[theoriginalsnake]

I've injured my back, occasionally get migraines and have TMJ issues. Doctors haven't been able to find a solution for me and it's been about a year and a half. My pain meds have stopped working recently. I have lost so much. I've had to drop out of school to do it online, can't travel, stop certain hobbies that I enjoyed, and annoy all my friends by having to cancel/change plans all the time due to not feeling well enough.

[Skeezyks]

I wish I knew what to tell you about this. Over the years I've had some really serious low back issues, although these have gotten better with time. (Actually the best remedy I found for my own back issues was simply walking. Sometimes it hurt so much I wondered if I'd make it back home.)

Many years ago, when I was growing up, my father used to say: "You're not required to like it. You're just required to do it." That's kind-of the way I was brought up. And that's pretty-much the way I've conducted my life... for better or worse... Perhaps it was a good idea or perhaps not. But no matter how much it hurt... either physically or emotionally... I just tried to keep pushing through as best I could. And that's not to say I was always successful either. There were certainly times when I just flat-out gave up. But, in sum, I think I probably pushed through more than I just gave up. Looking back, I do sometimes wonder if that was the best way to proceed. But it's what I did.

Here are links to some articles, from PsychCentral's archives, on the subject of chronic pain:

https://psychcentral.com/blog/the-to...sts_position=1

https://psychcentral.com/lib/using-m...-chronic-pain/

https://psychcentral.com/lib/living-...nd-depression/

https://psychcentral.com/lib/coping-with-chronic-pain/

https://psychcentral.com/lib/can-rel...-chronic-pain/

https://blogs.psychcentral.com/unsha...ith-headaches/

I wish you well...

[Gus1234U]

how strange life is,, i learned early in life to avoid pain, to go numb if necessary. when i began having back pain was about 10 years ago, and i was down to using one of those wheeled chair things to walk, and sit down every 100 ft or so.... turns out there were multiple reasons for my back pain, and some of them could be addressed medically (hypoxia). but some were just plain ol' damage, and i had to learn to live with that... i began to avoid doing things that i knew would end me up in pain.... i got really good at it~! now i have practically no life, no stamina, no strength. if i could choose to redo things, i would like to think i could make a different decision, but actually, i'm not sure i could~ there were just too many other influences in my life and personality.

so, all i can say is: accept yourself for who you are; do what you can and praise yourself for that; be your own best friend....

[introspectiveme]

Originally Posted by theoriginalsnake

I've injured my back, occasionally get migraines and have TMJ issues. Doctors haven't been able to find a solution for me and it's been about a year and a half. My pain meds have stopped working recently. I have lost so much. I've had to drop out of school to do it online, can't travel, stop certain hobbies that I enjoyed, and annoy all my friends by having to cancel/change plans all the time due to not feeling well enough.

Literally going through the same thing now

Came back from a doc that I should just ignore it but how?

I've had it for twelve years now and it gets worse

Anyway hope it gets better for you

[Deejay14]

I had excruciating back pain for more than 5 years. It just exhausted me beside the pain. I tried every pain med, every treatment including acupuncture. I finally had to quit my job because it was so debilitating. I found what really helped was using a rollator. I have a very small home and could barely walk to the bathroom 10 feet away. I found using the rollator took the inflammation process down.

The down side was I was getting weaker and needed the walker to help me do small chores, so 6 months ago embarked on my own strengthening program which I do at home. My pain started to get better and better slowly. I am now off the narcotics totally which wasn't the worst because they were not much help and use ES Tylenol. I can't recommend highly enough getting an exercise ball. During the worst time that was my best source of pain relief. I would put it on the bed,then roll it a short ways foward while resting my arms on it. I am now just starting to sometimes not use the rollator when out with my spouse. I can now do stairs with the help of a railing. I no longer use the rollator in the house or to get to my car. I have been able to go a few days in between without Tylenol.

Please pm me if you feel I can be of any other help.

Walking and stretching. Five days a week. I take breaks when I feel tired and I need a break and then I get back into the routine.

I don't know how I find the energy to keep going on the dark days where I don't get relief from anything

I suppose it comes down to this, at least for me.

let it take over your life, or try and keep going best you can

I know for me if I chose the latter and let myself become my illnesses, I'd feel so bad and so guilty

[Candy1955]

I know what you mean. I do my best not to ever just 'be' the pain. It is probably 5 times worse when I do that. I just keep going. Sometimes I make it, sometimes not.

[Chrain]

From a previous discussion:

It is important to not look at all of things that you can't do that you could do before. A better approach is taking one thing that you want to do a finding a way to do it. Don't start with something difficult, but pick something you haven't been able to do for a while. If you don't succeed first keep trying learning from the first time. Be mindful of your pain. Don't let it get so bad that you can't move the next day or couple days, but don't let it stop you from achieving your goal. When you accomplish your goal you should feel great. Don't reflect on all the other things you can't do ( you will get to them eventually). Enjoy the moment. Then you can move onto the next task or work to continue to refine the process for the task you achieved. Every time you accomplish something always take the time to look at the different tasks that you can do now and see the positive. It will help to give you the drive to continue to improve.

[LCoolie]

6/14/18 16:42:25

Life is a gift. During the Blitz in London, Winston Churchill told his audience, "Never, never Quit!" He helped the British endure and have courage in spite of terrible odds against their survival.
Every morning, I pivot out of bed, grab the knobs on my dresser and pull myself to my feet. I say quietly, "Well, another day. I am going to give it my best." And I do. In spite of ten major surgeries, two strokes, two heart attacks, cataracts and chronic pain, I do NOT EVER quit.
Keep your courage. Protect your self-esteem. Challenge yourself every day. Accept your disabilities with grace. And love who you are becoming as you evolve.

Best regards,
JKS