Re: Functioning with FMS & Crhonic Pain??

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/28/2002 9:06:58 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

la_misa@... writes:

> Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if anyone

> who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace with

> what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are

> living rather than just existing...

>

>

Hi,

I am unable to have a job or go to school because of my fibro and that

took a big piece of my life away. But I also find good things in it. I get to

sleep in everyday, I don't have overwhelming responsibilities. I'll never be

stuck miserable in a dead end job that I hate. I enjoy my life everyday. I

can't do the same physical activities that I used to but I haven't changed as

a person. For me the key to balance was finding the good parts of having

chronic pain and focusing on that instead of the bad parts.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/28/2002 9:06:58 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

la_misa@... writes:

> Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if anyone

> who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace with

> what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are

> living rather than just existing...

>

>

Hi,

I am unable to have a job or go to school because of my fibro and that

took a big piece of my life away. But I also find good things in it. I get to

sleep in everyday, I don't have overwhelming responsibilities. I'll never be

stuck miserable in a dead end job that I hate. I enjoy my life everyday. I

can't do the same physical activities that I used to but I haven't changed as

a person. For me the key to balance was finding the good parts of having

chronic pain and focusing on that instead of the bad parts.

[Guest guest]

I don't see this as hopeless at all. Yes we may be in pain and have

some limitations but it is not as bad as life can get. I guess that's

my perception,probably due to my own experiences with a health

problem.

When I was eighteen years old I was struck suddenly with attacks of

severe vertigo and lost 75 % of my hearing in one ear. As the

disease progressed, the vertigo became more prolonged and extensive,

to the point I could no longer go anywhere alone. Some days I couldnt

even get out of bed. I was raising 2 small children and was told my

only recourse was to have brain surgery to clip the nerve to my ear.

(No I refused the surgery) Even that wouldn't guarantee it wouldn't

progress to the other ear. I was medicated heavily for 20 years. I

knew what it was to feel completely hopeless, isolated from people

who shared my disease. Things improved for me! YEAH!

I don't consider Fibro to be hopeless, I consider it to be workable,

because at this point I am not in constant pain, and I still have my

independence. It is comforting to come here and read that others

share my bad days and my good. It is a joyful thing when I read

someone finds something to make their lives better. I will do

whatever it takes to get better, and I bet there's lots of us here

who will also. It takes time to find balance, but having others to

share with is an anchor in a rolling sea. So thank you everyone for

feeling free to speak of your lives. We are in it together, come what

may. deb

> Hi!.. After reading this forum for about a month, I wonder if there

> is anyone in here, while symptomatic and in daily pain, who feels

> that they've found a sense of balance in their lives. I know that

FM

> has its ups and downs, good days, bad days and days to die from and

> that living with Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if

anyone

> who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace

with

> what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are

> living rather than just existing...

>

> What works great for one person will do nothing for another so I am

> not looking for that...Hope is what I'd like to see spoken of in

> here. While I get alot of information here, I see only despair

among

> most of the posters. Do you have hope?.....Lamisa

[Guest guest]

I don't see this as hopeless at all. Yes we may be in pain and have

some limitations but it is not as bad as life can get. I guess that's

my perception,probably due to my own experiences with a health

problem.

When I was eighteen years old I was struck suddenly with attacks of

severe vertigo and lost 75 % of my hearing in one ear. As the

disease progressed, the vertigo became more prolonged and extensive,

to the point I could no longer go anywhere alone. Some days I couldnt

even get out of bed. I was raising 2 small children and was told my

only recourse was to have brain surgery to clip the nerve to my ear.

(No I refused the surgery) Even that wouldn't guarantee it wouldn't

progress to the other ear. I was medicated heavily for 20 years. I

knew what it was to feel completely hopeless, isolated from people

who shared my disease. Things improved for me! YEAH!

