[ShaggyChic_1201]

This is very conflicted subject for me and I am soliciting input while trying to keep it short. In 1998, I had an accident and hurt my shoulder and eventually developed a pain condition known as CRPS. With CRPS, the brain/nervous system THINK there is terrible harm being caused to the body part and it reacts with extreme pain signals to get you to stop doing whatever is supposedly causing the pain. The problem is there’s really no reason for those pain signals to be generated. I suffered increasingly worse pain for 8 years until it was unbearable. Then a miracle occurred and the pain went away for 4 years.

Now the shoulder joint is unstable and the CRPS has come back. I keep telling my T and P-doc that it’s purely psychological, hysteria or conversion disorder. T gently countered with, “you’re in the best place of your life right now.”

I want to do all the things I’ve been able to do for the last 4 years. I think it’s better to push thru the pain and not let it get to me. I don’t want to rest after taking a shower. I want to go to work, and work a full day without taking pills and using ice packs and crying. But T and P-doc are telling me no – I need to adapt my life to my new circumstances. They are insisting I push to get in and see doctors (I’ve been turned away by 7 ortho-docs who think surgery or PT is too risky). I’m afraid if I give in and become a pain patient (again), I’ll get depressed. On the other hand, if the pain gets as bad as it was, I would probably resort to drastic options.

I do have appointment with pain clinic later this week. I just don't have very high hopes.

[tametc]

I hope you get support and help from the pain clinic. Is it possible that this is "real" pain due to the joint instability? Sometimes, no matter how determined and strong we are mentally/spiritually/emotionally, our physical bodies aren't able to withstand the pain. Please be gentle with yourself. Let us know how the clinic appt goes, if you feel up to it. Gentle hugs to you.

[StressedMess]

Your condition sounds horrible, I'm so sorry. After 4 years of relief, I tend to agree with your T that this has to be more than psychosomatic or hysterical pain. I have tendonitis right now, first time I've ever had pain this bad outside of childbirth. Due to your unstable joint it could be bursitis or any number of real physical issues with a cause and a cure. Good luck!!

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

I feel for you, pain is horrible and really stressful. Physical conditions make us feel quite powerless - our body is not under our conscious control, and we have to respond to what it is telling us at times