How has living with chronic pain changed your life, limited your choices, altered your lifestyle, etc.?

Answer 1

I was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis when I was 7.. From then on I have developed fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, shoulder impingement, bursitis, restless legs, epilepsy and plantar faciitis..
It has made me into a more enlightened person and made me understand the problems that people with chronic pain face...
I cannot run, nor walk very long distances, I cannot drive, I walk with a cane...
I have to not go to certain social functions because I cannot get up stairs..
I cannot visit my father because he has a steep driveway and I cannot get up it..
It has always been there, but in the past 10 years things have gotten worse (I am 33) and since I was diagnosed initially so early I have been like this many years...
I am happy for the life I have, I mean there are so many people worse off than me so I dont let it get me down...

Answer 2

i live with chronic knee pain and need a knee replacement. I was told I was too young and put in pain management. That lead to addiction and a stay in detox. I am finally going to get my knee replacement in January and hope that it solves the problem. I have watched life pass me by for the past 5 years either do to the limits of the knee or being high on the drugs. Thank God I have an understanding husband because living with the pain and the addiction could not have been easy. I am off the strong pills now and only take ultram but the pain is much worse. Hopefully I will not have the addiction problem after the replacement. The Doctor already told me I would have to take stronger meds then to ultram to get through the first 2 months.

Answer 3

For the last 5 years I've lived with chronic knee pain, and this year, I'm adding back pain to the list too (and I'm 24).

At first I noticed a lot how it limited my life. I can't really run at all, it occasionally hurts to walk, I can't wear certain shoes (or I pay for it the next day), I can't dance, and now it seems I can't sit for extended periods of time without paying for it.

At the same time, the pain has been almost a sacred experience for me. I know that sounds really strange, but you know it really alters your perspective on life, and what's important, and taught me to be more grateful and less prideful.

I've learned some simple meditation techniques that really help relieve the emotional side of the pain experience, and that's been interesting learning about that deeper connection between my mind and body.

I suppose if I had the choice I would still rather not have this pain at all, but I can't help but think I'm a little bit of a better person because of it.

Answer 4

I also suffer from chronic pain. I have had it for 5 years. It has become very hard to enjoy the life that I once knew. Once upon a time I was avid athlete and enjoyed being outdoors. Now, I struggle to get out of bed sometmes, I have trouble sleeping and my relationship with my finace has suffered as a result of being in pain. I also do not feel like being around people as much as I used to and likewise no one wants to hang out with someone who isn't any fun. I stopped being fun a long time ago. My ailments stem from Herniated Cervical & Lumbar discs, Stenosis, Inflammatory Arthritis, Peripheral Neuropathy, and Chronic Lyme Disease. I have tried just about every medication and therapy under the sun except for surgery.

I have found Narcotics to be the only medications that work but my search for something better is far from over.