I don't consider Fibro to be hopeless, I consider it to be workable,

because at this point I am not in constant pain, and I still have my

independence. It is comforting to come here and read that others

share my bad days and my good. It is a joyful thing when I read

someone finds something to make their lives better. I will do

whatever it takes to get better, and I bet there's lots of us here

who will also. It takes time to find balance, but having others to

share with is an anchor in a rolling sea. So thank you everyone for

feeling free to speak of your lives. We are in it together, come what

may. deb

> Hi!.. After reading this forum for about a month, I wonder if there

> is anyone in here, while symptomatic and in daily pain, who feels

> that they've found a sense of balance in their lives. I know that

FM

> has its ups and downs, good days, bad days and days to die from and

> that living with Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if

anyone

> who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace

with

> what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are

> living rather than just existing...

>

> What works great for one person will do nothing for another so I am

> not looking for that...Hope is what I'd like to see spoken of in

> here. While I get alot of information here, I see only despair

among

> most of the posters. Do you have hope?.....Lamisa

[Guest guest]

la_misa@... posted: «Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if

anyone who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace with

what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are living

rather than just existing...»

responded: «I am unable to have a job or go to school because of my

fibro and that took a big piece of my life away.»

I feel the same way; when I was diagnosed, I was going to school full-time

and working btwn 25-35 hours a week at a well-paying job, which I even

liked. I haven't been able to work or attend college for 2½ years, due to

my constant pain and fatigue.

also commented: «But I also find good things in it. I get to sleep in

everyday, I don't have overwhelming responsibilities. I'll never be stuck

miserable in a dead end job that I hate.»

Those things are definitely " silver lining " material, but in my case, they

go hand in hand with having no money for the little extras that make life

more enjoyable. I am waiting for the folks at Disability Determination in

Columbus, OH to deem me worthy or unworthy of SSI consideration. I have

exhausted all my resources, just to keep my head above water once my

disability benefits from my job were exhausted and I was terminated. If it

weren't for my parents and my older sister, I would literally be on the

street.

continued, «I enjoy my life everyday. I can't do the same physical

activities that I used to but I haven't changed as a person. For me the key

to balance was finding the good parts of having chronic pain and focusing on

that instead of the bad parts.»

I wish I could say that I enjoyed my life everyday. I feel that way about

25% of the time. Unlike , I *have* changed as a person. I think I am

much more patient and understanding than I used to be and less critical of

how other's life- and health-situations appear to me.

The key to balance, for me at least, has been making productive use of my

time on the days that I am feeling somewhat well. While I don't get out as

much as I used to, I have made amazing progress in the research for the book

that I have been meaning to write for the past 5 or 6 years. I know that I

wouldn't be able to spend nearly as much time on this if I were working or

in school.

And, on the days that I don't feel so well, I take it easy. I try not to

get upset if I have to cancel plans. I use my " down " days as time to pamper

myself, eat my favorite foods, watch my favorite TV shows, read silly

romance novels, listen to my favorite CDs, and soak in the jacuzzi. I find

that, if I give in and rest when my body needs it, I don't get nearly as

frustrated as if I fight it.

Just my 2¢... YMMV!

" Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility,

mirth and reverance within you, "

-Mareth

_________________________________________________________________

MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos:

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[Guest guest]

la_misa@... posted: «Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if

anyone who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace with

what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are living

rather than just existing...»

responded: «I am unable to have a job or go to school because of my

fibro and that took a big piece of my life away.»

I feel the same way; when I was diagnosed, I was going to school full-time

and working btwn 25-35 hours a week at a well-paying job, which I even

liked. I haven't been able to work or attend college for 2½ years, due to

my constant pain and fatigue.

also commented: «But I also find good things in it. I get to sleep in

everyday, I don't have overwhelming responsibilities. I'll never be stuck

miserable in a dead end job that I hate.»

Those things are definitely " silver lining " material, but in my case, they

go hand in hand with having no money for the little extras that make life

more enjoyable. I am waiting for the folks at Disability Determination in

Columbus, OH to deem me worthy or unworthy of SSI consideration. I have

exhausted all my resources, just to keep my head above water once my

disability benefits from my job were exhausted and I was terminated. If it

weren't for my parents and my older sister, I would literally be on the

street.

continued, «I enjoy my life everyday. I can't do the same physical

activities that I used to but I haven't changed as a person. For me the key

to balance was finding the good parts of having chronic pain and focusing on

that instead of the bad parts.»

