This is a much more common problem than most people realize. In 2020, I found myself a "couch potato" from chronic pain (RA, Fibro and overactive pain response) as well as fatigue after of a serious long-term lung infection and its treatment. I was NOT about to spend the rest of my life this way, so I reached out to my primary for help.
She referred me to a Pain Rehabilitation Clinic (PRC) for help. This is not a drug-based treatment, but rather a comprehensive program. With a pain management doctor, PT, counselling, and a lot of effort, I learned to live better. Today I am able to be more active (still bad days) and fully participate in life (accepting that I have limits.) Once again I can volunteer, travel, garden, play with my grandchildren, and pursue hobbies.
Can you talk to your doctors about such a program? Mayo offers an in-patient version:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pain-rehabilitation-center/sections/overview/ovc-20481691
I was able to attend a local out-patient version through my clinical provider, so there are non-residential options.
If this feels beyond what you can imagine, you may want to start by reading this book, which can help you see that there is a way to live better. It is called "The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain" by Alan Gordon and Alon Ziv.
Who is ready to work at reclaiming "life before"?
@sueinmn Thank you so very much - I've never heard of this! I love the comprehensive holistic approach...
I'm ready! 👋