Chronic Pain, Quick list
This list is a compilation of things I learned talking to many professionals in the pain mgt. Field.
It is not technical, but real. I would hope that my accomplishment proves this works, but we must put it to practice. We must make the choice to do it now! -dennis
(Ex: Pain is in your legs)
Denial – like; “I'm OK, this will go away..., This can't be happening..., That doctor doesn't know what he's talking about..., I'm not mad... ”
Anger – at the disease or injury, at the pain, at people, at yourself, at God. Learn to spot when anger is rising up, count to 10, put it aside for now.
Bargaining / confusion - “If I just do this, then maybe..., I need to make a decision but which one, how will I ever deal with this?, What happened to the “me” I used to be?, Where did all the money go?...”
Depression - like not wanting to be around people, feeling sad or sorry for yourself, Loneliness, blue, quick to anger, staying in bed, no motivation, unable to make decisions, lethargic, fatigue... many more, look this up.
Acceptance - You can't get help or enjoy any quality of life until you get to this stage. Surrender means “stop swimming upstream and go with the flow.” It means accepting your situation, then you can adapt to it, which is the key to survival.
It is not technical, but real. I would hope that my accomplishment proves this works, but we must put it to practice. We must make the choice to do it now! -dennis
(Ex: Pain is in your legs)
- Keep pain only to affected areas. Ex: if pain is in your legs, don't let it affect your arms, or head, or back.
- Keep a daily log of pain level, 1-10 scale, 10 is the worst pain you've ever had in your life.
- Try to take your emotions out of the process. Fear, worry, doubt, sadness, anger, etc. Approach it clinically.
- “Do what you can, when you can.” ex: if pain is your legs, do what you can with your arms, upper body, etc., keep as flexible as possible.
- Learn about your pain, your disease or injury. Knowledge is the key to fear! Learn how to learn, to spot real information from fraudulent.
- Learn the difference between damaging and non-damaging pain. Talk to a doctor or physical therapist about this and ask them this directly.
- Do not look for sympathy from your friends and family. Especially your kids!
All those who love you are as afraid, upset and worried as you are. They do not want to see you hurt. Be strong. Don't deny your children their childhood.
- Be Positive! All the time. Learn to spot negatives, in yourself and others. Learn to change the things you think into positives.
- Understand, you are now in the stages of Grief. (see below) This is extremely important. In grief, if you don't move on through the stages, and get stuck in one, you will enter a much more serious depression, which will affect the rest of your life. Really want out of this? Read on...
Denial – like; “I'm OK, this will go away..., This can't be happening..., That doctor doesn't know what he's talking about..., I'm not mad... ”
Anger – at the disease or injury, at the pain, at people, at yourself, at God. Learn to spot when anger is rising up, count to 10, put it aside for now.
Bargaining / confusion - “If I just do this, then maybe..., I need to make a decision but which one, how will I ever deal with this?, What happened to the “me” I used to be?, Where did all the money go?...”
Depression - like not wanting to be around people, feeling sad or sorry for yourself, Loneliness, blue, quick to anger, staying in bed, no motivation, unable to make decisions, lethargic, fatigue... many more, look this up.
Acceptance - You can't get help or enjoy any quality of life until you get to this stage. Surrender means “stop swimming upstream and go with the flow.” It means accepting your situation, then you can adapt to it, which is the key to survival.