Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

@jerry4info

I think I'd be in unbearable pain if I had done all that you have the past few days. And I'm only 67, as of last week. Congratulations for having taken such good care of yourself, to be as strong as you are at 86.

I hope you can get some rest to let your body recover from what you've put it through.

Jim

There is nothing more disheartening than having your doctor just miss what you're saying. I've done a lot of research on what's going on with me and when I would bring it to my doctors they would kind of say, I'm a doctor don't believe everything that you read. So I bought them each a mug and turned it into a joke. The mug said ' Please don't confuse your Google search with my medical degree " and I gave it to both doctors filled with candy. They both laughed and it lightened the situation to where they would listen to me a little better and not be threatened? by what I said. Jennifer

@jenapower

Thanks, Jennifer, for your words. I've been taking antidepressants for 15 years. I have major depression disorder and anxiety disorder, along with PTSD, suicidal thoughts, peripheral neuropathy and a variety of other afflictions. I know that there are many people in far worse condition than I am. When I don't feel well, depression is surely worse. I don't know if I can talk to the therapist between appointments. I don't think Medicare would cover it.

Jim

Jen I had just a regular cyst caused by the 2 discs that were fused several years ago. The neurosurgeon wants to fuse another disc but is putting it off because he is afraid it might cause another cyst from the pressure of the fusion. But the cyst had to be scraped from my spine in such a way that he had to leave a little pinhole in my spine to get it all. I was leaking a little spinal fluid so I had to stay laying on my back for 24 hours which caused me to stay in the hospital an extra 2 days. But it all came out well. That was last December. This past April I had a left knee replacement. That was painful. Marield65

I totally get it, we may have different little parts and pieces of our disorders that are different, but the result is very similar. You're isolated, you don't feel good, pain is the worst kind of 'don't feel good', and I have found that most people for various reasons drop out of your life. It's not fun for them anymore even though you need them more than you ever have. I'm fortunate to have a couple friends of stuck with me, but I've lost more than I've kept. Hang in there, I know the depression we can get really really challenging. I do a lot of praying at that point. I know everybody here is always willing to listen. And they understand. Jennifer

They want to fuse three of my cervical vertebrae, you're kind of complications are what I'm afraid of. I don't need anymore problems, but the way I am now is non-functional, so I don't know what the answer is.

Sorry you're going through so much. I know all of it is a challenge for each one of us in different ways. Hang in there Marie, Jennifer

@jenapower

Thanks, Jennifer, for your prayers. I do pray, and believe in the power of prayer, but sometimes when I'm the farthest down, I find it hard to pray with much fervor. When I was in the dark hole, I could pray short prayers, and found that I couldn't read at all. I don't remember how long that lasted, but it was quite awhile.

People don't like to, or don't know how to be around suffering people, whether it's chronic pain, cancer, dementia or depression. They're sometimes afraid of saying the wrong thing, or afraid of sitting in silence, or just listening or praying.

I really don't have any local friends, except when I'm at church. We drive 30 miles to the town where we attend church, and almost all of the people live in that town, so we don't connect except on Sunday. I have 3 men whom I consider to be friends, one in SC, one 150 miles away, and I can't think of who a third one might be. Hmm. Every time we move, friends get left behind. Ah, I remember the third one - he lives in Texas.

I love my wife dearly, but she became used up as my support and caregiver, and I try not to load her down with what I deal with in my head. I want her to be my wife. I unload on the therapist every Thursday.

So, I avoid complaining about the pain or depression or anxiety, and I don't bring up the subject of suicide.

Anyway, such is the life of a person with a mental illness.

Jim

yes, i agree, with respect.

it is a good idea. i would use this site if it were available. good thinking. you are appreciated. good luck with your precious.

dear msrylou, where is your church located? thanks. sounds good for pain.