I have been living with chronic pain for nearly 10 year's..it has been a tough role to live. The Dr appt's, making sure you have enough med's, calling in refill's, calling Dr for Controlled med rx's. It seem's like your whole life revolves around med's, pain, Dr's....My family still does not get it. You would think after 10 year's they would know that it take's me at least 4 hour's after I wake up to be able to move or do anything. When I do, do something I pay for it for day's. I cut the grass the other day..just the front yard and all I did was push the light mower and poof....out and down for 2 day's and then so much pain. I do have a wonderful Dr. I work 12/14 hrs a week answering phone at a cemetery. I am lucky my start time is 1:00p.m. I am glad to have my little job, but those hour's are spread out over 4 day's. Getting reading is hell, but once I get there I am glad to be around people, good caring people.....that is my story.
backachedp
I've lived with chronic pain for many years....fibro,lupus and brain injury. My family still gives me "the look" EVERY time I take my pain meds or call in for a refill!! My husband says he tries to understand. The in-laws don't even wanna try it seems. They just like to give me a hard time about EVERYTHING. How long it takes me to get ready to go somewhere, why I don't get out much and ofcourse they think I'm addicted to pain medication. I only take one pain med (Lortab) and Soma for muscle spasms. I wish they could live in my body for just 1 week! But then I really wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Good luck to u! Sorry to have vented!
Terri
Thank's to those who responded to my first post. Life is truly no fun, but some of you have been suffering much longer than me and some are worse..there is alway's someone who has it worse than someone else. I must try to think positive we all must. It is hard though...The worst part or one of them is the family not understanding and or helping alot more. I used to be a clean freak and now it's hard to keep my little house clean, and that takes several day's. I don't live in a dirty house, but you know when you were a clean freak vaccumming everyday and dusting etc..to only doing it once a week it make's yo feel bad. I have to lay down when I am at home because the pain from sitting L-5 S/1 is BAD, so I lay on the couch propped up with pillow's. I don't care anymore about that, if someone comes to my home I will be comfortable! I guess that's why I don't go anywhere. I am comfortable at home! May everyone have a less painful day....
MY NAME IS TRACY AND I AM 44 YRS OLD. I HAD MY 1ST BACK SURGERY IN JAN. OF 1999, 2ND BACK SURGERY IN AUGUST 1999, MY 3RD BACK SURGERY IN JUNE OF 2001 AND MY NECK SURGERY IN MAY OF 2003. I HAVE A TITANIUM BRACKET IN MY BACK AND A TITANIUM SPACER IN MY NECK. I AM A VERY HYPER PERSON AND CANNOT SIT STILL, ALSO BECAUSE OF MY DAILY PAIN. GETTING UP IN THE MORNING AT 5 A.M. IS A CHORE TO SAY THE LEAST, FOR WORK. I AM A CNA WHICH IS NOT THE BEST JOB TO HAVE WITH BACK PROBLEMS BUT I LOVE MY JOB. MY DR. RECENTLY TOOK ME OFF METHADONE BECAUSE OF A URINE TEST HE DID AND I HAD NONE IN MY SYSTEM BECAUSE I RAN OUT. I ALSO TAKE KADIAN ONCE A DAY AND VICODIN. I KNOW THE STATE IS CRACKING DOWN ON PAIN DRS. BUT THEY HAVE TO REALIZE SOME OF US REALLY NEED THESE MEDS. WITHOUT MY PAIN PILLS I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO GO TO WORK AND DO MY JOB PROPERLY. PEOPLE WHO GET HIGH OFF OF THESE NARCOTICS AND OPIATES AND ALSO SELL THEM ARE GIVING US WHO NEED THEM A BAD NAME AND WE ARE SUFFERING FOR IT. IM REALLY TIRED OF BEING IN THAT CATEGORY BECAUSE OF ONE TEST THAT CAME UP NEG. IN 2 YRS. I SUFFER EVERYDAY WITH MY PAIN BUT I HAVE TO KEEP ON PUSHING BECAUSE THATS LIFE!!! IF I WANTED TO GET A BUZZ OFF SOMETHING I WOULD HAVE A DRINK AND I HAVENT DONE THAT FOR 3 YRS.!! THEN THEY WONDER WHY PEOPLE BUY PAIN PILLS OFF THE STREETS.I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING MY DR. HAS ASKED ME TO DO, PAIN SHOTS, PHYSICAL THERAPY 4 TIMES, I AM TIRED AND HAVE RUN OUT OF OPTIONS. I WISH THEY COULD MAKE A MIRACLE PILL YOU TAKE ONCE A DAY AND YOU HAVE NO PAIN!!!! I WOULD BE IN SEVENTH HEAVEN FOR LIFE!!!
I know how you feel..you are just a few years younger than me. I work 12/14 hrs a week answering the phone at a cemetery. There is no other job I could possibly do. My start time is 1:00pm I get up and can't move for several hours....it is so hard just getting ready for work, but once I get there I put my pain on the backburner..I can think about something else, I do have to lay down ASAP when my 3 1/2 hr day is over. I do enjoy being around other people, so mentally it is almost worth all the pain it causes. Before I got my little job, all I did was lay on the couch and be depressed. We sound like we have alot in common..3 back surgeries in a very short period of time, neck pain..I have not had surgery on my neck. I will never have surgery again on my spine or my neck if they try and talk me into it. I was hoping to get Neucleoplasty done as it is less invasive...but Dr said insurance companies won't pay for it. I take several med's for my pain but I alway's am hurting at about 7+. I have a wonderful pain Dr. I got my neck injury and migraines from a car accident in 2006..my head and neck were the ONLY 2 part's of my body that did not hurt..go figure:( I have had carpal tunnel surgery on both hand;s so typing is painful..so I will go now, hope to chat again.
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that you're living with the chronic pain, unfortunately I welcome you to an extremely large club. I've been a member for 38 years myself...and no, it doesn't get any easier. You're right when you say it seems as though your life revolves aroundthe appointments and medication refills and calling in for controlled meds, etc. it's all so much fun. But to have your family not understand after 10 years is a pain in the patoot! Google the "Spoon Theory" or "But you don't look sick" they are both the same but are a great way to help others understand what it means to be in chronic pain. I've used it and no longer have to explain to friends or family...it's great! Hope you find help here.