I’ve discovered the pool and being submerged in water is the answer to my prayers. It takes almost all of the pressure off of my joints and dials the pain down in a way nothing else can. I’m able to move in ways I just can’t on the ground. It’s like being in an alternate universe where gravity and pain don’t rule. If I had my wish, I’d live the rest of my life in the water. Instead I’m registered to start doing aquatic exercises twice a week and I’m ecstatic to have found something I can do to help myself. 4 years ago

the pain can arise out of nowhere for me, so I’ve started a journal recording events prior to pain… what I did to relieve pain… outcome. This will help me (and any doctors…) finally figure out the root cause of my pain. 4 years ago

arthritis since my 20s, myofascial pain, not easily cured, but definitely possible to manage… 4 years ago

feeling very sorry for myself and very frustrated and discouraged after a really bad night and several bad pain days. Met with a health practitioner who explained that I haven’t been doing enough to control the pain. She assigned me a system of mini-task – rest – ice – system to break the pain cycle. Every time something causes pain, STOP DOING IT IMMEDIATELY. Then rest and apply ice to the painful parts of my body. So I sit up to eat a meal, feel pain, must lie down and apply ice. Start to read a book…Page One, I feel pain. Must stop reading and apply ice. You get the point. When it’s time to go to sleep I discover that the ice pack has melted and created a giant wet spot where I was going to sleep. So I sleep on foam slabs on the floor. Wake up to pain so intense I can hardly stand. Get out the f’ing ice packs, repeat yesterday. 4 years ago

There is too much physical labor involved in getting ready for the guys to come in and do their job, obstacle-free. I was overdoing it and spiking my pain. It was surely setting back my recovery so I cancelled the job. Or rather, postponed the job until next year when I’m stronger. 4 years ago

Within the past few months, I’ve made a real shift from surrender into acceptance, which was the basis for this goal. I haven’t been out of pain since 1997. I will never be out of pain as long as I am in this body. For several years, I surrendered and let the pain dictate and limit my life. Now I find myself in a place where pain can force me to make modifications, and there are probably some things I will not be doing (as in bungee jumping is a really bad idea for someone who can’t take impacts), but overall I’m in a much better place.

So even though this will be an ongoing process for the rest of my life, I find I need the space on the list for other things, and I’m marking it done. 4 years ago

Have been so nauseous for days and yakking almost every day (a side effect of the pain medication). Why is it so hard to create something without harsh side effects with all of today’s technology and knowledge? Then I remind myself I am very lucky to still be mobile even if I don’t feel like it. So I’m going to my favorite bakery to pick up a fresh load of whole wheat or flax bread. Pause to revel in the delicious smells:D Then make a fresh sandwich at home and lose myself in a good book. 5 years ago

Maybe I do need to keep this on my list. Dr says that I must do plan and do something fun every day this week. I’m making myself a flower arrangement today. Then I’m stumped. Any suggestions (other than sex) for someone who isn’t supposed to sit and doesn’t have much money? 5 years ago

I don’t want to MANAGE this pain. I want to get rid of the f’ing stuff. I’m so fed up with the whole health care system (health Care is an oxymoron). Noone HEARS me. “You’re not in pain, you’re just depressed”. If one more health “care” provider tells me this, I’m going to go apeshit. Spend 24 hours in my body feeling everything my physical body feels. Then I defy you to cut my pain meds in half and toss an antidepressant at me in its place. I’m in so much pain I’m puking my guts up. Then the pain assessor tells me that I’m not in substantially more pain than I was 2 weeks ago, I just think I am. He tried to convince me that the only thing that has changed is my mood. No, actually, the physio has gone from gentle pressure on nerves and movement of my joints to very intense mobilization techniques (bending my spine to try to force the herniated disks back into place and trying to twist my vertebrae so they all face the same direction). It really f’ing hurts and so do the daily exercises that get increasingly more difficult and painful every week. Sorry that this isn’t uplifting and positive but this is where I’m at today. I’m giving up this goal because I can’t stand to think about it for one more second. I’m envisioning putting my health care providers through my shredder. 5 years ago

I agree with Episteme that this is more of an ongoing process, never to be truly marked “I’ve done this”.

My hardest part is learning acceptance. My natural inclination is to fight, but there’s no winning on this one, so I have to learn to deal with it. I haven’t been out of pain since 1997, and I control most of it with nutrition and exercise. I occasionally have to take something, but I try really hard not to. It would be just too easy to get into the habit of making the world go away. . . 5 years ago

Try checking out the website painaction.com- it’s a great resource for people suffering from chronic pain 6 years ago

The last week or so my arm’s been fairly ok – no major flair-ups… until yesterday… needless to say, I didn’t get nearly enough sleep, and keeping myself balanced today has been challenging.

I received the usual couple of abrasive emails at work (there’s always one in every hurd…) and found it tough not to reply with an equally snipe come-back… In the end I was able to find my compassion, but it really took some effort. Normally, equanimity comes easily – just not when I’m exhausted.

I’m make sure to take it easy on myself today, and try to crash early. 7 years ago

I guess this is going to be one of those things where no one can ever click on ‘I’ve done this’... so much as ‘I’m doing this’...

I live with Klipple Trenaunay Webber Syndrome, it affects my rt arm and upper body. While I’m thankful that I don’t have extreme physical deformities that are typical of this syndrome, I do have significant chronic pain.

Pain medications and alike only left me fighting various addictions to morphine, codine, et cetera – followed by challenging journeys of re-descovering self (those drugs WILL change you!) – I’m NEVER going THAT route again! (The last doctor/pusher who knee-jurked morphine pills my way won’t soon forget the experience – neither will those in the waiting room I suspect).

I have found that the worst part of chronic pain for me is the fatigue – both mental and physical; not to mention the depression and anxiety it brings on.

I’ve found considerable relief from meditation and yoga – learning to sit with the sensation of pain without bouncing off the walls and adding to the problem. For me, this is the goal – to find equanimity in the pain. It’s been a tough journey that is void of any instant gratification – but the return on 2 years of investing in these practices has made a world of difference.

Im still in constant pain, but it no longer dictates the conditions of life for me (most days… but, if I don’t get enough sleep, look out!).

I’d love to hear other people’s experiences – how they deal with the mental fatigue, letting go of the false hope of an instant ‘cure’, maintaining a healthy social life, keeping on top of the depression and anxiety, and all the other intangible symptoms/challenges that can be associated with chronic pain. In the intrum, I’ll keep a bit of a journal on the ups and downs of things – hopefully it gives relief to others.

All the best! 7 years ago