Anyone else feel Isolated and not go out due to chronic pain?

Posted by joannef20 @joannef20, Dec 23, 2025

Hello, I’m new here, I was recommended to join and interact with others who are in a similar situation as myself, I don’t go out much due to chronic pain and I feel isolated, anyone else feel the same?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

Profile picture for ellesea01 @ellesea01

Let her know we're rooting for her. Maybe she'd read some of the comments by people in similar curcumstances on here. What are her hobbies? I hope she has passtimes she enjoys & can still do. Feel for ya's. Keep in touch, it's good for both of you.
@kerryflow

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@ellesea01 Hello , thank you for your reply !!! She likes playing Roblox and Club Penguin on the computer , and was doing videos on her youtube channel : pook-all-caps , where she mainly plays the game "Dress to Impress" with commentary . It would be nice if you could reach out to her there . She was a graphic artist , and a writer before the chronic pain . And she loves cats !! What are your hobbies ? She also likes to play board games . It is good for us !!

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My chronic nerve pain has been going on for a while, but recently has gotten worse. With some pain, I used to use a push cart, something like a grocery cart, to walk from my car to my small boat. On the boat, I could manage everything with my hands sitting down. I enjoyed driving the boat and usually had little or no pain sitting down. Now the pain is severe in the mornings, and I have lost the desire to keep boating. My doctor prescribed 3 Tramadol per day, which does help somewhat. I'm trying to exercise some, mostly stretching. My main activity is the computer viewing YouTube. I'm getting used to staying home.

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Profile picture for kerryflow @kerryflow

@ellesea01 Hello , thank you for your reply !!! She likes playing Roblox and Club Penguin on the computer , and was doing videos on her youtube channel : pook-all-caps , where she mainly plays the game "Dress to Impress" with commentary . It would be nice if you could reach out to her there . She was a graphic artist , and a writer before the chronic pain . And she loves cats !! What are your hobbies ? She also likes to play board games . It is good for us !!

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Good to hear she has pleasant diversions & yaye you and her play boardgames..!! I'll chk out those sites as I'm not familiar with them. Thanks.
@kerryflow

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Profile picture for kerryflow @kerryflow

@ellesea01 Hello , thank you for your reply !!! She likes playing Roblox and Club Penguin on the computer , and was doing videos on her youtube channel : pook-all-caps , where she mainly plays the game "Dress to Impress" with commentary . It would be nice if you could reach out to her there . She was a graphic artist , and a writer before the chronic pain . And she loves cats !! What are your hobbies ? She also likes to play board games . It is good for us !!

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Oops, 4got this: I enjoy reading, taking online courses, music, plants, growing herbs, being outside, cooking from scratch & tutoring at a local college.

@kerryflow

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Profile picture for scampano3 @scampano3

HI Joanne! You are definitely not alone. I am a former powerlifter who can barely get out of bed in the morning. The common theme amongst my doctors is to "keep moving"! Once you stop moving, you can go downhill very quickly. My pain is a 9/10 every single day. Pain meds get it down to an 8/10, 7/10 on a good day, but it's often a 10/10 in the morning. I spent $200 on a stationary bike from COSTCO for Christmas, and the first thing I do in the morning is ride it for 5-10 minutes. It's amazing how much better I feel just by doing that! There is some physical pain relief, but it's the psychological feeling you get from the endorphin release that helps the most. Exercise boosts the release of endorphins, which are natural chemicals in the body that promote feelings of well-being and pain relief. Try it. It'll hurt, for sure, but the more you move, the better you might feel. Don't give up!

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@scampano3 exercise is great, but when every step is painful, walking for pleasure is out. I walk when necessary, force myself to go to Costco or for groceries. I have not resorted to delivery or a Roomba (lol) I try to do home chores. I am sitting now with ice on my knees. We do what we have to do, but most don’t understand chronic pain. We all need to encourage each other.

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Profile picture for hjhd @hjhd

@scampano3 exercise is great, but when every step is painful, walking for pleasure is out. I walk when necessary, force myself to go to Costco or for groceries. I have not resorted to delivery or a Roomba (lol) I try to do home chores. I am sitting now with ice on my knees. We do what we have to do, but most don’t understand chronic pain. We all need to encourage each other.