I wish I could say that I enjoyed my life everyday. I feel that way about

25% of the time. Unlike , I *have* changed as a person. I think I am

much more patient and understanding than I used to be and less critical of

how other's life- and health-situations appear to me.

The key to balance, for me at least, has been making productive use of my

time on the days that I am feeling somewhat well. While I don't get out as

much as I used to, I have made amazing progress in the research for the book

that I have been meaning to write for the past 5 or 6 years. I know that I

wouldn't be able to spend nearly as much time on this if I were working or

in school.

And, on the days that I don't feel so well, I take it easy. I try not to

get upset if I have to cancel plans. I use my " down " days as time to pamper

myself, eat my favorite foods, watch my favorite TV shows, read silly

romance novels, listen to my favorite CDs, and soak in the jacuzzi. I find

that, if I give in and rest when my body needs it, I don't get nearly as

frustrated as if I fight it.

Just my 2¢... YMMV!

" Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility,

mirth and reverance within you, "

-Mareth

_________________________________________________________________

MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos:

http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx

[Guest guest]

la_misa@... posted: «Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if

anyone who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace with

what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are living

rather than just existing...»

responded: «I am unable to have a job or go to school because of my

fibro and that took a big piece of my life away.»

I feel the same way; when I was diagnosed, I was going to school full-time

and working btwn 25-35 hours a week at a well-paying job, which I even

liked. I haven't been able to work or attend college for 2½ years, due to

my constant pain and fatigue.

also commented: «But I also find good things in it. I get to sleep in

everyday, I don't have overwhelming responsibilities. I'll never be stuck

miserable in a dead end job that I hate.»

Those things are definitely " silver lining " material, but in my case, they

go hand in hand with having no money for the little extras that make life

more enjoyable. I am waiting for the folks at Disability Determination in

Columbus, OH to deem me worthy or unworthy of SSI consideration. I have

exhausted all my resources, just to keep my head above water once my

disability benefits from my job were exhausted and I was terminated. If it

weren't for my parents and my older sister, I would literally be on the

street.

continued, «I enjoy my life everyday. I can't do the same physical

activities that I used to but I haven't changed as a person. For me the key

to balance was finding the good parts of having chronic pain and focusing on

that instead of the bad parts.»

I wish I could say that I enjoyed my life everyday. I feel that way about

25% of the time. Unlike , I *have* changed as a person. I think I am

much more patient and understanding than I used to be and less critical of

how other's life- and health-situations appear to me.

The key to balance, for me at least, has been making productive use of my

time on the days that I am feeling somewhat well. While I don't get out as

much as I used to, I have made amazing progress in the research for the book

that I have been meaning to write for the past 5 or 6 years. I know that I

wouldn't be able to spend nearly as much time on this if I were working or

in school.

And, on the days that I don't feel so well, I take it easy. I try not to

get upset if I have to cancel plans. I use my " down " days as time to pamper

myself, eat my favorite foods, watch my favorite TV shows, read silly

romance novels, listen to my favorite CDs, and soak in the jacuzzi. I find

that, if I give in and rest when my body needs it, I don't get nearly as

frustrated as if I fight it.

Just my 2¢... YMMV!

" Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility,

mirth and reverance within you, "

-Mareth

_________________________________________________________________

MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos:

http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx

[Guest guest]

Hello Lamisa,

Hope is what carried me for the last 4 years of having FMS/CFS. Hope is what

made even my bad days seem bearable. It is hard to find hope at first. To be

told that you have incurable diseases especially diseases that are so painful,

feels as though you will never find hope again. But with each new day, hope is

what will carry you through. With hope you can find humor even in the worst of

times. With hope you find a sense of peace.

Now I am so glad that I found hope and held onto it. For it was that hope that

drove me to continue to find something that would eleviate my symptoms. Now

that hope is fulfilled and I no longer have any symptoms of FMS/CFS. Now my

hope is in others who also have FMS/CFS, that they will not give up, that they

will continue to have hope enough to perservere.

