Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

47,612Members
1,358,869Posts
1,400,000Visitors

New

Unknown userMember10 Apr 2023, 8:53 pm AEST

New

I've not done this before so sorry if this isn't formatted the way it should be.

I am in my late 20s, and have experienced widespread chronic pain for for about 14 years now.

The pain itself is not particularly well-managed and the condition causing it cannot be 'cured' and, by its nature, will continue to worsen.

I function somewhat, with part-time work and lots of recovery time but some days are better than others.

The pain has reached a new level with a suspected underlying cause but not sure what (yet... I hope). It makes everything more challenging than before and, more often than I'd like, it gets the better of me.

I don't think I ever really 'accepted' the fact that this will be with me forever and that I won't get to have the life I wanted/was supposed to have/that society says is right or normal. I know things don't always go to plan and that is fine but I struggle when it feels like nothing is going to plan and everything is overwhelming. I often find myself wish I could take a break (from life, from responsibilities, from illness) just to rest and 'be' for a while so that I could at least have some energy to deal with it all when I came back.

I don't know what I am expecting or hoping to get out of this but figure it is worth a try.

I have enjoyed (for lack of a better word) reading your stories and hearing your thoughts in other forums. It is nice to see a space where people can express what they are experiencing in a safe and healthy manner and be supported by peers.

Hope you are all happy and as well as can be.

12 replies

1 - 10 of 12

1 2

In response to: New

OwlunarSenior Contributor10 Apr 2023, 10:45 pm AEST

Re: New

Hi @Former-Member

May I first welcome you to the forum - I am glad you found us - hopefully you will find support here - as I have done.

I understand - I too have chronic pain and it's for life - I've had it for years - your post really resonates with me. It is very hard to accept and it can't be cured - only managed - and yes - it is very hard yards.

Are you seeing a pain specialist? GPs can be very supportive - they are limited in what they can do or prescribe - it's a good first step to see one and hopefully get a referral to a pain clinic.

There are plenty - more in the cities of course and Melbourne has a lot. There are public clinics and private clinics - partly funded by Medicare. If you have private medical insurance you can be admitted to a private hospital for different procedures depending on your condition - and yes - this can be very expensive.

If you can afford it I know it's the best way to go.

Living in constant pain is a really tough way to get through life - of course you want a break from it - there is help out there though of course it depends upon your circumstances and also - the nature of your pain.

There are other people here who have chronic pain and other health issues - hopefully they will find you.

I will tag some for you

@outlander @Zoe7 @utopia @Shaz51

I truly hope you can find some help and happiness.

And thanks also for your feedback on the forums

Owlunar

In response to: New

Unknown userMember11 Apr 2023, 7:13 am AEST

Re: New

Thanks. Sending my best.

In response to: Re: New

Unknown userMember11 Apr 2023, 7:14 am AEST

Re: New

Hey Owlunar,

Thanks for your reply.
I have every doctor and specialist under the sun, thank you.
I wish you the best.

In response to: New

Zoe7Senior Contributor11 Apr 2023, 7:47 am AEST

Re: New

Hi @Former-Member and welcome to the forums.

As @Owlunar has said - I live with chronic pain also ...along with other physical health and mental health issues.

I find the physical certainly affects me mentally but knowing the correlation and signs does help manage both.

I have a great GP also that helps manage the pain and a very supportive work environment that also helps. I work full time but my leaders are aware of some of what I struggle with and help where they can. It makes so much difference having that support at work. There are days though that the pain is excruciating and I cannot work but for the most part I work through the pain and get relief when I can access stronger pain meds when I get home.

In the past, hydrotherapy has been a massive help but I cannot presently do that with my work schedule. There are other pools around that are open later but they also cost a lot more and unfortunately money is tight at present with everything going up so much. It is frustrating that what we often need is not available at times that suit us and/or are affordable.

Sitting with you - knowing that it is a slippery slope and one we sometimes just cannot conquer ...just have to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving even a little at a time.

In response to: New

MDTSenior Contributor11 Apr 2023, 10:13 am AEST

Re: New

there is a huge difference between things not ALWAYS going to plan and things NEVER going to plan hey? @Former-Member

I never thought about it quite like that.

I wanna come to something you said here "life I wanted/was supposed to have/that society says is right or normal."

I think what society says is bogus. It always changes. One day it's X the next it's Y. Screw society. In the end, society is made up of INDIVIDUALS. THAT is the thing to remember.
I'm sorry to hear that your chronic pain is causing so many issues for you. This would be rough.

Good to hear from you and i hope i see you around

In response to: Re: New

Unknown userMember11 Apr 2023, 4:18 pm AEST

Re: New

Thanks for your support. Wishing you the best.

In response to: Re: New

Unknown userMember11 Apr 2023, 4:21 pm AEST

Re: New

What society depicts as 'normal' is absolutely bogus. But not in every aspect. It's simply not true that it's all perfect, all the time. That's not how life works, healthy or not.
Best of luck on your journey.

In response to: Re: New

OwlunarSenior Contributor12 Apr 2023, 10:37 pm AEST

Re: New

Hi @Former-Member

I'm glad you have a good medical team around you - it makes all the difference when pain is on-going and debilitating.

You are right about "normal" being bogus - in fact - how boring if normal was the way everything was. I have rejoiced in the differences in life. I enjoy people who are unique - well - we all are - being unique is the only thing we have in common.

Still - I am intrigued by the differences in people - I actually don't know anyone of my age - which is in the senior-citizen age range - last week I spoke to another lady who just missed our bus - and we chatted from that moment until we exchanged names as she got of the bus the stop before mine - and we both hope to see each other again.

I am really glad you have joined us and wish you the best.

Owlunar

In response to: Re: New

OwlunarSenior Contributor12 Apr 2023, 10:42 pm AEST

Re: New

Hi @MDT

I am glad for the differences too - I think your work experiences have put you in contact with a lot of people who have always worn "A face to meet the faces that they meet" and how boring to be dealing with those masks - wondering all the time if the person under the mask was interesting or not - after all - who could tell?

The masses - yes - they might all be going in the same direction and no know at all where that might be.

You have been different though and aware of the dissatisfaction of such an environment.

Good on you Hams - I hope things are working better for you now - I hope your Easter was a good one in spite of the weather.

All the best

Owlunar

In response to: Re: New

MDTSenior Contributor14 Apr 2023, 12:51 pm AEST

Re: New

Thanks @Owlunar

I giggled a bit when you mentioned the masses.

I am reading Thus Spoke Zarathustra atm by Friedrich Nietzche

I'm unsure if you are familiar with it. The book is an allegory and contains a series of tales and or maxims by which people can live to become better versions of themselves.

The language is very complex. However i have found a YouTube series that seeks to explain it rather well.

In one of the tales and allegories he does speak about the masses. But more specifically how to avoid being dismayed by the same things and caught in the same things too.

One line is great - "retreat into thy solitude" away from the fake ones.

I would recommend it to you and also the series on YouTube that explains it.

I do hope your Easter was well.

Presently I'm eating lunch at work and am grateful for good food.

Back to it soon. See you round my friend

1 - 10 of 12

1 2