What do you do when you have lost all hope

Yeah I know this is the community forum. I would ask this on a different forum, but I feel like I wouldn't get honest answers, or something that I was looking for. I believe the people here are legit. Another big thing is I feel like it's much more "worth it" to explain things to people I can relate to and I know aren't going to just forget about it after I tell them. I need someone that will listen and take it at face value but understand that the problem is real.

Anyways, here is the deal... Each morning I wake up in pain, and each night go to bed in pain. I feel like crap every day and it never goes away - it just subsides a little bit sometimes during the day as my mind gets dragged to other activities. I know what you're thinking, "see a doctor". Well, that has been done many many times and I have so many areas that are screwed up I don't know even what doctor to go see now. As you can imagine this truly sucks, beyond belief. I'd say I would bet anything the pharmaceutical meds I was taking and still am have #$%^ed me over. It's almost like time is spinning me out of control. No, I'm not on drugs (illegal ones anyways). One of the problems I come across though when trying to address the issue of thinking that a pharma med messed/is messing me up is that prior to being on meds I was hospitalized from smoking laced marijuana. So basically, I don't believe people are going to buy the fact that the pharma's messed me up 'cause they will think I got messed up from the laced marijuana (which could be possible). This makes it hard to try and argue for anything or understand what's going on. Anyways, I seriously need to get my **** sorted out. It will be 7 years that I have been dealing with pains in Feb of 2016. I understand that everyone has their own RL problems, struggles, issues to deal with. I feel like I need to get some advice from the active AC community on this one as it is one of the few things that still keeps me going each day. But so yeah, like do I see a therapist, try something like a naturopathic doctor, etc. That's what I want to know.

Hey hang in there man. I would definately look into seeing a therapist.

My own clinical psychologist helped me immensely in understanding and coping with my chronic, debilitating pain... to the extent that it has lessened quite a bit... He is expert in pain and stress management though, not just a counseling therapist.

My MD is also into alternative medicines and she helped me find herbs that I wasn't allergic to that ease the anxiety (and pain) and reduce the inflammation (and pain)...

and with all the years of my own trying to figure myself out physically too, I found a diet that removed foods that were adding to my dis-ease and pain.

I was injured in 1986... if it weren't for my T I would not be here today.... there were many days that I didn't want to be "here"... he also helped me create a mantra or two to get me through those days... "not now" is one of them. As I tell others, from what I know to be true, no one really wants to make a big permanent decision when they aren't feeling and thinking their best. Depression (which accompanies most high pain) makes us think really darkly... agree with yourself not to make any decision until you are feeling good.

It's okay to start over...each day if need be.

It's okay to totally rearrange your life, and best if you can rather than the pain arranging it.
Be gentle with yourself. It's tough I know... all my "friends" and family left because they couldn't live with my pain. Hmmm I still had to. :P So I try not to let it bother me when I plan to do something and then can't because of a pain flare. (Friends leave because of this... uncertainty and disappointment?)

It is what it is. I can't use most meds... but I have a whole typed page of "alternative" things that work... which I read because when I'm in a flare I can't think of them They include ice, ice packs, heat, infra red heat lamp, braces, stretching.....etc etc etc

You can feel better.... but it's probably up to you to get 'r done.

Thanks Hayla and (JD).

I certainly will pursue a T. I actually had it in mind for the past few weeks to find one again (I recently relocated). Also, the infared heat lamp idea is so cool I think. My tortoise has one and I used to love when he lived in a aquarium and I'd turn it on for him at night

I wish I had some great suggestions. You're not alone, that's for sure.

Has your doctor referred you to a pain specialist, specifically an anesthesiologist who practices in the field of chronic pain management? Those guys can help alot

What kind of pains? The first thing I would try to do is try to understand what is the true underlying problem. You might find this helpful:

6 Strategies to Eliminate Depression - Dr. Mark Hyman

- vital