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← Return to Living in chronic pain
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Namaste pain warriors,
I came here today, as it's 5.25am when I started writing this in England, I woke up at 3.00am due to the burning, dull radiating pain from my lumbar and sacrum spine, also the neurophatic pain disabling my left leg and ripping through my hip. I took some Pregablin, and co-codamol, rubbed inburopen gel on my lower back, hips and buttocks and laid on my tummy supported with pillows. Put on some relaxation music and did some deep breathing. That's my coping methods for getting through my symptoms. I live on my own with my cat, I'm 58 years old and still work, my work is part of my toolkit, if I didn't work I'd go crazy. I work freelance so the people who employ me put accomodations in place to support me to work. I know not every employer does that, but it is law in England.
I've read all your stories, and I feel humbled to be in such a warm and supportive space, we endure so much, not being understood by healthcare professionals, family and friends is so frustrating. I understand how difiicult it is to feel isolated and alone, being dismissed, ignored and not believed, it's a horrible state to live through. I'm going to put a different spin on this, and ask what can we do make our lives more comfortable? In what ways? Are we open to using your own body to help reduce the symptoms if only for 10-30 minutes? Those where the questions I asked myself, as I didn't want to drown in my pain, I wanted to live the best I could. When I have my really bad days, I'll rest, lay in bed with my electric blanket, pillows to support me and sleep because that's what my body needs in that moment.
I have lumbarsacral and cervical radiculopathy, fibromyalgia from a car crash in January 2013, and hypermobility, every day hurts physically, mentally and emotionally, I mask it to the world all the time, as I want to work, I can't afford not to. It's by no means easy, I paid for private counselling for three years and the counsellor listened to me and guided me to develop my coping strategies. I've always been into self help as I no one is coming to save me. I take it one day at a time, sometimes every hour at a time.
I keep my doctors and consultants on their toes by reading up on my condition, peer reviewed research so I have gained understanding of my conditons and what I need to do to live and survive. I studied sports therapy and gained a degree and holstic therapies so I understand how my body works. I use holistic therapies when I can afford them, but most of the time I use gentle movement and yoga when my symptoms flare up and deep breathing exercises, otherwise there is no way I would be able to cope. I eat nutrious health foods when I have the energy to cook and my son will bring me meals or food.
We all have on our individual journey's, but we are here, we are present and we are alive, managing, coping sometimes, maybe not, but know you are supported in this space. We can come here for support and I appreciate you.
I'm sending you all blessings and love, because I hear, feel and understand your pain, thanks for sharing and being here for me to vent to.
Big hugs. X
Replies to "Namaste pain warriors, I came here today, as it's 5.25am when I started writing this in..."
Hi! I joined the “couch-bound club” back in June of this year when I fell backwards and landed on my bottom in our yard. That day was followed by 3 weeks of excruciating pain when getting in and out of bed and reaching to put on socks and shoes or bending. Finally the X-ray and MRI of my back showed a fractured L3 vertebrae. Suddenly I could no longer drive, wash dishes, bend, carry clothes from to and from my laundry area or grocery shop in person. A MAJOR life change for me. The back doc saw me in late June and said “it just has to heal”. That would be 4 to 6 MONTHS!!!
Suddenly no driving, housework, doing dishes, going AMYWHERE!
So I have been spending my days primarily sitting or laying on my couch. I began ordering my groceries online to be delivered to my home and I tip the delivery person for bringing them into my house. I set up TV tables by the kitchen counters where the grocery bags get placed so I don’t have to pick heavy bags off the floor. Then I have no problem putting the groceries away.
I have been alone during the days because my husband still works. He does all the days dishes for me at night after dinner. I have a back brace to wear when prepping his lunch before he leaves for work in the am, and for prepping easy dinners in the evenings. My back does get extremely painful if I am on my feet more than 30 minutes. I am hoping the healing will be complete by October 31. Otherwise it may not be until Christmas. Our children are adults and out of the house. We do not have any pets. I miss going to the gym the most. I can’t exercise until my back is completely healed.
I have never watched this much TV in my life. 3 women from our church each brought one dinner for my husband and I but the rest of these 2.5 months I have prepared all our meals. My prayer for myself is that I can live just one day at a time and find the patience to persevere until my back has healed, then find more patience to help me recover my mobility and return to my church and again be “out in the world”. Thanks to all who have so honestly shared their challenges. I, too, had three other major joint surgeries which are being challenged daily. I will pray for all of us. I guess getting old is not as fun as it is portrayed on TV ads!!🫤
Hi Archie Here.. tough day today— it’s hard to even consider 1 at a time, but life is lived 1 step in front of the other. Weeks go by and I look around and think, jeez, I made another month.
My AdhesiveArachnoiditis is now rapidly progressing. I didn’t know it could until I talked with the head of Neurology at Mayo earlier this year. He added that I should not expect the intrathecal pump to cover the increase in pain. Truth is, I’m having trouble dealing with the pain increase. I can feel myself getting weaker because of lack of movement and exercise. I just read about exercising THROUGH THE PAIN… I’m now 80 and for the first time I’m doubting my ability to do what’s right and necessary to stay functional and have a good quality of life. Strangely, it’s not depression, it’s the ragged rat of reality staring me in the face. Is this an inflection point where my body is not able to overcome challenges or unable to rise to meet requirements?? We‘ll find out. I haven’t given up, but I’m trying to articulate my physical/mental challenges just now.
Be well all… Archie
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I'm very sorry for you what have to endure, dealing with chronic pain and still having to work must be exhausting at times. I would love to have a cat to help keep me company during the day while my wife is at the office, but our landlord says no pets, period. I've grown up with cats around me for most of my life, and we've had a couple since relocating to the PNW over 30 years ago for long periods of time, and we grow very attached to them. Losing them is as bad as losing a loved one IMO. In august of 2020, my older sister died of a massive infection(not covid) at the age of 64. She never got to retire, or be a grandma, our grow old with her husband, which really sucked. Less than a week later, my cat Molly died after having her for a little over 3 years, and I was destroyed, and I almost lost it. I can't believe that was 5 years ago already.
Just wondering, what's your cat's name?