How do you deal with chronic pain?

[Staygoldponyboystaygold]

I have a common condition that causes chronic pain. Some days are better than others. Today has been particularly bad.

I was wondering how others cope with painful conditions and if anyone had any tips. This is what I find helps (sometimes)

Tens machine
Heat pad
Rest
Trying to remain calm and avoiding stress.
I try not to take pain killers, but have to take them at the moment.

The above aren’t possible when I’m at work so that can be really hard.

Also I know movement and exercise is supposed to help, but at the moment I’m in too much pain so it’s a bit of a vicious circle.

How do others manage pain?

Much the same as you really. I’ve learned the hard way that when it flares up, I have to be kind to myself. Dial back on what I do to the bare minimum - it’s tiring enough being in pain! The best way to manage my condition is to keep mobile, and to do that I have to stay on top of pain relief.

Some people have a weird attitude to pain killers, and I’ve had some comment they wouldn’t be taking what I sometimes have to take. I’ve learned to ignore their issues, and remind them that if they had what I do it’s either take the pills or be incapable of anything! (Ad keep their damn opinions to themselves!)

Honestly, I just take painkillers. I have a variety from OTC to stronger NSAIDs and then codeine-based painkillers. I take whatever I need to cope with the pain on a particular day. Sometimes that's nothing, sometimes it's the max of everything.

Painkillers
Meditation
Sound baths
Sleep

It's really hard ☹️

I have found the curable app really helpful personally. It introduced me to the work of Howard Schubiner and a YouTube channel called pain free you which I've found really helpful but might not be for everyone - my pain came on after a traumatic incident so, like I say, might not be right for all. Sending lots of love and support - it can be so so hard and there seems to be so little help available for pain management.

I’m another who extols the virtues of meditation, it’s been life-changing for me these past few years. I can’t take anti-inflammatories (Ulcerative colitis) and I’m prescribed Opiods but I’d be an addict if I took them whenever I need them so I tend to take them only at night time if im in too much pain to sleep, and occasionally in the day if I’m in exceptional pain or I need to do something. They make me so wobbly that I can’t do much even when I have taken them.

The most important thing I’ve learned (30 years with ME/CFS) is not to try to resist it. If I’m having a bad day I rest as much as I can and don’t ever try and push through. I let go of any guilt and accept it. I’ve stopped giving a shit what anyone else thinks. Oh, and a heated throw has been an excellent buy.

Regularly rest and take painkillers to get on with my daily life. Strong ones.

Another vote for the painkillers. I never dreamt I would be taking the cocktail of things that I am on now.

However without them in bed bound and in agony. I have a 2 and 5 year old.

Painkillers are the only thing that keep me going. Certain people like to tell me they'll destroy my stomach, and my simple response is I don't have any alternative.

There's no point being a martyr if you live with chronic pain. Especially if you have children to care for.

I am what would probably be described as quite a holistic person. I believe in good diet, movement, Yoga, relaxation, breathwork.... But when my back was at its worst and I had to look after my baby, I was on 8 coedine a day for months.

Thank you for all of your replies. I think this is the first conversation that I have had with people who understand what it is like to live with chronic pain.

i am taking the advice on here and keeping on top of my pain killers, they really do seem to be what helps most at the moment. I’m lucky, previously I’ve found that they haven’t helped, but at the moment they are.

@Staygoldponyboystaygold, if you can access help through your local wellbeing services, it well worth doing. They might suggest medication (in my case they didn't need to) and can also give you different ways to process your pain and how to manage it. I found it really helpful.