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Any experience with Residential Chronic Pain Treatment Programs?
Chronic Pain | Last Active: Jun 9 2:32pm | Replies (48)Comment receiving replies
Changing patterns of thinking can be challenging! For me, like the principles practiced in AA and NA, I got sick and tired of my focus on being sick and tired! With any habit, the way I think included, can be changed if replaced with something else. In my case it was about wanting to get my thinking changed from regret and my focus on pain, to what I want for my life. I want to spend my days in a more positive mindset and facilitate healing! I knew I wasn’t doing that and couldn’t do that if I continued with the attitude I had.
I started in small steps to replace negative thoughts. When I caught myself beating myself up or thinking about something unproductive, I would replace it with something positive. I wrote a list of things that I enjoy thinking about or that interest me. I kept it close by and would read my list when I needed to change my thinking. I had a therapist treat me using Biofeedback. It helped me learn how something as simple as breathing can lower anxiety and change my thinking. I’ve learned meditation since, which is similar and it continues to help with positive thinking. It has helped me to use an app on my phone for guided meditation. Even if my thoughts stray to other things, I’m continually brought back to focus on my breath which calms my mind and body.
It’s an individual thing! What works for one may not for another. For me, it’s about the effort I apply. I know my unproductive thoughts won’t change unless I do something to change them! It’s worth it to me to practice the tools I’ve developed and learned because I don’t want to spend my days living with regret and negativity. It didn’t happen overnight, but I’m better equipped now to change negative thoughts and my outlook about physical pain has changed for the better as well!
All my best to you in finding ways to help your physical and mental health!
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Thanks for sharing that. I can certainly agree that’s what I need as well. I have been trying various versions of that on and off for 7-8 yrs or so,as I realize getting to that place of acceptance and positivity is the way to live a life with chronic pain . Problem is I can’t get there . I know what it feels like, as I had a 7 month period when a new spinal cord stimulator reduced my pain by 40-50%. I stopped focusing on treatments , got on with new experiences and living a new life ..it all came together very quickly. I couldn’t go back to work , but volunteered at my own pain clinic ,Got off opioids , joined a choir , started an ebike group and a mens book club. Even Travelled to Italy for a wedding …it sounds like a lot but it was all paced in small amounts and it was good. Sadly after 7 months my carriage turned into a pumpkin and my body got used to the stim with the pain returning …a trickle at first , followed by a river. Threw all my psychological training at it to no avail , the functionality deceased , the socializing decreased and the isolation increased , the opioids returned painfully slowly and within 6 mths I was worse than ever before . That was 2016 and I’ve deteriorated ever since to my lowest point now. What you did to turn your thinking around is amazing and I wonder how you found a way to discipline yourself to the degree it took to bring about that change
I can barely think or function with my pain levels most days and the idea of disciplining myself to do that work each day is just so daunting . Did you have help every day ? I am alone in a house in the suburbs . My wife works and my kids have left home . Most of my guy friends friendships were based on sports or outdoor activities, so I’m socially isolated .
My question is , I guess , is there a way of doing that type of turnaround in the setting I’m in or do I really need to spend huge $ and go to a program ? My concern is that I go to a three week program , get all hyped up and positive and then return to my same setting .
I’d appreciate you thoughts on this dilemma .