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...
Don't know if this is actually off-topic as it relates to dealing with Chronic Pain, but I have a question to posit to you guys. How do you know a friend is a good person to be openly honest with? For example, I have several friends, but I am always scared to really let them know about the things I'm struggling with. I wish to God I could tell if it'd be ok to let them know what's going on in my life. I feel like I should just keep things shallow...I do listen to anything they have to say, but I am scared to be a burden to them.
I have a friend coming over tonight and today has been an absolutely horrible day. I failed a test for the first time today, primarily because my memory has been shot with all of the med changes happening after my episodes of tachycardia, nearly passing out, and slurring my speech last Thursday.
My psychiatrist told me that she didn't suspect the 40 mg of Adderall XR I take in the morning was the cause of the increased heart rate, but she told me to stop it just in case. She then said that the Savella I have been taking for pain and depression can cause increased blood pressure and pulse too. I told that to the pain doc managing that med and he had me stop it. I'm at 50 mg right now and I'll be completely off it on Wed.
My memory and emotions have been all over the place. I failed the test, was told to go to the bathroom to try and calm down by my teacher, went to the bathroom feeling dizzy and out of it, threw up 3 times and had to lie on the floor again. My pulse was 155, but that could be just the anxiety and overwhelm I had from having my mind go blank and confuse things on the test.
I just want to be able to tell people other than my mom, my therapist, and you guys. I really need peer support. What qualities do you guys look for in your friends to know that they will be able to be there to support you and won't leave? There's so much happening right now and it's so overwhelming to feel alone and misunderstood. My dad just yells at me if I try talking to him and I know my mom means well, but she doesn't know how to help or what to say. My therapist left town for 2 weeks so I have no support there. I am just so sick of feeling alone.
I have a friend coming over tonight and today has been an absolutely horrible day. I failed a test for the first time today, primarily because my memory has been shot with all of the med changes happening after my episodes of tachycardia, nearly passing out, and slurring my speech last Thursday.
My psychiatrist told me that she didn't suspect the 40 mg of Adderall XR I take in the morning was the cause of the increased heart rate, but she told me to stop it just in case. She then said that the Savella I have been taking for pain and depression can cause increased blood pressure and pulse too. I told that to the pain doc managing that med and he had me stop it. I'm at 50 mg right now and I'll be completely off it on Wed.
My memory and emotions have been all over the place. I failed the test, was told to go to the bathroom to try and calm down by my teacher, went to the bathroom feeling dizzy and out of it, threw up 3 times and had to lie on the floor again. My pulse was 155, but that could be just the anxiety and overwhelm I had from having my mind go blank and confuse things on the test.
I just want to be able to tell people other than my mom, my therapist, and you guys. I really need peer support. What qualities do you guys look for in your friends to know that they will be able to be there to support you and won't leave? There's so much happening right now and it's so overwhelming to feel alone and misunderstood. My dad just yells at me if I try talking to him and I know my mom means well, but she doesn't know how to help or what to say. My therapist left town for 2 weeks so I have no support there. I am just so sick of feeling alone.
So sorry your are experiencing troubling symptoms. The question of friends and sharing is knowing the friend. I have had the same base group of friends my entire life and they know the good the bad and the ugly of my conditions. Several of them are in the medical field, also.
The reason I am here is to not burn them out. There is a relief in not worrying someone that loves you with every minutia of symptoms and about every day challenges with chronic pain.
This is a collective family here where we can share, laugh and/or cry. There is a need to give our families a break and for us to pool our collective thoughts.
My husband is also in this field and most of the time on call for 24/7 as the cliental come from around the world to the pain center. This is to give him a break from his job is and then there is me and our sons.
So I would say to think about your friend and how well do you know her? Have you shared deep feelings? Do you trust her? Not everyone can be the support and that is ok. Everyone has strengths in being a friend or they wouldn't be the friend.
I wish you a good time of sharing. This is a family and please remember we are here to support you in anyway we can do that to help you.
Hugs,
Joanne
as they are supportive and non-judgmental when you're around.
It's possible, for the friends that you really like and that seem to find good solutions to their problems, they may suggest something that would be helpful, that you would never hear from medical people.
Hope that whatever you decide, you're happy with, and wishing
you much peace and good health.
Hugs & God Bless
Lisa
However, I came here, and have made some absolutely wonderful friends and have become part of a new type of family. I am truly blessed to know everyone here and to have this outlet anytime I need it.
As for your friends, I would have to agree with Blaine. Try to bring up the subject, with just a comment or 2, and see how they react. If they react by asking questions and wanting more information, you know they are a good friend and are able to talk to them. But if they ignore the comment or change the subject, it's not because they don't want to be a good friend to you. The may just be slightly intimidated by the new information and not know how to handle it at first. Give them a chance because otherwise you will never know. You could be missing out on a great opportunity to add to your support group.
I wish you the best of luck!! And if you ever need anything, just send me a pm!
Love and gentle hugs,
Jenna
So talk to your therapist. He/she can help you figure out which of your friends you could trust. Then as others have said you need to approach sharing carefully and slowly.