Mick

lamisa1955 la_misa@...> wrote: Hi!.. After reading this forum for

about a month, I wonder if there

is anyone in here, while symptomatic and in daily pain, who feels

that they've found a sense of balance in their lives. I know that FM

has its ups and downs, good days, bad days and days to die from and

that living with Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if anyone

who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace with

what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are

living rather than just existing...

What works great for one person will do nothing for another so I am

not looking for that...Hope is what I'd like to see spoken of in

here. While I get alot of information here, I see only despair among

most of the posters. Do you have hope?.....Lamisa

[Guest guest]

Hello Lamisa,

Hope is what carried me for the last 4 years of having FMS/CFS. Hope is what

made even my bad days seem bearable. It is hard to find hope at first. To be

told that you have incurable diseases especially diseases that are so painful,

feels as though you will never find hope again. But with each new day, hope is

what will carry you through. With hope you can find humor even in the worst of

times. With hope you find a sense of peace.

Now I am so glad that I found hope and held onto it. For it was that hope that

drove me to continue to find something that would eleviate my symptoms. Now

that hope is fulfilled and I no longer have any symptoms of FMS/CFS. Now my

hope is in others who also have FMS/CFS, that they will not give up, that they

will continue to have hope enough to perservere.

Mick

lamisa1955 la_misa@...> wrote: Hi!.. After reading this forum for

about a month, I wonder if there

is anyone in here, while symptomatic and in daily pain, who feels

that they've found a sense of balance in their lives. I know that FM

has its ups and downs, good days, bad days and days to die from and

that living with Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if anyone

who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace with

what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are

living rather than just existing...

What works great for one person will do nothing for another so I am

not looking for that...Hope is what I'd like to see spoken of in

here. While I get alot of information here, I see only despair among

most of the posters. Do you have hope?.....Lamisa

[Guest guest]

Hello Lamisa,

Hope is what carried me for the last 4 years of having FMS/CFS. Hope is what

made even my bad days seem bearable. It is hard to find hope at first. To be

told that you have incurable diseases especially diseases that are so painful,

feels as though you will never find hope again. But with each new day, hope is

what will carry you through. With hope you can find humor even in the worst of

times. With hope you find a sense of peace.

Now I am so glad that I found hope and held onto it. For it was that hope that

drove me to continue to find something that would eleviate my symptoms. Now

that hope is fulfilled and I no longer have any symptoms of FMS/CFS. Now my

hope is in others who also have FMS/CFS, that they will not give up, that they

will continue to have hope enough to perservere.

Mick

lamisa1955 la_misa@...> wrote: Hi!.. After reading this forum for

about a month, I wonder if there

is anyone in here, while symptomatic and in daily pain, who feels

that they've found a sense of balance in their lives. I know that FM

has its ups and downs, good days, bad days and days to die from and

that living with Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if anyone

who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace with

what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are

living rather than just existing...

What works great for one person will do nothing for another so I am

not looking for that...Hope is what I'd like to see spoken of in

here. While I get alot of information here, I see only despair among

most of the posters. Do you have hope?.....Lamisa

[Guest guest]

--- If I hadn't adjusted to it, I wouldn't be here.

In @y..., " lamisa1955 " wrote:

> Hi!.. After reading this forum for about a month, I wonder if there

> is anyone in here, while symptomatic and in daily pain, who feels

> that they've found a sense of balance in their lives. I know that

FM

> has its ups and downs, good days, bad days and days to die from and

> that living with Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if

anyone

> who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace

with

> what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are

> living rather than just existing...

>

> What works great for one person will do nothing for another so I am

> not looking for that...Hope is what I'd like to see spoken of in

> here. While I get alot of information here, I see only despair

among

> most of the posters. Do you have hope?.....Lamisa

[Guest guest]

--- If I hadn't adjusted to it, I wouldn't be here.

In @y..., " lamisa1955 " wrote:

> Hi!.. After reading this forum for about a month, I wonder if there

> is anyone in here, while symptomatic and in daily pain, who feels

> that they've found a sense of balance in their lives. I know that

FM

> has its ups and downs, good days, bad days and days to die from and

> that living with Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if

anyone

> who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace

with

> what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are

> living rather than just existing...

