How do single people cope daily with chronic pain?

I have been dealing with chronic pain since my mid twenties. I am in my mid 70s now. My husband is dead and my kids are grown and I have to say that it's easier now. When I was surrounded by loved ones, I often felt like a burden or a dead weight. There were so many things to do-that I needed to do and wanted to do. Chronic illness saps energy of the one who is suffering and those around them. The last thing I wanted to do was wake my husband who needed to go to work because I was having a bad night. Misery doesn't love company. My kids are very responsive when I tell them I'm sick so this worked for me.
Now that I only have me to worry about,I can pace, stretch,slam things,curl up in a ball,whatever I want to do. Watching shows that make me laugh helps. Total silence helps others times. I try to stay involved socially even though at times, I find myself limited to face book. My point is , we need others but the pain is ours to endure and no one can fix it. Arelationship can collapse under too much pressure.

@rivermaya34 I have multiple injuries from car crashes -people in MN are aggressive drivers. Side effects from a poorly done brain surgery for an unruptured aneurysm. that managed to include permanent kidney damage from a angiogram Deal with chronic pain at night. Can handle pain in the day. Steroids are useless. Botox does not do anything. Injections have not worked. No family either locally or anywhere else but considering that is not a negative although Minnesotans are blankly uncomprehending that anyone cannot have a family. So very little support. I can handle pa n in the day but not at night. Medicines are too weak. I tend to use anger as a motivator to get me moving. (atheist so praying …. no). I try to get involved. Community things to distract. My animals are a necessity. Garden when I can despite physical limits. Wish I were still able to dig -found it therapeutic.
Obviously deal (or don’t) with depression.

I get through my "normal" to "normal+" pain days by trying to keep my mind elsewhere, using distraction. My distractions help to minimize the impact the pain has on me and hopefully help reduce it to tolerable levels in conjunction with my pain meds.
Working, music (playing or listening), reading, talking to friends or family, being active (going to the gym or a walk, for instance), or meditation (which I should do more often :).
I've also had good luck with guided meditation/self-hypnosis. I had a therapist introduce me to it, and while I was under, I could reduce my pain to zero. It was very fleeting, but it helped in that it broke my pain cycle.
These things, my personal toolbox, help me with my everyday pain. They are generally less effective when the pain is overwhelming.
I hope some of this helps.

@babare76 I suffer from Occiptal Nueaglia it is so terrible. here a re things are helping at this time. When I have my Flare Up they can last 3 wks, ice packs, hot water bottles,. Last month my Dr. sent me to Clincial Massage Therapy the very best helper ever. I went in with #7 pain level
after 45min. I left completley pain free for 5 hrs. I knew it would come back only about #4within two days 0 pain. I will be seeing her every month forever. Second I bought a book "Treat Your Own Neck, by Robin McKenzie I started doing what they recommend, plus I purchased The Cervical Roll Pillow, (you can also get it on amazon) slide it inside pillow case, good support for my neck it has been a game changer for me. My down pillows are off limits for me! whats nice you can sleep on your side as opposed to others I have make you lay flat. I also do the exercises by following Dr. Saunders (u-tube). In addition Occipital Neuraglia SNAG Technique by "Annie" Elastic Band Progression "Gentle Strenthing ProgramShe is a real joy to listen to quite, slow easy. I believe my problem stems from bad posture, and weak muscles in my neck and shoulders. I am doing pretty good, I will continue my Nerve block and trigger shots every few months, but now I am trying to help myself. Folks just do not how much we suffer with our pain, but those of us who do understand. Best to you, fr. Northern Calif.

@suszy39
Thank you lovely, for sharing your story, sorry to hear you are living with so much pain, sounds bad, and you look like you have some good coping mechanisms that meet your needs, bless you. I appreciate you sharing all your amazing tips, I'll be checking out Dr Saunders for my neck and headaches, mine are no where as painful as yours. 🙂

It's a wonderful community on here, and I learn so much every visit, and it's good to know I'm not alone, because you are right, unless people are experiencing the type of pain we do, they have no clue, and that can be frustrating.

I'm with you on the massage I swear by them, yes the relief is temporary, but they give us moments of peace and that's more than it's weight in gold!

I spoke to my therapist today which was great, it's a life line having her support again.

Wishing you peace and happiness.
Dee, from England 🙂

@calmmylife57 Thank you for your kind words. Yes we are in one accord with our struggles. I try very hard not to complain to others (expect you of course)and thankful I am doing better recently. I guess everyone has issues this happens to be ours, I was wandering did any family member Mom, Dad, etc have migraines? My Mom had them when we kids were young, she would get so sick vomit, couldn't stand light etc. but she out grew hers, mine started @ 50?
go figure. Have a wonderful weekend, we beginning to have Spring....few Almond trees budding
out.

Love that you shared. I’m married and also have caregiver, my daughter. Also I like your music. I also like this which is similar and lasts me all night.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ff2CAVQHqODPyqdPwB9Vp
Don’t know if the link works, but it’s Spotify app. 8 hour deep sleep music , Delta waves

@suszy39
Glad to hear you are doing better today!
My mum has epilepsy, and my son had seizures as a baby. Now, my son experiences migraines and vertigo. My favourite cousin also suffers badly from migraines, so there must be something genetically.

I’m waiting for spring. It’s still cold, windy, and damp here – typical British winters, haha!

It’s Sunday today, so I’ll do some yoga and meditation in a bot after I have washed up and sorted out my cat Cairo, while I wait for my carer to visit.

Have a happy and harmonious weekend too. 🙂

@rodeos
Oh wow!
Thanks for sharing the Delta Waves, Relaxing Music Sleep, it's now saved as a favourite on my Spotify :))
The more support we have, the easier and more comfortable our lives are.