How to live with constant pain?

[slipperandpjsmum]

How do you do it? I have good days and bad days and try and stay positive but sometimes I just run out of fight. Any words of wisdom would be really appreciated.

[CMOTDibbler]

Its a real fucker isn't it . I try and do nice things like a long hottish bath which is v good for my pain, and 'treat' myself to a mega painkiller night every other week to get a good nights sleep.

[Showtime]

I've cut down on things I have to do, simplifying life for the worst days, and found at least one extra hobby. Being totally involved in something interesting means being less conscious of the pain, and gives a real break from the misery.

[MNPin2013]

A long hot bath, an engrossing hobby in my case crochet and me time to veg.

[slipperandpjsmum]

I feel like I am losing my life, the life I had and I am really struggling with that. The loss of the things I can't do. What can I do to help come to terms with whats happening?

[2kidsintow]

Wow. I'd come on here to start an almost identical thread!

My pain isn't constant, and I can't medicate it in any way as it comes and goes. But instead of coming and going a couple of times a week, it now happens again and again and again many many times a day. It is triggered by every day actions (climbing stairs, bending, twisting, straightening my leg when lying in bed, turning in bed) and now means that there are so many every day actions that I never even used to think about that I have to do mindfully.

When the pain kicks in, it can't be ignored. I find it really depressing. Especially as it stops me doing everyday normal things that I used to take for granted.

[CMOTDibbler]

If you are struggling to adjust, then talking to someone about it can really help. I did some online counselling with a company called Spokzpeople, and it really helped me adjust to seeing myself as I am now, and my new body image.

Focussing on what you can do is good, and I think finding something new that you can do feels really positive

[awaywego1]

Therapy can e helpful to help you learn how to live with this and there is quite a lot of research into the best way to support people in this area-chronic pain and long term health problems but mindfulness strategies can be helpful. You could ask your GP for a referral to pain clinic/therapist.
It's horrible though and I'm sorry you are struggling

[SparkyDudess]

Do you mind saying what the cause of the pain is? I have some experience that might help, but a wee bit more info would help.

[slipperandpjsmum]

I have scoliosis and also a problem with some of my disk.

I know what you mean about loss of things I took for granted. I just feel like it changing into such a miserable cow! I don't want my dcs to look back on their childhood and think their Mum hardly ever smiled

[slipperandpjsmum]

Medication!! I don't want to be on the pills. Just stopped taking Tramadol and I had quite a job adjusting to stopping but it just made me so muddled and I could hardly get out of bed in the morning

Pain is really shit isn't it!!!!

[JuliaScurr]

this is the problem of having no public acknowledgement of our situation
have you tried cannabis products? I've got MS so it's been quite a big thing, but I've never used it

[JuliaScurr]

www.gwpharm.com/sativex.aspx

[DoubleLifeIsALifeHalved]

It's really really hard isn't it. Unrelenting grinding you down :( I find some types of pain make me less me (& totally suicidal), & other pain which is more localized I can still be me but in pain, rather than a seeping bag full of agony! It's hard & the support is rubbish.

[TheWombat]

I agree, it's very, very hard. I am sorry it's getting you down slippers.
Hot baths, an electric blanket and some very gentle yoga help me. So too did finding a pain consultant who listened and set up a medication plan for me. I find I get muddled and useless on tramadol too, but she gave me lots of options, and told me to keep coming back until we found something that worked.

I also agree with finding new hobbies that you can still do. I took up knitting instead of running, hiking and so on, and I made a great group of new friends through it.

I also try hard not to compare myself to other people - I try not to get jealous of people who can walk any distance / pick up their kids / wear heels without any thought. It did take a lot of practice in the beginning. I'm used to it now - it just feels like my life has shrunk a bit. But I just think to myself, there's still a lot of texture and value in a life that seems shrunken according to some very narrow perspective. That probably seems corny, sorry.

[slipperandpjsmum]

I think I am in the fighting it (refusing to acknowledge) phase which is really difficult. I try and carry on with my life and end up in agony and feeling like I am going to pass out, which happened today when I went shopping with my dd.

I totally agree about the support - their is none. When I walk into the playground with my stick its like I have two heads. I hate it! I feel alone in my pain and my life is diminishing and one day I will fade to nothing.

Apart from here with you lot no one understands. I am feeling sorry for myself aren't I? When I told the doctor I keep crying he suggested anti depressants but its just more pills isn't it.

Does anyone feel like they are choosing their body or their mind? When I take all the tablets I feel fuddled and confused and can't even get out of bed in the morning but when I don't I can think but the pain is so bad and then that gives me memory blocks!!

I am such a moaner aren't I!!!