>

> What works great for one person will do nothing for another so I am

> not looking for that...Hope is what I'd like to see spoken of in

> here. While I get alot of information here, I see only despair

among

> most of the posters. Do you have hope?.....Lamisa

[Guest guest]

--- If I hadn't adjusted to it, I wouldn't be here.

In @y..., " lamisa1955 " wrote:

> Hi!.. After reading this forum for about a month, I wonder if there

> is anyone in here, while symptomatic and in daily pain, who feels

> that they've found a sense of balance in their lives. I know that

FM

> has its ups and downs, good days, bad days and days to die from and

> that living with Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if

anyone

> who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace

with

> what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are

> living rather than just existing...

>

> What works great for one person will do nothing for another so I am

> not looking for that...Hope is what I'd like to see spoken of in

> here. While I get alot of information here, I see only despair

among

> most of the posters. Do you have hope?.....Lamisa

[Guest guest]

You must be talkin to me! Yes, I have balance...Well, that was a very poor

way for you to put it...Since the brain surgery, the equalibrium is bad, so I

walk into stuff all of the time.

I have ups and downs, but ignore alot, and function as normal as possible. I

deal the hand that I got. I think everyone does!

You will see alot of gripes in here. There are alot of folks who cannot

gripe at home, so they come here to vent, and we support and listen to them.

As far as normalcy...I have an autistic 4 year old that does not allot me

much time to remember how terrible I feel. I cannot sit for more than 15

minutes at a shot, so I am constantly on the go, since I HATE to lay down!

The pain meds, and my other meds have calmed things down enough to get by. I

sincerely believe that people with a condition like fibro have a very large

threshold for pain, as I know alot of people who would not function at all

with the pain that the people on this list have!

One day, I am planning on waking up without my pain, and resuming life as I

once knew it. Every night I cross my fingers that it will be tomorrow. But,

if it is not tomorrow, I will get through tomorrow with a smile!

Missy

[Guest guest]

> Hi!.. After reading this forum for about a month, I wonder if there

> is anyone in here, while symptomatic and in daily pain, who feels

> that they've found a sense of balance in their lives.

Hi back at ya! Have I found a balance? Well to tell the truth

being dx with fibro is the best thing that has happened to me in

years! Maybe even my whole life!

Why is that you ask?, because now I know I'm not crazy and I don't

have to find a way to kill myself. I still have pain and get tired

real easy, but it's not just me. I have an actual physical problem,

not mental problems.

I even have a job now. I've had it for 1 year and it is hard on me

sometimes but I know to rest and pamper myself every once in awhile.

I really believe that having fibro has made me stronger and

willing to try harder, maybe it has made me a better person.

Bye for now, .

[Guest guest]

Missy,

Good for you! How wonderfully put! After living with FMS/CFS for a few years a

person has very little choice but to dig deep within themselves and find peace,

hope, and joy. It is very hard at times but it can be done. I hope and pray,

Missy, that today you will live without pain:) That this will be Missy's day:)

Peace and blessings to you always and forever,

Mick

parrot004@... wrote: You must be talkin to me! Yes, I have

balance...Well, that was a very poor

way for you to put it...Since the brain surgery, the equalibrium is bad, so I

walk into stuff all of the time.

I have ups and downs, but ignore alot, and function as normal as possible. I

deal the hand that I got. I think everyone does!

You will see alot of gripes in here. There are alot of folks who cannot

gripe at home, so they come here to vent, and we support and listen to them.

As far as normalcy...I have an autistic 4 year old that does not allot me

much time to remember how terrible I feel. I cannot sit for more than 15

minutes at a shot, so I am constantly on the go, since I HATE to lay down!

The pain meds, and my other meds have calmed things down enough to get by. I

sincerely believe that people with a condition like fibro have a very large

threshold for pain, as I know alot of people who would not function at all

with the pain that the people on this list have!

One day, I am planning on waking up without my pain, and resuming life as I

once knew it. Every night I cross my fingers that it will be tomorrow. But,

if it is not tomorrow, I will get through tomorrow with a smile!

