For those with Chronic Diseases - OT

[Guest guest]

I thought this might help others to understand what we go through. It was posted

on the Stills page on myspace.

Take Care,

Chris

MY PAIN - My pain is not your pain. Taking your arthritis

medication will not help me. I cannot work my pain out or shake it off. It is

not even a pain that stays put. Today it is in my shoulder, but tomorrow it may

be in my foot or gone. My pain is not well understood, but it is real.

MY FATIGUE - I am not merely tired. I am often in a severe state of exhaustion.

I may want to participate in physical activities, but I can't. Please do not

take this personally. If you saw me shopping in the mall yesterday, but I can't

help you with yard work today, it isn't because I don't want to. I am, most

likely, paying the price for stressing my muscles beyond their capability.

MY FORGETFULNESS - Those of us who suffer from it call it brain fog. I may not

remember your name, but I do remember you. I may not remember what I promised to

do for you, even though you told me just seconds ago. My problem has nothing to

do with my age, but may be related to sleep deprivation caused by chronic pain.

I do not have a selective memory. On some days, I just don't have any short-term

memory at all.

MY CLUMSINESS - If I step on your toes or run into you five times in a crowd, I

am not purposely targeting you. I do not have the muscle control for that. If

you are behind me on the stairs, please be patient. These days, I take life and

stairwells one step at a time.

MY DEPRESSION - Yes, there are days when I would rather stay in bed or in the

house or die. I have lost count of how many of Dr. patients suffered from

Chronic Pain as well as other related illnesses. Severe, unrelenting pain can

cause depression. Your sincere concern and understanding can pull me back from

the brink. Your snide remarks can tip me over the edge.

MY STRESS - My body does not handle stress well. If I have to give up my job,

work part time, or handle my responsibilities from home, I'm not lazy. I may

very well be overwhelmed with stress. Everyday stresses make my symptoms worse

and can incapacitate me completely.

MY WEIGHT - I may be fat or I may be skinny. Either way, it is not by choice. My

body is not your body. My ability to control my appetite is broken, and nobody

can tell me how to fix it.

MY NEED FOR THERAPY - If I get a massage every week, don't envy me. My massage

is not your massage. Consider how a massage would feel if that charlie horse you

had in your leg last week was all over your body. Massaging it out was very

painful, but it had to be done. My body is knot- filled. If I can stand the

pain, regular massage can help, at least temporarily.

MY GOOD DAYS - If you see me smiling and functioning normally, don't assume I am

well. I suffer from a chronic pain and fatigue illness with no cure. I can have

my good days, weeks, or even months. In fact, the good days are what keep me

going.

MY UNIQUENESS - Even those who suffer from chronic pain are not alike. That

means I may not have all of the problems mentioned above. I do have pain above,

below the waist, and on both sides of my body that has lasted for a very long

time. I may have migraines, hip pain or shoulder pain, or knee pain, but I do

not have exactly the same pain as anyone else.

I hope that this helps you understand me,

So when you see someone at the store who gets out of the HANDICAPPED space and

they look fine -- DO NOT JUDGE THEM as YOU may Not know THEIR Inner PAIN.

(unknown author)

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[Guest guest]

Wow...that sure describes it doesn't it! I'm going to print that one out to be

at the ready for family members, friends, co workers etc.

Thanks Chris!

in TX

----- Original Message -----

[Guest guest]

Your Welcome!

Bouldin wrote: Wow...that sure describes

it doesn't it! I'm going to print that one out to be at the ready for family

members, friends, co workers etc.

Thanks Chris!

in TX

----- Original Message -----