How can chronic pain be explained to people who don't suffer from it?

Question

I know that one answer is that people who don't have chronic pain can never fully understand, but I'd still like to know if there is some way to explain it to others, some way to make people understand why those of us in chronic pain can't be expected to function "normally." Anybody have any suggestions, or is there a web site with tips on how to explain to significant others, loved ones, family members, chronic pain and its effects, and how to deal with people in chronic pain ?

Answer 1

Here is a site that may help.
http://www.myida.org/theylook.htm
Read the "you look so good" part. It is not by any means going to change the pre-conceived ideas that people have, but maybe you can get through to someone. It's not easy I l know! You might look for a support group as well on line or local, for the condition you live with that causes the pain. Still looking for the best answer to your question myself!
Best wishes

Answer 2

First I'd like to point out people who have a chronic pain function perfectly normal like everyone esle unless its a really serious problem. A chronic pain can be different types of small to extremely horrible pains which a person will suffer and have usually for long term. The pain/sore/ache would usually come and go and there are many reasons of how the pain could have been caused. By an accident, a lack of certian mineral/vitamin/ a bone problem and so many other reasons for how chronic pain is caused.
I'm 13 and I suffer from a chronic neck problem, the pain is constant and I've felt it for every day, every second for the past 2 years in life. For me, this aching and painful feeling is usually mild most of the time but when I dont get enough sleep or etc...the pain can be excruciating. This chronic pain I have is a result of an accident severval years ago and right now nothing can help except physiotherapy and time. Having a chronic pain is just something that cant be helped, and you know what? There is no way that I don't function normally. I can do anything anyone esle can do except certian excercises and what not... aren't too good for my problem. I hope this info and example can answer your question-!

Answer 3

How To Explain Chronic Pain

Answer 4

People just don't understand. I have 4 discs in my back that have deteriorated over the years and I can tell you it's no picnic. If most people were hit at once with the pain I am in every second of every day, they wouldn't be able to function.

People do not understand what constant pain is until they live with it.

I spend at least 1 month out of every year not being able to walk. It really sucks knowing that I can't rely on my own body. Good health is taken for granted by those lucky enough to enjoy it.

Answer 5

I could of written this posting as I have RSD also, I am at stage 3, so I really understand how you feel. I've had it since 1997 and it's not getting better. You look normal on the outside, but on the inside you are suffering so badly that you cannot explain to anyone so I don't even bother to try anymore. I've isolated myself.,but when things get really bad I do force myself to go outside.I am a positive person which I think helps allot but it is really hard most days to put on a happy face.Your remark about a billion shots of morpine made me cry, I know it wouldn't help. Most people know nothing about the pain of RSD or the actual disorder itself so they cannot help you, It's a daily struggle just to survive. I think you are the very first person that I can say this to and that's I understand 100% what you are going through going through and it really really sucks, hang in there,Donna This is for anyone who writes about applying ice, it'sa definite no with RSD, as ice stimulates your sympathetic nervous system so itis a definite no.

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Answer 6

Excellant question!! And you have received alot of great answers as well.

My biggest thing about getting people to realize that how we suffer, is that they don't realize that we have learned to adapt to our pain, and have to still go on from day to day and take care of things. Like chores, our homes,lawns,children etc.

Example: I was at a family gathering at our lake house, and as everyone was settling down for the evening, I overheard my Aunt and a couple of cousins discussing how I don't act like I hurt and that I just make up my pain for excuses not to have to go somewhere, or do something, or to obtain meds.
I guess that they had drawn this conclusion from the fact that I forced my pain to allow me to help contribute to the cooking and clean up all day, like everyone else would have done.
But heres the thing: If I wouldn't have helped, I would have been using my pain not too???????

I have sat family down and told them that even though I'm not walking about with a "Woe is Me" kind of attitude, I really do hurt and it is all of the time. Because I don't mention it every minute doesn't mean that it is not there. I actually had my children attend a Pain Management appointment with me so that they would understand what was going on a little better. Especially since some of the medication requires me to nap, or sometimes when my meds are changed I seem "Out of It" for a couple of days. It was also important for me to let them be aware of the fact that I push myself to attend every single event that they are involved in, but sometimes it just can't happen, and now they do understand. They are really my heros now, because they explain to others for me whats up!! lol. (My Heros!!)

Again, this is an excellent question and I'm sure the answers helped all of us interested alot. I know it did me!! Thank You!

Answer 7

You should check this sciatica natural treatment http://cure-sciatica.info
Normally, I would not answer a question like this as my expertise is generally in medication but I had severe sciatica while I was pregnant with my 3rd child (after having had twins) and I had sciatica so bad that I was finding it difficult to walk. I tried massage therapy and physical therapy and could not take medication
I went to the chiropractor and the pain was instantly relieved. My hips and lower back were out of alignment because I had carried twins the year before. On occasion a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) can also work but they usually only work on one joint at a time - the chiropractor will do your whole back which works faster. Anyone who does not believe in chiropractors will tell you they are quacks - don't listen.
I don't necessarily believe that chiropractors can cure things like diabetes but they can definitely relieve some types of back pain especially if a pinched nerve is involved which is usually the cause of sciatica. Try a reputable chiropractor ASAP!

Answer 8

My wife suffers from Fibromyalgia. She was in an abusive relationship for 19 years and was always tense.

I describe her chronic pain to others by asking them to imagine how they feel after getting their muscles really tense for a long time. The pain in your lower back and up and down your spine. Everyone has experienced this. Then I tell them that is the pain that my wife feels all the time.

Take care,
Troy

Answer 9

It is a fact that no one condition reflects sciatica and it would be prudent to refer to it as a generic medical term encompassing lots of symptoms that taken together describe a lower back pain that a patient suffers from. When someone complains of severe back pain that passes down to legs through his buttocks, even down to his feet and toes, doctors suspect him to be suffering from sciatica. Often sciatica presents itself as numbness or a tingling sensation that may not be anything like the severe pain commonly associated with sciatica. This tingling or numbness may be felt by the person when he engages in some activities.


On this site you can find very good tips on how to treat your sciatica: http://curesciatica.toptips.org
Regards

Answer 10

I know its not exactly the same, but tell them that it is like nails on a chalkboard. While you hear this noise, you have to still listen to other things that are going on in the world around you and function "normally". Its pretty hard, painful, and annoying, right?