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@hjhd Believe me, I understand chronic pain after my 12th spine surgery in 14 years! Every step is extremely painful for me, too. That's why I bought the $200 stationary bike from COSTCO. I can only ride it on low resistance for 5-10 minutes, but I was amazed at the relief it gave me. The relief is only temporary, but it seems that's what most of us on this site need. Just a little help, even if only for a short time. I spend all day with ice packs on my low back and neck, like you do on your knees. Without ice and BioFreeze spray/gel, I would be in bed all day. And that's not a good thing. All I was trying to do was suggest that Joanne try her best to keep moving. Do something, even if it's just a little bit! I was wrong to suggest "exercise" for her. I can't even do that! But the bike and ice allow me to do the chores and get to doctor appointments that I need to do. ANY movement is good!

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Profile picture for yram @yram

@joannef20
I am in pain everyday. I can't really go anywhere because it can be agony . My husband is good to me but he doesn't understand completely. my best friend knew and she passed Away 2 months ago. I talk to God and hang on to hope and his promises. I am so lonely. Let's pray for each other and hang on to hope
Yram

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@yram I am so sorry you lost your best friend. I lost my best friend and sister a few months ago. I also live with chronic pain and not having her to talk to and lean on is unbearable some days. It helps me to read people’s supportive and kind comments and I have my little dog Finney to hug and squeeze-much to his annoyance. Take care of yourself and know we are out here,too. 🙂

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Profile picture for yram @yram

@joannef20
I am in pain everyday. I can't really go anywhere because it can be agony . My husband is good to me but he doesn't understand completely. my best friend knew and she passed Away 2 months ago. I talk to God and hang on to hope and his promises. I am so lonely. Let's pray for each other and hang on to hope
Yram

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@yram
I'd like to add my prayers as well. Our thoughts are POWERFUL. Thoughts are prayers, so it's helpful to be the observer of our thoughts. Where I focus my energy becomes my reality. The idea that a person is in a 10/10 pain condition, but still gets on a bike 5-10 minutes every morning, is a good example of how to change our energy, which the body follows. It's the mind, body & spirit connection. Pain is
Isolating, especially if I shut others out. Currently, the weather is cold and wet (PNW) so the very 'thought' is "Nope" not going out today. However, today I'm shifting that 'thought' to "It is going to feel so good when I come back." Best wishes, it's a new year and each day, a new beginning. ❤️‍🩹🙏🏼

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Profile picture for scampano3 @scampano3

HI Joanne! You are definitely not alone. I am a former powerlifter who can barely get out of bed in the morning. The common theme amongst my doctors is to "keep moving"! Once you stop moving, you can go downhill very quickly. My pain is a 9/10 every single day. Pain meds get it down to an 8/10, 7/10 on a good day, but it's often a 10/10 in the morning. I spent $200 on a stationary bike from COSTCO for Christmas, and the first thing I do in the morning is ride it for 5-10 minutes. It's amazing how much better I feel just by doing that! There is some physical pain relief, but it's the psychological feeling you get from the endorphin release that helps the most. Exercise boosts the release of endorphins, which are natural chemicals in the body that promote feelings of well-being and pain relief. Try it. It'll hurt, for sure, but the more you move, the better you might feel. Don't give up!

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@scampano3 You have encouraged me to get back of my exercise bike even for 5 to 10 minutes. In the past, it helped my leg pain A LOT, which if often 10/10. But like you, I am fortunate to have pain meds and Lyrica which gets my pain down to 8/10. Keep on keepin' on!

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Profile picture for bdwmc @bdwmc

@yram
I'd like to add my prayers as well. Our thoughts are POWERFUL. Thoughts are prayers, so it's helpful to be the observer of our thoughts. Where I focus my energy becomes my reality. The idea that a person is in a 10/10 pain condition, but still gets on a bike 5-10 minutes every morning, is a good example of how to change our energy, which the body follows. It's the mind, body & spirit connection. Pain is
Isolating, especially if I shut others out. Currently, the weather is cold and wet (PNW) so the very 'thought' is "Nope" not going out today. However, today I'm shifting that 'thought' to "It is going to feel so good when I come back." Best wishes, it's a new year and each day, a new beginning. ❤️‍🩹🙏🏼

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@bdwmc What a great attitude and smile. You are correct about our thoughts. I learned that dwelling on my pain(sometimes a reality) only makes it worse. It is not "positive cheerleader" way of life for me, but just getting outside for 5 minutes, to stand in the sun, helps my brain and mood. I use a 'Happy Light' for seasonal depression, everyday while I eat breakfast. There is science and research behind why that works to lift depression, available online.
Thanks for sharing everyone. I need to get back on here, because it helps to have community of people who have a similar problem. My hands are wonky these days so forgive my typing or spelling errors.

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