Living with pain is very difficult, as there are many times when there is no way possible for me to get rid of it or be comfortable enough just to relax. Having physical pain can be a constant obstacle for many people, including myself. Instead of remaining angry or frustrated, I try to create soothing options to mitigate the pain, like soaking in a hot bathtub or by taking deep breaths. One thing I have to learn to live with is managing the pain.
Another thing that helps me to manage the pain, is to create distractions. While the pain in my body is real and not just imaginary, I’ve found that activities that take my attention help me to focus on other things , such as reading or watching a good movie, especially if it makes me laugh.
Sometimes the pain is so bad, I feel like giving up. Even admitting it is a struggle.
There are many definitions of what chronic pain is, as everyone’s body and tolerance levels are different. What I’ve found to be important is to seek out help as soon as the pain sets in, as it becomes harder to talk about as the pain gets worse. As in my own case, I began noticing that my Fentanyl patch began losing its impact and the pain began to increase. I tolerated this for months and did not speak up about it. Now it has caught up with me and has become more of a crisis, as the pain level seems to have hit a tipping point.
If you’re living in pain, I would suggest that you try other possible solutions to mitigate the discomfort before turning to medication. A few examples are, acupuncture, physical therapy, or light exercise in a swimming pool. These are examples of things I tried before turning to narcotics, which for me was a Fentanyl patch. The reason I suggest trying non-medication solutions first is because you avoid long term risk to your body brought on by possible side effects and long term effects from the medication.
If you are new to chronic pain, I understand the frustration, anger and other emotions that say, “this is too much.” I know from experience that it seems like some days feel like they’ll never end, as well as the pain. In this case, medication can be a short term solution while you explore other alternatives for a longer term solution. The key is to take one day at a time and not worry about tomorrow, next week or anytime in the future.
Disclaimer: Please check with your doctor before stopping or starting any medication, treatment, therapy or exercise.
About Angela Pierce
In 1985, Angela Pierce survived a 125-foot free fall while mountain climbing, breaking her bones in 168 places. Her story of survival is a miracle. The lessons she has learned over the last 27 years are an incredible inspiration to others who must climb their own mountains every day. Visit her website, Falling Off the Mountain.
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