I've been at this a long............time! I have hope. Read Superducks posts about whining etc... I'm not saying that is what you are doing, but by having a positve out-look helps alot. I also believe in prayer and there is hope in that.

We that have chronic pain and know that it is here for the long term, have to be realistic in what we hope for. I hope I maintain my positivity. I hope I get the meds I need. I hope I get the chores I plan for the day done. I hope during my research I find new ways of coping with my pain and maybe even finding a way to lighten it up some. I came to DS hoping to find support and understanding and I have found that and much more. Hope is a powerful tool. I've heard so many on here talk about soaking in the tub it's motivated me to do it and it felt so good. Did it cure me? Hardly, but I felt better for awhile. I tried it because I hoped it would work for me as much as it worked for others.

No one maintains that positivy all the time. This is a big reason why we need each others support.

There isn't anything wrong with posting on more than one site, we all don't read the other sites so I'm glad you put this up here : )

Hugs & Hope,

Toni

Everyday I have to make the decision to keep fighting, smile and continue on. It's not easy. I've had some horrible days recently but I always bounce back because I have so much to be grateful for. You might have to fake it until you make it.

Read the post Duckie put up today the 12 steps for CPers will help too. Feel better. Expect good things to happen.

Healing hugs,
Marci

I dont have hope as far as I am going to get better but I have hope that I am going to deal with it better. You gotta find something that makes you happy to wake up in the morning. Weather it is animals or hobbys just something for yourself. I love my family but I got to have something for me to keep me sane.

Some CP people will take some enrichment classes at the local community college just to stay in the public and to talk to people and it is fun to learn new things I have been wanting to take a photography class they have I think it will be fun and also the psyche classes I like to know how the mind works and why.

Jan, there is NOTHING wrong or negative being R-E-A-L. It is a great question.

My answer: I have no flippin idea!! The only thing I try and do is be real...if I am down, i'm down emotionally or physically or both. The only thing I do try and do is not focus on the next 20 plus years. I try and keep my focus to a few days if I can.

HUGS to you!

Jan, I have my own backwards way of being positive.

My wife hates it.

I always imagine the worst posible thing that can happen and then when it's not that bad, it's good. Make sense?

So when I can accually peel myself out of bed and move, I'm off to a great start.

I hope this helps you in some way.

And yes, my sanity is in question.

Mike

this ones really weird.
i will either leave an irritant like a rock in my boot...or velcro from some brace rubbin my skin a little raw
or actually instigate an irritant myself. then leave it all day........gotta be medium bad irritant or it doesn't work.
after 10-13 hours thataway.i will remove it.
it's the only way i know to experience true relief.
when all your bad stuff is what it is..well you get at some place that doesn't hurt all the time and inflict it yaknow?
irritatin as heck man.....but when you remove it........REAL relief.
i suspect at these times that i've become in truth just a little crazy......................sowhat.
PEACE...................t

oh yeah....................Mike.....you.....are.......nuts:):)
PEACE

Eeyow, you are indeed nuts, but make an odd kind of sense. I, too am indeed nuts.

Thank you all for your replies. I'm still in the high numbers pain wise, so I've not been posting much.

Have kept up supporting others off board when I can, because it somehow makes me feel a little better.

I hope I can learn to do this as graciously as some of you.

Sincerest thanks................jc

I think there is hope for everyone if you do what manny and superduck said in keeping it realistic so you don't set yourself up for disappointments and by not getting overwhelmed by looking too far into the future. One day is enough to handle and one by one we shall survive it. As for hopes I'd like to add that there is so much hope right here on this site. Hope I can connect with someone today, hope I have a good laugh, hope I can help someone else, hope I can reach out if I have to, hope someone understands me, .....