Pain

[CatherineM]

I'd promised to start topics but have been too busy adulting. I live with pain. Sometimes it's worse than others. I wondered what people think about when they're in pain. 

When it's really bad, I pray. Other times I day dream about building something to keep my mind occupied. 

[BarbTherese]

 I wondered what people think about when they're in pain. 

My first thought: "Is there a pain killer that will help?"  To bear the pain as best I can with or without painkilllers.  I don't believe in wrapping myself in cotton wool, but then I don't believe either in asking of myself the other extreme (stoicism on steroids)  - i.e. pain so difficult it is most likely to be detrimental to completing a day or days, unless of course there is nothing I can do about it.  If it is extreme pain and nothing I can do about it, I might lie down and try to read....depends on whatever I think might help me cope.  Balance.

Other than that, I don't think I think of anything in particular ....... and probably most everything in general (the bipolar mind).  I have a painful back injury (affects my legs and walking specifically) and my doc tells me I am going to need a hip replacement in the not too distant future........also I have osteoarthritis.  It is rare I get into extreme pain thankfully. By back injury goes back to my late twenties and if one lives with a level of pain (not extreme pain) over a long period, I don't think one notices it all that much.  It is just life and the way things are.

St Mary of The Cross MacKillop (Aussie) suffered extreme menstrual pain and cramps and to alleviate this she apparently would drink brandy at times under doctor's instructions.  Hence the false accusation arose that she was an alchoholic. Can't win them all, sure is nice to win a few.

11 hours ago, CatherineM said:

I'd promised to start topics but have been too busy adulting. I live with pain. Sometimes it's worse than others. I wondered what people think about when they're in pain. 

When it's really bad, I pray. Other times I day dream about building something to keep my mind occupied. 

I am sorry to read that you live with pain and it sounds as if it is probably an extreme type of pain.  In my prayer intentions.

[CatherineM]

I've lived in pain since 1991. Funny thing is that it becomes a background rumble. When I get a new pain somewhere like a tooth or headache, I just go nuts. 

[Archaeology cat]

2 hours ago, CatherineM said:

I've lived in pain since 1991. Funny thing is that it becomes a background rumble. When I get a new pain somewhere like a tooth or headache, I just go nuts. 

While not to that degree that you do, I understand it.  I've not had the intense chronic pain with my knee since my last knee surgery 12 years ago, though it's starting to come back. Before then, every step was excruciating, and my thoughts tended to go towards Jesus and His pain. I could cope with that, but like you said, new pain would make me crazy.

Leo can't talk to me about his pain, but he's the same way. He can deal with the gallbladder stuff (he goes back for more tests soon to see how his liver is faring in all this), but any new pain causes him to completely melt down. Add that to being a threenager to begin with, and it's crazy sauce at my house. 

[Comingback]

When I had endometriosis in a bad way, I remember that the pain just became a part of me. I don't really remember thinking about it at all. Any new pain was very hard to deal with. 

[Archaeology cat]

3 hours ago, Comingback said:

When I had endometriosis in a bad way, I remember that the pain just became a part of me. I don't really remember thinking about it at all. Any new pain was very hard to deal with. 

My sister dealt with severe endo. It was miserable.  Sorry you had to deal with it, too.

[CatherineM]

4 hours ago, Archaeology cat said:

While not to that degree that you do, I understand it.  I've not had the intense chronic pain with my knee since my last knee surgery 12 years ago, though it's starting to come back. Before then, every step was excruciating, and my thoughts tended to go towards Jesus and His pain. I could cope with that, but like you said, new pain would make me crazy.

Leo can't talk to me about his pain, but he's the same way. He can deal with the gallbladder stuff (he goes back for more tests soon to see how his liver is faring in all this), but any new pain causes him to completely melt down. Add that to being a threenager to begin with, and it's crazy sauce at my house. 

I read an article yesterday about the major increase in gallbladder issues with kids. I was 19 when I had mine out in 1981. It took them forever to figure out what was wrong with me because of my age. I actually got diagnosed by an old warhorse type nurse. 

I guess no one will have to be in pain in Canada anymore since assisted suicide is legal. 

[Archaeology cat]

6 hours ago, CatherineM said:

I read an article yesterday about the major increase in gallbladder issues with kids. I was 19 when I had mine out in 1981. It took them forever to figure out what was wrong with me because of my age. I actually got diagnosed by an old warhorse type nurse. 

I guess no one will have to be in pain in Canada anymore since assisted suicide is legal. 

Can you link the article? Our ped had never had a child born with gallstones there before, and his specialist hadn't had one diagnosed that young, I don't think, but right after Leo there was another one there with gallstones. I'll be really interested to see what his labs and u/s show this time. We'd tried reintroducing problem (ie: fattier) foods, but that didn't go well.

[CatherineM]

http://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/health/health-headlines/it-s-alarming-study-finds-increased-number-of-children-with-gallstones-1.2817133

[veritasluxmea]

I've had pain from illnesses or various mild problems, sometimes for a few months. Usually I was able to stoic my way through it because I knew it'd soon be over, whether after the ibuprofen kicked in or after I took antibiotics or after it'd run its course. I can't imagine dealing with chronic, lifelong physical pain. I guess I'd deal by accepting it would be over when I die, but that would just make me depressed. You all are amazing. 

[Archaeology cat]

9 hours ago, CatherineM said:

http://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/health/health-headlines/it-s-alarming-study-finds-increased-number-of-children-with-gallstones-1.2817133

Interesting. I wish it looked at those who are born with them, with no risk factors, but the incidence of that is so small I'm not really surprised. I actually had them check Cecilia's gallbladder in utero so I could be prepared to get her in to GI if needed. Thankfully it wasn't necessary.

My grandmother dealt with chronic pain through humor. If she was especially silly, she was in horrible pain.

[Maggyie]

I don't have chronic pain but I'm very concerned for those who do. There are new regulations coming out about opiates which are pretty restrictive in the US. All because of addiction issues. Given our medical system i doubt people will be given the alternative treatments that could fill the gap.

[Didacus]

Les douleurs de ce monde sont ephemeres.

 

Hope the pain will give you relief soon.

[Seven77]

 I find it is very difficult to pray when feeling pain… I've been having chronic pain on and off for 2 years. What I do is identify myself with Jesus on the Cross as a way to pray at those times. I also do things I enjoy like art, reading, and watching movies--- that especially helps to take my mind off of it. Nothing wrong with over-the-counter painkillers sometimes, in moderation.