What Distracts You From the Pain?

@sandytoes......depends on the type of pain. Sometimes I can be distracted. Lately, my headaches, migraines, which are in the area of my stroke, have been constant, every hour of everyday. My pain med helps my other issues, like type2 trigeminal neuralgia, RA, Fibro, ordinary arthritis, thoracic outlet. (Wow, I think I am now my grandma, lol.) Not perfect, of course, but helps. But very minimally the headaches!!! I use a combo of ibuprophen, aspirin, excedrin migraine, but the headaches are too bad for the meds that should help a headache. I've learned to compartmentalize my pain which is helpful, mentally. Yep, it's part of me, but just a part.

Not one of those issues is going to disappear, so along with the pain med, I keep busy and focus on others, or refinishing furniture, which I do very well. Very satisfying work. But lately, my stupid head is making anything I try to do a chore, instead of a pleasure. Hate to give in to it, but it's eating up my "creative energy". What I wouldn't give for something so awesome it could distract me from my stupid head. 🙁

@jmjlove As you pointed out, different issues/illnesses often have pain we perceive differently. Just think how a headache vs a migraine hurt! It makes sense that activities to get your mind of the darn pain vary!
If I can toot my own horn, I'm really good at furniture refinishing. I find it rewarding.

jmjlove, I see that you have recently joined us here on Connect. Thank you for becoming an active part of our community. I like that you are willing to share with us and give support to members. When you "tag" or mention someone by name please use the @ before the members complete username-- if you look at the beginning of your reply to me you omitted part of my username which is sandytoes14. To make sure your comment is directed to the correct person use @wsh66 for example, instead of his given name "Stephen" with the @ before it. Think of it as the learning process...you are not a knucklehead!

@jmjlove Oh all that work hope you got a better price

SandyToes,
I am working with a good doctor to wean me off the medication very slowly. I should not have sounded as if I didn't appreciate my doctor. Unfortunately he changed groups and they wanted him to wean me down more quickly. It is my greatest wish to get completely off.

Oh happy day! It's my 19th anniversary today. I have the most wonderful husband. Please send positive thoughts and/or prayers for him. He an unknown lung infection. I am desperately hoping it is not cancer. The past 19 years have been the best of my life! I could not live with out him.@susanlorrie

Nope, sold it to a son that had a terrible scaffolding accident, crushing the bones in one leg. They rebuilt the leg, saving it, thank God. He spent 5 months in a hospital bed. Had to delay wedding, then got married on crutches. As the business owner, he couldnt work or draw workman's comp. We flat out owned the place and sold to him landcontract, for less than we paid. Almost no interest either. No regrets. Good hardworking young man.

Hi all
Exercise, particularly walking helps me. I just have to encourage myself to 'get going'. If my day isn't really bad, my grandchildren help as well.

I am a colorist on many Design teams! Working on my designs help me to relax. There are many coloring books for adults for this exact reason! It's been proven to help with the pain! Pain helps me to be more creative when working on my designs. You put everything into the design!

I have been researching chronic pain. I tell the pain to go away, I do tapping, I visualize the part of my brain that creates pain, getting smaller. I do this when I am in pain. I see my brain part getting smaller. I visualize the part of my feet with neuropathy getting smaller. I really focus and tell myself that I do not need pain anymore, and that I am ok. After about 5 minutes or so, I find the pain goes away. All of this is based on pain research. It is the brain that gives off the pain signals, and the brain needs to change. Of course, I distract myself with anything I enjoy. I walk when I can, and push myself to walk. I love to read. I love poetry. I listen to music....could go on and on. Most importantly, I am trying to retrain my brain. Lori Renee