Hi David,

Thank you for your message, I am in pain each and every day, but I refuse to let it get me down. I have had depression and know very well what it is like, I am thankful that I can see and hear. I also have a very rare inherited blood disease called porphyria which makes me allergic to daylight and sunlight, it causes other nasties too.
I have learned to live with it and there are many other compensations in life. I am sorry to hear about your accident, keep smiling,

Mary - England

Thank you SSLisa. It is great that you have support at home. True we must adapt to what we have to work with, and we have this place, with great people.

Thank you also Mary. I see you are fairly new here. Welcome, and I hope that you have taken the opportunity to check out the different groups here. Like I said to Lisa there are many great people here. Feel free to jump right in and ask questions.

Both of you seem to have an understanding that we're in this together. Thanks !!!

David.

I used to belong here a long time ago without much paticipation. My family accepts what is going on with me & for that I am grateful. My problem is that I cannot except my condition. I know I'm feeling sorry for myself but as much as I try, I can't pull out of this depression. I made a stupid mistake in insisting that I get off ALL my pain meds (all my doctors told me not to do it) so I would be "normal" again. I was just trying to fool myself. I used to do artwork for different stores & also did different art at home involving stained glass with painting,drawing,jewelers wire--mixed media. My hands get so bad that I can't do art anymore .I feel like I'm not participating in life anymore. I know that I sound like a pity party. My friends are gone & I guess I'm looking for new people. I've read things on this site that already make me feel better.I think I just need to be connected to people again. Thanks for listening.

Thanks Sandragal. We all get in our own little funk every once in a while. Check out the current topics here, and if you want to start your own, feel free. Congratulations on this post and possibly realizing it's time to make some friends right here. Thanks for your honesty and openness.

David.

I see I few people on here that I haven't had the pleasure of meeting. I would like to say , "Welcome" . I'm happy to hear that you all have the support of your family and some doctors. That itself is HUGE. I hope all of you have a positive experience here and i'm here if anyone would like to talk. Hugs to all

David - Thanks for the post. I guess it was something that some of us needed to hear. I will admit that I am one of the dreaded lurkers but I guess that is because Ive been the expert at hiding whats going on for so long that I cant even admit to people here. It has helped me tremendously to read some of the posts here and see that I really am not alone with what has been going on and that there are other people out there who are similar situations because I have never found anyone else who has been through anything even close to what I have been. So you will have to forgive me for lurking but its still hard for me to open up sometimes but I am getting help from the posts here. And Im sure none of this makes sense which is why I dont post!! Plus the new meds are making me a little loopy!! LOL

Jillegirl,
There is nothing wrong with you reading posts and identifying with other people. As I stated, I looked for a while, but once I started to let a few people know a little bit about me, I found friends that have changed my life.

It is not a requirement for you, or anybody else to post anything, but I will tell you and I'm sure others will, that chronic pain is a taker. Keep checking it out and when you're ready to reach out, you will.

I think it will prove to be an easier walk, knowing that you have people who know where you're coming from, and truly care. this could be the first step. Thanks !!!

David.

David,

I know that you're right and I am going to try to be more open. The while reason I looked for this site was because I felt alone, like no one else knew what I was going through. I guess part of it if the fear of rejection from try somewhere else. I know people here have also gone through the roller coaster of doctors and misdiagnosis. I do want to thank you for the challenge to those of us afraid to post. I think you have opened a door for a lot of people.

Thank you for the encouragement.

Jill

Welcome to all you "lurkers" it's nice to see you come out. From experience I can say it does help to get it all out to people that can relate.
I lurked before I joined too. I've never regretted jumping in, if anything I wish I'd done it sooner.

This is a good post Dave, You are very compassionate and that is what we love about you. I am a person who reply's but does not post a lot of topics because sometimes that scares me. I do not want to be judged or to think if nobody replies I will feel that nobody care's about me. I have been on here for awhile I took a long break because of depression and then got a med change and that changed the way I lived it is odd that a tiny pill can change your life but it has and I am grateful for it.

I know when I am in regular pain I call it I still may complain but I over do it to prove to people I can do it and then when the pain is bad I can take a break because they know if it is so bad I am not doing anything they need to leave me alone. It has worked so far and sometimes I have more really bad days then just bad days. I sound like a riddle LOL

I like to see all of the "lurkers" talking this is great. I for one am not as observant as dave and did not really realize there are so many people out there but I think once you start posting and getting to the feel of it you will be more comfortable I would say just tell yourself to post to like three post a day or make a topic it is great therapy and I sometimes dont know what I would do if I could not come on in the morning to get my dose of DS.

In one of my other groups we have a morning roll call that is just a topic to say hey and what ever is on your mind it is one of the best things I do in the morning and I love it. I wish we could have something here and if anyone thinks that would be a good idea we should toss the idea around.

I am a lurker too jilliegirl but I do post replies now and then. This is a great place to gather information, things to try for pain that I never heard but are effective.

David, you are so right! I found that no medication makes us pain free. Just takes the edge off. I've been working out at the gym. Not so I can look good in daisy dukes, lol (NOT), but to strengthen my core to support my back and help my general health. Do I feel it afterward. Heck yeah, but as time goes on, the pain is less.

So welcome lurkers, one and all!

Good morning my friends. Thank you to all who have responded to this thread.

It's not over. The "TRIPLE DOG DARE" is still out there. I hope you know I'm kidding, but you will truly be set free from a lot of heaviness if you let it go.

Thanks gr8tfel2b for your post. It was inspiring.

Let's continue looking and maybe today will be the day that you feel some freedom from self.............. Go ahead, make my day.

I'm still relatively new, but I'm not able to do much posting due to my hands. I've had a resurgence of pain in my right arm and hands/fingers. Numb/tingling, and severe pain with even gentle typing. :(

My original chronic pain is from my lower back...but my neck pain has flared up once again. Over a month now. THis was my main distraction, so I miss being able to come on here. NOw it hurts to even log in. Right now I'm in tears from typing this...gotta go. But this group is a lifesaver, and I'm thankful for others who "get it". Cause not enough folks DO get it.

Nurseliberty,

Thank you for this message. This shows me a number of things.
1. You took on my challenge
2. You are a very strong person
3. You have a caring heart
4. You understand the importance of sharing your feelings.
5. You are not alone

Thank you, and I'm sorry that you are struggling. I hope that the future will bring you some relief, and thank you so much.

David.

I don't think anyone understands what we go through with our chronic pain, it isn't possible when others do not have it.
My husband is very good, but my children are so used to mum having a "bad" back it is just part of me.

I don't mind though, isn't it surprising what one gets used to over the years?