Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

I'm 64 years old with bad feet. I have 2 foot surgeries gone bad and now need a fourth one. Dislocated 2 toes on left foot and blew my ligament. It's a rare case and can't find anyone in the city willing to do it. So I've decided to live with the pain and take lots of rests. Severe ulcerative colitis also puts me cramping all day. Any suggestions for living with chronic pain? Maria.

I too live with chronic pain....not as severe as yours. I hope you can get involved in a good pain clinic to help you and get proper treatment. I'm so sorry you are battling all of this. This is what helps me:

1) My relationship with the Lord, reading my Bible and praying out loud. Some days it's simply, Psalm 12:1a, "Help, LORD".

2) Pain consumes your thinking. It's tiring. I get out my box of cards and write to others that are in need of encouragement and send them a card.

3) When I can, (due to asthma breathlessness, I'm limited), I call someone.

4) I laugh a lot!

5) I get on this website, pray for others and make any suggestions that i feel may help someone.

6) I call a close friend, cry and unload when need be. I try not to wear my friends out with my ailments as that would be too taxing on them.

7) I try and find something in every day to be thankful for.

8) There are two types of people in this world: Those that are self-centered and those that are others minded. I strive to be others minded. It helps me get my mind off me.

9) Bills paid? Food on the table? Roof over my head? Clothes on my back? A few coins in my purse? Friends & Family? Pets? Wonderful church? This website? Thank you Lord.

10) I try and stay away from a lot of negativity as it brings me down. The news, the exaggeration of the media on current events, etc.

You are special and I am praying for you! Hugs & Prayers....

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Good idea to not unload so much. I do try everyday to pray and help someone in a little way! There's a lot of stigma though because I have depression and OCD. Even in the medical field. God knows how abused I am.

God Bless You! I have a family member with depression & OCD that I try to encourage....it's so hard on them. Yes, the Lord does know. I wish I could give you a big hug. There's hope....don't give up mariajean03. What a pretty name! Hugs, Prayers & Blessings....

Thanks. Hugs!

Thanks dear. Send updates to me anytime! Maria. I'd like to know how your family member is doing.

An MRI very recently diagnosed my hip and outer thigh pain as terchanter bursitis

Trochanteric Bursitis

Hello all. I am sorry for the pain everyone is suffering. I, too, have had chronic pain which began suddenly about 4 years ago which I know is a short time compared to many of you. The first pain began as a severe burning on my back which now covers my entire torso. This is central pain syndrome which will never go away. I've had several nerve blocks that haven't helped. I was experiencing a host of other painful symptoms which were finally diagnosed as dysautonomia which can be helped by some meds and an anti-inflammatory diet. The latest problem began about 6 months ago when I started having severe right thigh pain which made walking anything but very short distances impossible even with a cane. I had spinal fusion for this a couple of weeks ago and during the process of MRIs and x-rays it was discovered that I need hip replacement (bone on bone) which is causing me brutal pain and I have to wait 6 months for that surgery. Not sure how I will handle that.

Best to all.

You must be a little relieved that you have a diagnosis. I also suffer from Trochanteric Bursitis. It is very painful so I offer you a hug. Mine is chronic and responds well to injections of steroid solution given by my Rheumatologist every so often. I also have SLE and Fibromyalgia. I hope you find relief.