Replies to 'Living with Chronic Pain'

Has your dr discussed Remicade with you? It's more aggressive for chronic pain. I have not tried it yet. You didn't mention pain meds. Depression is a big part of chronic illness. Personally, I've started Effexor. You have to help yourself before the depression completely takes over. I HATE drugs but, I'm not going to put myself through any more hell. I have my liver checked every 3 mos. to reassure myself. like I said I'm 37 I have Fibromyalgia & Ankylosing Spondylitis. I'm in chronic pain & it's devastating because like you & so many others it's an INVISIBLE disease. People can't understand something they have never had to deal with. I know it feels pointless talking because you get that blank stare "know idea  of what you're talking about. I think it's healthy to have a good cry. It helps to release some of the pent up anger. Sometimes if you get the chance to be alone express your feelings by yelling. I know it sounds crazy but, we're limited as to what we can do. It would be great if we could go for a long run, punch a heavy bag... I have to go my back is SCREAMING! I hope I helped you. I know a lot of people meditate & do yoga/tai chi & claim it really helps. ONE more thing I've tried a lot of natural remedies but, ther is 1 thing that helps. Osteo-Bi Flex it takes 1 month to feel the difference. I've tried others but I don't get the same results. Drug Mart, CVS, Walgreens, has buy 1 get 1 free or, 50% off. So, 2 mos. supply costs $30.00. Don't stop taking it in a few days the pain is back. I know you don't want to hear this but, stop calling yourself fat!! You can't afford to cause any more emotional harm.

Good Luck, Michelle   

  I  can so relate  to both of you!  Wow  I thought I was  alone.  My husband just sent me this and I told him it was me in a nutshell!  I too have fibromyalgia  along with RSD.  I have been getting spinal injections.  I am on lots of medication, including some to help with both the pain and depression that go along with this.  I am  only 43 years old and sometimes feel 90.  When I was working (full time) I thought I was having a mental breakdown.  I would constantly hurt and come home crying, my husband would ask what's wrong and I would say I don't know I just don't feel good.  I could somehow feel myself slipping away.  I finally couldn't take the pain any more (and since having a car accident) knew I needed a neck fusion.  I had put it off, scared of more pain and the unknown and trying to keep up being a wife, mother and good worker on my job never took the time to see the doctors much less schedule a surgery.  Finally the pain got worse and worse and I could barely lift my arm, I had to take a medical leave not now but as of yesterday.
I lost my job (they fired me!) and my sense of "importance".  I have had my neck fusion and can't believe I put it off so long!  I just started thinking well, maybe I could go back to work, then I had a Gallbladder attack and needed my gallstones removed right away!  My pain hasn't let up from the Fibro or RSD, I still like you have good days and bad.  On the bad, I stay in bed in my pj's until I feel better.  I now am begining to learn it's in the pacing yourself, realizing this is real and not going to go away overnight.  One of you said you take "one day at a time, sometimes one minute"~ That is HUGE!  I learned that while going through all this and loosing my Mom.  She passed away.  Take that second, minute it's OK.  I try to read to take my mind off the pain and I have a bird feeder outside my bedroom window.  When times are hard I watch the birds. My husband and 2 sons are also very understanding and loving and that too is what keeps me going and not doing myself in.  I also found doctors that understand, and therapists that specialize in Fibro and chronic pain~That's important.  You need that especially if you need to see the doctor every week and feel comfortable.  Although once we tried this and that and tweaked meds and got a regimine it is easier to tolerate.  Just remember Not to over do it! Pace yourself and if you are having a bad day it's ok to do your best to relax, stay in bed whatever.  I went into research mode to try and learn as much as I could and through one of the sites I even have my own penpal (email pal) who like me is suffering, she's had it for 9 years and she helped a lot with sugguestions, encouragement and her own knowledge from experience.  This is a wide spread problem that really isn't talked about much.  In fact I think my Mother may have had it also.  I too feel fat ok am fat, I want to loose 50 lbs.  I joined a gym and did cardio and aquadics which I liked along with getting back to yoga.  I've had to stop now since my gallbladder surgery but want to go back when I can.  I changed my diet though, and am trying really hard to eat healthy and clean.
Well I wrote a book, and I won't give you the look on the bright side cause sometimes it's cloudy!  And some days I'm cheerier than others.  I guess what I will tell you is find a way on those bad days or cloudy depressive days, find a way to laugh or make yourself feel better.  Someone once said to me, "what would you tell your best friend if she were in this situation?"  You should treat yourself as your own best friend! If that doesn't work go to a hallmark store and read the funny cards until you laugh out loud! No joke I did that once!  Try to stay strong don't give up.  Hook up with one of us and let's form a group. We could help each other, if nothing else keep you company.  Oh yeah, I bought a laptop for those times I knew I would be in bed. Write me I'm here, no need to be alone.  :)