Missy

[Guest guest]

I wish I could say that I have. I feel totally out of balance and totally out

of whack. Part of that is my own doing. I need to be taking care of myself.

Right now I am in pain nearly all day, every day. I am so sick of it, I could

scream.

Do I have hope? I'd have to say yes. Otherwise, I'd never get out of bed every

day. I make myself realize that yes, fibromyalgia sucks, but it could be so

much worse. At least fibromyalgia isn't fatal.

Functioning with FMS & Crhonic Pain??

Hi!.. After reading this forum for about a month, I wonder if there

is anyone in here, while symptomatic and in daily pain, who feels

that they've found a sense of balance in their lives. I know that FM

has its ups and downs, good days, bad days and days to die from and

that living with Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if anyone

who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace with

what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are

living rather than just existing...

What works great for one person will do nothing for another so I am

not looking for that...Hope is what I'd like to see spoken of in

here. While I get alot of information here, I see only despair among

most of the posters. Do you have hope?.....Lamisa

[Guest guest]

> I know that FM

> has its ups and downs, good days, bad days and days to die from and

> that living with Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if anyone

> who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace with

> what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are

> living rather than just existing...

Most days I feel pretty peaceful with my life. No, it's not exactly

what I want to be doing, but I am still getting to do some things. On

my really bad days, I do feel really miserable and regretful, but I'm

working on those. I think there is always hope that tomorrow will get

better. For example, I suffer from extreme fatigue, better on some days

than on others. I happened to be placed on some blood pressure medicine

a few months ago that has given me a tiny bit more energy. Now, I'm not

anywhere close to " normal " , but I am better than I was!! Maybe I'll get

put on other medicine that helps more, or find a new vitamin, maybe

they'll find a cure, new medicine or even validation from all doctors!

I don't try to think of things in terms of " in ten years from now, I'll

be just as bad as I am now " . That's too negative for me. I try to look

at what I need to do to make it through this week or this event I want

to go to.

Darcy

[Guest guest]

> I know that FM

> has its ups and downs, good days, bad days and days to die from and

> that living with Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if anyone

> who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace with

> what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are

> living rather than just existing...

Most days I feel pretty peaceful with my life. No, it's not exactly

what I want to be doing, but I am still getting to do some things. On

my really bad days, I do feel really miserable and regretful, but I'm

working on those. I think there is always hope that tomorrow will get

better. For example, I suffer from extreme fatigue, better on some days

than on others. I happened to be placed on some blood pressure medicine

a few months ago that has given me a tiny bit more energy. Now, I'm not

anywhere close to " normal " , but I am better than I was!! Maybe I'll get

put on other medicine that helps more, or find a new vitamin, maybe

they'll find a cure, new medicine or even validation from all doctors!

I don't try to think of things in terms of " in ten years from now, I'll

be just as bad as I am now " . That's too negative for me. I try to look

at what I need to do to make it through this week or this event I want

to go to.

Darcy

[Guest guest]

> I know that FM

> has its ups and downs, good days, bad days and days to die from and

> that living with Chronic Pain is a real pain but I wondered if anyone

> who posts in here feels that they've acheived some kind of peace with

> what is going on in their body/mind and who feels that they are

> living rather than just existing...

Most days I feel pretty peaceful with my life. No, it's not exactly

what I want to be doing, but I am still getting to do some things. On

my really bad days, I do feel really miserable and regretful, but I'm

working on those. I think there is always hope that tomorrow will get

better. For example, I suffer from extreme fatigue, better on some days

than on others. I happened to be placed on some blood pressure medicine

a few months ago that has given me a tiny bit more energy. Now, I'm not

anywhere close to " normal " , but I am better than I was!! Maybe I'll get

put on other medicine that helps more, or find a new vitamin, maybe

they'll find a cure, new medicine or even validation from all doctors!

I don't try to think of things in terms of " in ten years from now, I'll

be just as bad as I am now " . That's too negative for me. I try to look

at what I need to do to make it through this week or this event I want

to go to.

Darcy