Guest guest Posted May 15, 2011 Report Share Posted May 15, 2011 Hi all, Thank you for accepting me into your group. It suddenly occurred to me that I needed help and support in dealing with my pain. I am 67 years old and can hardly remember being without pain. I have arthritis (osteo) as well as a foot/ankle problem which I have opted not to have surgery for (after much research). I have pain in my left foot/ankle, hips, knees, and left shoulder and neck. The pain that bothers me the most is my neck pain. I also have social anxiety. I think I have learned to live with pain and do my best to ignore it but suddenly I find I am really dwelling/obsessing on it. I'm looking for ideas on how to stop focusing so much on my pain. I know I can learn a lot from everyone here. I have a part-time job that I love! I tutor ESL out of my home. However, I find that lately, I've lost the desire to even do this. My heart goes out to anyone suffering from chronic pain. I so " get it " that others do not understand unless they've been where we are. Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 Welcome to a great list Judy. We share some types of pains. Do you know what is causing your neck pain? It's one of my most aggravating and limiting pains. I've dealt with this since in my teens when I had a whiplash while riding horses with friends. Then another in an auto accident in 91. Nothing seems to help this pain and if I were to take enough pain medication to get relief I believe I would have trouble staying awake. You are right, talking with people who understand helps a great deal. Jennette > Judy wrote: > The pain that bothers me the most is my neck pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 Judy, Losing interest in something you have loved is a sign of something that haunts many of us with chronic pain..depression. Please go see your doctor and tell him about your feelings, see if he'll prescribe an anti-depressant. I am Bi-Polar, and for the most part of 20 years, the mania has been the primary concern for me. But after my daughter turned 18 and moved out on her own, I hit a severe depression. I finally went to my doctor and asked for help and they put me on Lamectil, which has saved my life. My doctor told me once " how can you NOT be depressed, when you're living life only half way, because the pain is like a blanket around you that keeps you from really being able to immerse yourself in life.. " . And he's right. Chronic Pain can cause depression; people were not made to live in pain 24/7/365..and it wears us down. Marta > Judy wrote: > I have a part-time job that I love! I tutor ESL out of my home. However, I find that lately, I've lost the desire to even do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 I have never heard a description so true. I like that doctor. Jennette > Marta wrote: > My doctor told me once " how can you NOT be depressed, when you're living life only half way, because the pain is like a blanket around you that keeps you from really being able to immerse yourself in life.. " . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 Thanks for your warm welcome, Jennette. I am not aware of what is causing my neck pain. I only know that for as long as I can remember, my weak spot has always been the left side of my body. My neck and shoulder on that side always got sore when I was under stress and it still does.  I keep hoping that there is some magic answer, like a special pillow or a neck brace!  When I lie down, I can get rid of my other pain (foot, ankle, knees, hips) but this, as you know, doesn't alleviate neck and shoulder pain.  Thanks again and take care, Judy > Jennette wrote: Welcome to a great list Judy. We share some types of pains. Do you know what is causing your neck pain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 Thanks for your warm welcome, Marta. I've suffered from depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. When we first moved to this area I started seeing a psychiatrist and did so for many years. He prescribed me Zoloft for depression and I still take Zoloft to this day. My family doctor has been wonderful. He helped me very slowly wean off some of the meds I was on. He even tried weaning me off of Zoloft but this was the only med I couldn't seem to do without. I immediately started feeling very sad when he lowered the dose and he said I obviously needed to be on it.  It's wonderful that Lamectil has helped you so much. Your doctor sounds wonderful as well. So true re " how can you NOT be depressed? "  Unfortunately my family doctor retired at the end of last year. My husband and I had been seeing him for a good 30 years or more. Currently we are seeing his replacement but it's taking me awhile to get used to him.  Thanks again and take care, Judy > Marta wrote: > Losing interest in something you have loved is a sign of something that haunts many of us with chronic pain..depression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 > Marta wrote: > My doctor told me once " how can you NOT be depressed, when you're living life only half way, because the pain is like a blanket around you that keeps you from really being able to immerse yourself in life.. " I know the depression makes my pain worse. There is no way anyone would be able to go day in and day out in pain and not be depressed. I am on Sertraline 150mg a day and I don't skip a dose. Darlyene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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