Can You live a Quality Life with Chronic Pain?

Being sick is an opportunity to experience ourselves in a new way. I agree with you that having a chronic pain will put a dent in our life which should have been a fulfilled life if we are pain free.

You are able to accommodate and adjust to this major challenge and this require no small degree of sacrifice. Accepting the inevitable has given you the freedom to think constructively and made the right decision to study and complete your PhD program. You have indeed achieved a fulfilled life despite the condition you are in which may only be a dream for most people who are trouble free. You are a very determined and strong willed person and see your pain as no barrier to success in life.

"I agree with you that having a chronic pain will put a dent in our life which should have been a fulfilled life if we are pain free." Zandi, I think you misunderstand. I didn't say anything about an unfulfilled life - for instance, I completed a PhD program 2 years ago despite being in constant pain throughout the nine years of study, I just didn't have a lot of fun most of the time because of the pain. And right now I am putting in 2 hours a day of exercise and 2 hours of yard/garden work (at 65 years of age) despite the pain, and I'm quite sure there are many others in pain who manage similar things. Lack of fulfillment in this context comes with giving in to one's pain. Lash

I do believe in prayers for healing. God listen if we ask for mercy and to heal us of our sickness.

Lash out if you like, Grandpa, but what I said is true. Many people, not all, are in pain because they don't take care of themselves, and many, not all, do use their sickness or pain to get attention. As for you, do what you want. Stay in pain or ask God to heal you. It doesn't matter to me which you do. I don't recommend shooting yourself. You probably wouldn't do it right and end up in worse pain than what you are in now. It's a shame you're such a hateful, bitter old man.

Another frightfully insightful and compassionate post from Bestboy. Perhaps someone should point out to you that chronic back pain, for instance, from a degenerative spinal disease like Ankylosing Spondilitis or Forestier's Disease is unavoidable, and that even when one follows the orders to lose weight and exercise, the pain does not stop even though one is definitely better off from a mobility and longevity viewpoint. In fact, the pain often increases because of the exercise. And I was particularly taken with the psychological profile of sick people as attention-seeking malingerers. But of course, you're so right, I just love being in constant pain, being unable to breathe most of the time because of my lung condition, and being unable to sleep properly because of those conditions and the mechanical problems with my nose and throat that cause chronic sleep apnea, it is the high point of my life being able to dine out on the stories of my poor health, and I really enjoy being irritable and cranky most of the time. Mea culpa, I'll just go and shoot myself shall I? It would be a damn site more effective than relying on belief in some bearded git in the sky. You need a brain transplant. Lash

I Hate to go to Doctors and find any excuse not to go. But sometimes like heart attacks ya hve to deal with them!

It is unavoidable as sickness comes to us unannounced so the need to visit the doctor often. You are right we need to talk to them so they'll forget they are in pain.

You seems to be doing well with your pain management. I am sure you have got used to your pain as you have been suffering for such a long time.

Looks like you have a strong fighting spirit. You are quite active and this helps in your quest to gain control of your pain.

I can't say that the past 26 years have been wonderful for pain control. I have done ferocious battles with doctors that have said that I am a substance abuser, I always come out on top of those battles, with the doctors apologizing for their statements. I am ready to take on the American government next. With the stipulations, regulations and interference in peoples lives, they have decided that we are a nation of idiots. They feel that we need to have THEM regulate our pain medications and tell us that we have been bad and taken too much medication. I take vicodin and recently had to switch to Tylenol 3 (which is like taking an aspirin to knock yourself out for major surgery!!!) so that the doctor wouldn't get in trouble. I realize that the regulation of medication is because parents don't monitor their children and the kids get into the parents pain meds and get high. But why do responsible adults have to pay such a high price for a few idiots? When I found out that I would live with chronic pain for the rest of my life, I cried for several days straight. Then I looked at the situation and realized that "I" was going to have to make the choice. It was a hard choice to make, and there are days that I hurt so bad that I would do anything to get rid of the pain. In fact I just went through 7 weeks of pure hell because of the pain in my neck. I had to have four nerve block shots which dulled the pain but didn't stop it. I swallowed pain pills and Tylenol like a mad person. I even went to class, drove, and slept with ice packs on my neck. About 10 days ago the pain finally subsided. I am still going to see a neurosurgeon to see what can be done. When I finally came out of the funk after finding out about being in never ending pain, I started making teddy bears. I got so engrossed in teaching myself how to make them, that the pain was shoved to the back of my mind. Soon I was designing them and then I was working in different materials. I discovered that if I could find something that required my full attention the pain wasn't so bad. My Mom used to use how active I was as a measure of my pain levels. If it was a really bad pain day, I would find the most difficult thing to do. If the day was low on the pain scale I would be laid back and fun to be with. I have always been a hard headed determined person, and I always looked at life as I could either accept things or choose to change them or find a way to live with what I had to. I was that way as a small child. When I was three I wanted ice cream before dinner. Mom said no, so I got on my tricycle and peddled my way, over a mile, to the corner store. I had to cross a busy street to get to the store, but that is where they found me an hour later. My parents were in awe! That tenacity and stubbornness has kept me going. I guess with chronic pain you have two choices. You can let it rule your life, or you can choose to rule it. The latter is the hard choice, but I found that it gives me a better quality of life. Sorry about getting long winded, but I did want to say that I really haven't totally adjusted to the pain, I just chose to do battle with it and eventually win the war.

