An Open Letter To Those That Treat Chronic Pain Sufferers ...

Dear Practitioner(s):

I know that y'all are the "professionals", however, the very next one of you that tells me to be more active or to get more exercise is likely to get the ever living @#$%! slapped right out of you!

If you only knew how discompassionate this advice is and how utterly stupid you sound when you say it to me ... Maybe I need to tell you exactly that the next time you offer this advice.

Do you actually think that I enjoy not being able to do the things I love and used to be able to do (nature walks, vigorous hikes, fishing, etc.), or just how badly I grieve the loss of them because it simply hurts too much to engage in them anymore?

I've learned to manage my usual pain levels (3-5 on a daily basis), but even just 20-30 minutes of light to moderate activity sends my pain levels spiking anywhere from a 7-9 to right off your effing "what's your number" pain chart, not to mention totally knocking me out for a day or two afterwards!

So eff your "be more active and get more exercise" advice, thank you very much!

It saddens me to know that even those we pay to "help" us cannot even begin to fathom what it is like to live with chronic pain as they, themselves, do not suffer with it.

With all that being said, nobody's going to get slapped, nor do I wish this kind of pain on anyone so they could understand what it's like to live with it.

I just needed to ventilate is all ... Thanks for listening!