Do you suffer from pain?
As you are sitting/standing/lying right now, can you feel any pain anywhere in your body?
I can honestly say I cannot remember the last time I was pain free.
Most days I feel only mild pain.
That's not too bad.
I discovered during childbirth that I have a fairly high tolerance to pain.
I delivered two children without any drugs, whatsoever!
So a bit of pain doesn't bother me too much.
But sharp, constant, lasting pain bothers the heck out of me.
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis.
I've blogged about that before, you can read about it here.
Most days it's not bad at all.
Some days I even forget I have it.
It was diagnosed after my first child was born.
Brought on by pregnancy apparently.
Just another joy pregnancy can bring.
I have a wonderful rheumatologist, some call him the arthritis guru.
I'm seeing him Monday.
My arthritis is being controlled by medication.
But sometimes I have attacks, or flare ups.
And right now, it has been attacking my left hip for about a week.
I am so over it.
The pain is bad enough, but pain is also incredibly draining.
I am so tired.
I am tired of it (it being RA).
I dread having to get up after sitting for any length of time.
It takes at least ten steps until I can straighten up and walk right.
And.....
Well, this post wasn't intended to be a whinge, but it seems I've turned it into one.
What I really wanted to know was...
Who is pain free right now?
If you are, appreciate it.
I'd love to know that some people don't suffer every day.
That would make me happy.
And
Who can feel pain somewhere, anywhere, right now?
If you do, that doesn't make me happy.
But maybe we can get some small amount of comfort from each other to know that we are not alone.
Oh love I wish I did have a magic wand to wave your pain away. I hope your Magic Doctor can help you on Monday. Chronic pain is not nice to live with. Whinge away all you like. It is your blog and you can whinge if you want to. xxxx
ReplyDeleteI am pain free. I have a few niggly worries mentally from time to time, but my body is as fit & strong & healthy as it has ever been. Thank you for reminding me to appreciate that!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck Monday- chronic pain is so tiring (I see patients with it. They always look exhsuted :( )
Oh my God, Thea. I have just read this via Michelle's link on Facebook and I'm tears. Mainly because I'm so sad you have been afflicted with this horrible disease but also reading your words was like looking into a mirror - this is me. This is how I feel. This is what I live. I can't remember the last time I was pain free. I dread sitting down because I know I will only have to stand up again. I am so tired. I've had surgery on my wrist and my foot and my hip needs replacing (and I live in a high-set house, go figure...). I have weekly physio or remedial massage sessions to 'keep me moving'.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you have a good Specialist. They are a life line. Are you able to share his name? I used to see an amazing doctor in Cairns until he retired so I am at the mercy of the hospital in Townsville now. I am willing to travel!!!
Take care, Thea. as much as I don't want anyone in this world to endure this, it's nice to know there's someone out there who "gets it".
Here's hoping tomorrow is a good day for you.
Kath
Oh honey, I feel your pain, quite literally. I'm on day 3 of an intense migraine. I'm on narcotics right not to try to quell it. I've had chronic migraines for 3 years now. Going through a divorce seems to have intensified them (stress).
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you have RA. I actually am a little fearful of developing that. It runs on my mother's side of the family. My grandmother and aunt had terrible arthritis. I completely understand the feeling of gratitude for being pain free. The days I wake up and feel good I am grateful. They are a gift. I used to feel that way every day and take it for granted. Hoping you can find some relief. xx
All three of my daughters suffer from arthritis to some degree and one even has Lupus.
ReplyDeleteAnd before they were diagnosed I thought arthritis was for old people, not teenagers!
I'm sorry you're in pain. I, too have not been out of pain in more than a decade. I have arthritis and fibromyalgia, among other things.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think I've accepted it and am 'ok' with it. Other times, like this morning, I just want to rant at the world and say it's not fair.
It's not fair. For you, for me, for anyone.
I feel your pain. Literally. I also have arthritis - ankylosing spondylitis in my case - and fibromyalgia. It is so damn tiring living in constant pain and people who don't experience it don't realise what it's like. To hurt/ache constantly, to live on painkillers which still don't really touch the pain. And for me it's worse when I'm lying down, so I can't remember the last time I had a proper night's sleep. To not be able to do certain things because of pain/stiffness. See, now my comment is turning into a whinge! I just wanted to say it's ok to vent, and I really help your magic doctor can help you tomorrow xo
ReplyDeleteLiving with pain is something no one can really understand unless they live with it. It can be very isolating sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome - ironically, these are the reason I am so active and keep so busy - I know that if I sit still without an active brain, I will fall asleep and I will wake up in pain.
This also causes 2 -3 migraines every week which I've just learned to live with.
Yesterday, I met a 12yo girl with a brain tumor. She suffers severe and almost constant pain. Her mother is like a tower of strength but it made me so sad in my heart to know how much her mother must hurt to see her daughter like this every day. It made my pain so insignicant.
Thea, I wish that your pain could be taken away. I am lucky to not to have experienced chronic pain, but my mother lived through her whole life in some sort of pain.
ReplyDeleteYour post has highlighted to me what it must have been like for her.
I too have pain every day - from about the age of 35 when I was diagnosed with osteo-arthritis. RA is worse though, and so I am so sorry that you have had to deal with this. Now at 55 my hands are badly affected and with this winter being so cold, my hands are not happy at all. My philosophy is to try and remember that there are always people worse than me ... I try and see the glass as half full ... but some days it feels bloody empty. Wishing you some relief and sending you lots of positive thoughts. xxx
ReplyDeleteThea, sending you the biggest hugs. You know I have RA too. I was diagnosed at 21, and for me the only time I was pain free was when I was pregnant and breast feeding.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, somedays I almost forget I am in pain... it's there, just not too bad. Other days I just want to stay in bed and not move at all.
To top it off I have tendinosis (sp?) in my right shoulder and it is intense pain. All. The. Time.
I have changed diet, as you know, and run a few times a week, which is helping. Use it or lose it is my motto.
But I know there are people worse off than me... so I try to stay positive. Most days it works... some days it doesn't.
So I'm thinking of you xxx
Any sign of a cure coming? Always different beat ups on ACA and the like, but obv are all bullshit.
ReplyDeleteI had a headache last night which I can honestly say was the worst one I've ever had. My god. If people have to endure these constantly I'm not surprised people go postal.
Hugs to you xx
I think some degree of pain is a bit of a status quo for me too, but not like the ongoing pain of RA, I feel for you. Right now I have sciatic pain and a dull headache. My head is much better these days, a few short years ago I would count it as a good week if I had more headache/migraine free days than painful ones. I woul dhave a 3 day migraine with maybe two days off and then start the cycle again. Looking back, I'm not sure how I functioned. I hope your pain improves for you...
ReplyDeletewhen you said this in your post "I can honestly say I cannot remember the last time I was pain free." I thought - neither can I. Pain sucks. I have had pain in my lower back and shoulder for what seems like forever.
ReplyDeleteI was pain free before I became a mother. It's a heavy price that a lot of us pay for motherhood.
I hope you have more days with mild pain then severe and better still - pain free days again. xo
Thea thank you for this post. It is a timely reminder to me to be intensely grateful that I am pain free right now. Thank you. I hope you feel better soon and I am glad that at least you have pain management xxx
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