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Anyone else feel Isolated and not go out due to chronic pain?
Chronic Pain | Last Active: Feb 22 2:36pm | Replies (134)Comment receiving replies
@charliegirl
Hi Lori,
Sorry I am so late replying to you. I seem to have missed a whole day’s worth of e-mails.
Thank you for your very kind words and thoughts and advice. It still amazes me how people that I worked/ran/volunteered with, whom I really thought were more than friends I just happened to have been people I happened to have worked/ran/volunteered with.
But you are correct, I do have a few good friends. Two have their own but different chronic issues. The nice thing is you can say things like “this week is the best I have felt in ages” (which I can honestly say I have not uttered in at least a decade) and they know you are not healed or fixed you just feel a warmer shade of feeling like death warmed over.
Sorry for being so very long winded. Just really wanted to say thank you so much for your kindness and thoughtfulness.
Don
Replies to "@charliegirl Hi Lori, Sorry I am so late replying to you. I seem to have missed..."
@donaldrobert Am 77 now. When first asking Drs for help for spinal pain (45 years ago) I was told I was being…”a big baby. Continued looking for another Dr. Finally found GP who did not seem to understand level of pain. I took
him a book on Frida Kahlo’s paintings after her horrific trolley accident in Mexico. He looked at her depictions of pain, asked to make several copies, and began listening to me. Years later he thanked me for helping him be a better clinician. I don’t think much has changed in the intervening years re: Drs attitudes about chronic pain but I encourage you to keep trying. Your voice must be loud and consistent, even if you border on being annoying. And perhaps you can find Kahlo’s paintings in the library. Just in case. Best wishes!
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@donaldrobert I left those so called friends behind a long time ago so its hard for me to recall how intense the feelings are when people desert you in time of need. But, I firmly believe people do not have a clue what chronic pain or disability feels like, until it hits them. They almost think our disease might rub off on them or something?? Also when we have "invisible disease " there are many who don't believe us. Or believe "it can't possible be as bad as Lori says it is". Well, just shut the door firmly, behind them. Move on. Find new friends even thru this type of support group. This is a good one! Apologies for typing errors. My latest symptom is losing control of my some of my fingers. I used to be an excellent speller and writer!! Have a good day, one day at a time. Let the sunshine on your face at least 15 minutes a day. It helps seasonal depression.
Lori