpectedly (not due to my pain, but still...).
I've also finally lost my self-respect and honestly my desire to live anymore. All of my former classmates are either VPs of Fortune 500 corporations or CEOs of smaller ones. I wake up at noon everyday and basically count the hours till it's bedtime again, which has been around 7:00am.
I'm in my mid-30s and feel done with life if it's going to be this way. Is there anyone reading this who has gone through something similar? I would imagine that everyone here has lost something due to pain, but it seems like most people have accomplished their dreams or lived much of their life before losing it due to chronic pain. Has anyone had to give up so much at a relatively young age (having children and maybe a spouse, their life savings, fulfilling career, and I don't know, basically their whole life)? And has anyone overcome their losses to find something worth living for again?
I've also finally lost my self-respect and honestly my desire to live anymore. All of my former classmates are either VPs of Fortune 500 corporations or CEOs of smaller ones. I wake up at noon everyday and basically count the hours till it's bedtime again, which has been around 7:00am.
I'm in my mid-30s and feel done with life if it's going to be this way. Is there anyone reading this who has gone through something similar? I would imagine that everyone here has lost something due to pain, but it seems like most people have accomplished their dreams or lived much of their life before losing it due to chronic pain. Has anyone had to give up so much at a relatively young age (having children and maybe a spouse, their life savings, fulfilling career, and I don't know, basically their whole life)? And has anyone overcome their losses to find something worth living for again?
And also today, it's been great reading all of your mini-stories. NYGirl, that sounds like the worst day, I hope things will be a bit better tomorrow. JordansMamma, yes, I will be in touch. Will also keep you updated on what I learn from my iovera consults.
A couple of you mentioned that sometimes the American Dream, or other personal dream, doesn't end up becoming quite what you expected. I was actually thinking about this later on last night. I remember an old co-worker saying things that implied he wished he just couldn't put up with marriage and kids anymore, and that it was beyond exhausting. Also, even though I really wish I could have been earning a good living, I have found a few pleasures in not working; I guess that's not surprising. Sleeping in and having all of this time to have my doctor appointments and run errands has not been taken for granted.
Nature is so important! I am seeing birds, trees, etc. that I never took the time to pay attention to. Thanks, I'm better this morning. It was so ironic that I posted positive stuff & then I was so sad & hysterical. I had to share that with you.
My American Dream is now completely different & new. I just want to be happy, be ME, not live to serve others, and be outrageous.
I also am grateful to all of you- the support here makes a difference in my life.
Hugs to everyone.
For me, it's been about adjusting and readjusting as I go.
I've never been able to work full time, but I can work part time on my own schedule so I've earned online degrees and do a lot of writing - articles mostly. I also help my son with his business - doing what I can do. That may mean billing, research, paperwork.
Some days, life is about resting. And that's okay. I make it as comfy as possible with comfy pillows, beautiful scents, a cat to curl up with.
Other days I can do more. On those days, I might read, watch movies, text with friends, get on here. I sit outside under the tree and read, write letters, do some writing.
On great days, I cook meals for the month and freeze them in individual tubs so that I don't have to cook when I feel awful.
And I have a group of friends who understand. I have a group I do water exercise with and people make class when they can. I also have a games group that plays Mah Jong each week - again, people make it when they can. And in between, we get together for tea, chat on the phone or have lunch together.
I have a lot of things I can do at home - musical instruments, art supplies and so on.
For me, it's been about figuring out what I really want to do and getting as close to that as possible on good days.
I also do what I can to feel better (acupuncture, chiropractic, herbs, etc.) and then try not to focus on it the rest of the time - I try to watch funny movies, read humorous books, listen to upbeat music.
And yes, I have my tantrums as well. Sometimes I'm so angry that I toss a book across the room or scream into a pillow. I have friends who also have chronic pain and we can call one another and just vent as needed.
I'm not sure if that helped, but hopefully there was something in there that was useful.