I think now as we age, we are constantly being bombarded with body aches. The screws have gone loose after all these years of wear and tear and we can no longer sustain the body strength that we once had. Be tolerant of pain. It is teaching us something. To take care of our body as we are no longer young and to change our lifestyle to fit the age we are in.

I am learning to live with my illness, my pain and my aging body. I believe I have reasonable quality of life. The trick is to deal with the pain, to learn to cope with it and push through it so that you manage to do what you want. To give in to despair would be to give in to misery and then life would not be good. It all lies in our attitude and ability to cope.

Yoga and meditation helps in easing pain to certain extent. I think you are doing the right thing by practicing yoga.

Totally dependent on pills doesn't help us lead a normal life. There will be times when the attack come suddenly like time bomb which leaves us groaning in pain. Maybe a change of lifestyle, adopting new hobbies can divert your attention from your pain. Life will have a twist for the better.

I have had a chronic pain disease for nearly three decades. While it feels intolerable at times, in that length of time I have found things that help even if you are on medication. Ice and heat, pillows to support the painful areas, knowing your limits, gentle exercise, nature, inter-action with caring people, and meditation are some of the things that help me. Yes, I do believe one can build a quality life even when in constant pain. My very best to you in this, Pat : )

Just think positively, you'll be alright.

Joint pains are closely associated with our age. I have not experience yet (touchwood) but my BP is one that I need to be careful about. I see that you are busy with your writings and your pets, this might help in forgetting the pain you are in. You're right, they are worse sufferings out there and we should be thankful for not having to suffer much.

Hi littleowl, when in pain it is best to block the mind of our sufferings. Create a positive mind and this should help in the healing.

Hi zandi, I am a great beleiver of positive thinking and do do that do it does help the pain a lot, and as you say 'blocks' it out...LoLo

I think you have adjusted your life accordingly despite the pain you are in. I am sure you managed to reduce the pain by diverting your mind to doing something.

Sad to know about the situation at home,, I d like to add ur name,, ,,Verrry meaningful comments I must Mention

Best way of managing pain, let us control the pain rather then the pain controlling us. With this we can still lead a normal life despite having illness.

my sentiments exactly. thanks, zandi.

It is indeed hard to bear the pains and needing to lead a normal life. But maybe like most of the responders here admit to diverting their attention to the real pain and keeping themselves busy while on medications should play down the pain.

Thank you for sharing what you have read. Those words are indeed an inspiration. What a joy it is to know that you will but put your self under the healing power of God now, that God's power will flow through you, healing every fibre, every muscle, every drop of blood! God is a Great Physician.

You have overcome your chronic pain and the thing that has become the barrier in living a normal life is the thought of the relapse of the disease. You should not occupy your thoughts on the recurrence of the disease as it will only jeopardize your daily happiness. Don't look at the illness, see the lesson instead.

Yes, Krausehome, after reading through all the responses I come out better equipped in handling some of life miseries and when pains come rushing to me before reaching for medical care.

Thanks riya, I learn something new from you. I think that is one way of keeping pain at bay, keeping notes of our activities and as you suggest pain management. This is something I need to remember.

Glad you found meditation a relieve to your pains. I am also into meditation and it is a great help in my long history of high BP.

A good approach to numb your pain. Focusing on your existing sickness does not help to get rid of it rather pretend it does not exist might help to go on with life as normal as possible. Thanks Rollo for sharing your experiences which might be of help to some people in the same situation. Life is full of challenges and we need to battle all the barriers that might be a hindrance to living life to the fullest.

Why do you pay for your deeds? karma? I am sorry to hear that you have been in pain for weeks. This doesn't sound good but hopefully you are recovering by now. Go for body massage, it is quite effective.