Introduction

[Guest guest]

Moderator's Note: Welcome to the group. We have members from all over the

world with a large contingency from the US and Canada. Many of us, myself

included are on Disability. I was able to afford a Medicare Advantage plan It

is excellent. I would recommend that you look into one.

Moderator

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Hello,

I would like to introduce myself since I am a new member of this group. I am not

sure I joined the right group because reading the posts I think most of you live

in a different country than me but I like to think that doesn't matter. I live

in the U.S. I am 33 years old and I have had chronic pain for over 5 years now.

It started when I became very ill and developed one infection after the other.

Those were treated but then I developed severe nerve pain. It is very

debilitating. I receive disability income but I try to do what I can. I am on

government health care, and in the U.S. you get the very basics, so when you go

to the doctor you pretty much have to be dying to get any thing other than basic

tests done. I have gone to so many doctors, and they all do the same thing, and

tell me to go somewhere else because they can't help me.

One problem is that I have pain in so many areas of my body. It has been a real

emotional roller coaster, and now I am focusing on my mental well being, as that

seems to be the only thing I have any control over. The worst part is how no one

understands and they think I have some control over it. I see how it affects

people and they say they care but they don't like to be around either. I am

trying to get outside of myself and realize I am not the only one who feels this

way. I am trying to find ways to stay positive and find enjoyment in life,

without pain being the focus and the ruler of me.

It's taken a long time to come to terms with the fact that this may not change.

So I have to change myself. I am learning new ways to decrease pain, mostly

natural since I don't get a lot of help from doctors. Meditation, stress

management, water therapy, diet, herbs etc. I am learning what helps and what

doesn't. Well that is me.

Aside from my pain, I garden, cook and bake, work on my computer for other

people, and try to find the good in every day. Some days are easier than others.

Thank you for listening.