How to deal with extreme physical pain
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How to deal with extreme physical pain
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Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain
#2Fuck. Shit sucks. I myself have dealt with long lasting (> 1 month) pain and it's horrific. Your whole perspective changes, you think life will never be the same. I can't imagine what it's like when these issues stretch into the years.
Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain
#3I’m dealing with chronic pain that’s bringing my current career to its end. I’m still unsure how active I’ll be able to be in the future due to it.
In my case it’s autoimmune; my body has decided it’s going to destroy itself from the inside out. Arthritis, psoriasis, GI issues. It’s getting worse fast enough that I’m being transferred to a hospital for care (Military, stationed overseas) and preparation for retirement.
I had a bad day yesterday; out taking care of errands to leave and everything flared. Sometimes there’s no discernible reason. It damned near floored me, but since I don’t have a vehicle I had to walk the couple kilometers back. It’s hard to describe how much ongoing pain changes who you are. It’s a constant struggle to not be an asshole because DAMNIT JUST LEAVE ME ALONE. It’s overwhelming and demoralizing. That’s before we get to the questions of what can you still do to make ends meet.
Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain
#4Fuck. Shit sucks. I myself have dealt with long lasting (> 1 month) pain and it's horrific. Your whole perspective changes, you think life will never be the same. I can't imagine what it's like when these issues stretch into the years.
Sometimes it ends up being over a decade and more than half your life when you're not even in your mid 20's yet because U.S. healthcare accessibility is fucking garbage, especially for those with abusive domestic situations.
Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain
#5I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia ~15 years ago. Since then, having started an immunosuppressive for something else and it seemed to help with the pain- now the doctors think it is psoriatic arthritis.
I am in constant, mild pain. Some days it is nearly, but not quite debilitating. Some people think I am making it up, exaggerating, or that it is all in my head.
There is no certain test for either condition- in particular, fibromyalgia is basically a bucket you get tossed into if nothing else makes sense.
I am definitely sympathetic to people with chronic pain, because i know first-hand the extent to which it changes your personality, stress and anxiety tolerance, cognitive ability and focus.
You are not alone. It sucks, big time, but you are not alone.
Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain
#6Fuck. Shit sucks. I myself have dealt with long lasting (> 1 month) pain and it's horrific. Your whole perspective changes, you think life will never be the same. I can't imagine what it's like when these issues stretch into the years.
Had invasive surgery on my humerus that involved drilling & cutting into bone and muscle. The pain following the nerve block wearing off was indescribable. Groaning was about the most I could do. The pills might as well have been made out of sugar.
You're right, perspective does change permanently. There weren't "seeing the light" moments but I certainly know now who my friends are. I have an interesting view of life now. The residual pain is a reminder that I don't have time for nonsense anymore. A pain in the arm is enough, I don't need a pain in the ass also.
I'm also viciously dismissive now of any legislation or practices that limit controlled substances. I'm not an addict and I shouldn't be punished for other peoples acts.
Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain
#7I didn’t realize how privileged I was until a relatively minor bike crash left me with a hard limp for a week or two. There’s a lot of lessons there (how can we design streets better? why don’t we focus on accessibility? why is the healthcare system hard to navigate?) but honestly the one that really hit me is how privileged I am to be healthy.
Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain
#8I’m dealing with chronic pain that’s bringing my current career to its end. I’m still unsure how active I’ll be able to be in the future due to it. In my case it’s autoimmune; my body has decided it’s going to destroy itself from the inside out. Arthritis, psoriasis, GI issues. It’s getting worse fast enough that I’m being transferred to a hospital for care (Military, stationed overseas) and preparation for retiremen…
It's a shame how hard it is to appreciate the times we're in good health. Though probably an essential adaptation else we'd be in sheer amazement at all times while healthy if we could truly internalize how bad things could get. How would we get anything done if we could truly marvel at peak health if we knew what ultimately awaited us somewhere down the road.
Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain
#9I’m dealing with chronic pain that’s bringing my current career to its end. I’m still unsure how active I’ll be able to be in the future due to it. In my case it’s autoimmune; my body has decided it’s going to destroy itself from the inside out. Arthritis, psoriasis, GI issues. It’s getting worse fast enough that I’m being transferred to a hospital for care (Military, stationed overseas) and preparation for retiremen…
I started Taltz to deal with my psoriasis, and found out what I had thought was something else turned out to probably be psoriatic arthritis, because the pain definitely went down after starting it.
It isn't a cure, but perhaps you might find some relief there if you haven't tried it.
> It’s hard to describe how much ongoing pain changes who you are
This is definitely true. I spent years getting back to being myself, I hope you find your way as well.
Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain
#10oh my. yes.
first it will end.
Get full range of motion back? maybe not,
but more than enough how much it will not hurt.
Biggest thing I wished they mentioned is that constant pointless pain changes your brain in
ways it is difficult to see from inside.
Consider mitigating that earlier.
If anyone is still tolerating you at home or work tell them I promise that you they knew will be back someday soon. (but no hugs)
In the bright side once it has run its course through both shoulders you will never have to worry about getting it again.