Thanksgiving
When folks hurt, it is all too easy to focus on the pain and negativity that sometimes threatens to consume us. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and defeated in our ability to cope with such debilitation. Depression can creep up on folks and take away the ability to manage daily routine. This can add to the downward spiral and sense of hopelessness that many folks experience at least once in their lifetime.
It is a proven fact our thoughts can and do effect our body. What we think can have a direct effect on how we perceive our pain and condition. Negative thoughts can lead to increased pain and limitations. Pain can be magnified by our thoughts.
Thanksgiving is an opportunity to focus on the things we have and the things we are able to do. Remeniscing about years past can be a good thing!
While I was sitting in Physical Therapy this afternoon doing exercises for my neck strain, I began thinking about things I was thankful for. I developed quite a list including my new husband and our first Thanksgiving. I have the opportunity to share the day with family which is a blessing that many folks do not share. I started to think about the cooking and baking that was ahead of me and then thought how good it was that I was able to do it. I know I am going to need to adjust my approach in order to manage comfortably. And I know I am going to need to ask for assistance with some things such as lifting the turkey and placing it in and out of the oven--but that is ok!
I have made a list of the things I need to prepare and I am deciding what things I can do ahead of time. Wednesday evening I will work on these tasks and get them out of the way. This will leave some room for the larger ones that must take place on Thursday. Pacing myself will help me avoid problems with spasms and discomfort which can interfere with my day. Timing my morning dose of anti-inflammatory medication will also help with functioning and comfort. When others ask if they can help, I am going to say Sure! and have them help with some of the tasks such as setting the table or preparing condiments.
I have a feeling Thanksgiving will be a great day in my home. It will be an opportunity to let others know how special they are. It will be a time to let them know they are appreciated and loved. It is a little bit harder to feel badly when positive thoughts fill the mind.
How about you? Do you have any special thoughts or memories that come to mind? Are there any plans or strategies you can put into place to help you this Thanksgiving?
12 Comments:
I have low back pain at the waist. It is about an 8/9 on a scale of 0-10 for pain. I have asked my doc for a referral to have an x-ray. It is excruciating pain just in that area and hurts even when I take a deep breath.
I am also not sure about taking pain pills or anti-inflamatory drugs until I've had the x-ray.
I have back pain and neck pain this pain is mainly on the right side of my spine. It starts in my low back and follows all the way up to my neck. I have seen my doctor and gotten pain medicine, but it isnt helping. I had an x-ray done and nothing seems to be wrong. I also have moderate sleeping problems to where some nights I can't fall asleep at all. Any suggestions on what it might be?
my mother in law has terrible arthritis and has tried stuff like osteo bi flex,etc. I know she has let this go for many years,but the newer meds seem to have awful side effects. Is there any help out there?
I have been in chronic pain for 5 years--after all this time i have finally found a medication that works.Over the years I have had every test known to mankind and been treated like a dog (i am also a nurse)I have seen at least 4 doctors and 6 specialists-some out of state at great expence..I have numerous disagnosis--fibro-sjogrens-?lupus CFS--who knows?? I have lost my career-all my savings and all my friends as well as being a huge burden to my family.I have needed assistance with my ADLs and walk with a canadian crutch secondary to falling frequently--I was 43 when this started. No one around here wants to use pain medication--I have tried it all--I was only out of bed 2 hours a day--at one piont i became suicidal from not being able to take the pain anymore. Thats when I went on Vicodin which gave me little relief if any. I went to 3 different pain clinics and the last one--bingo--I finally meet a PA and MD who understand what its like to be in pain.They were also the first place to actually examine me-with a johnny on--I quess the others have xray vision--I have actually been 'examined' with a winter coat on and boots??
It has been a real eye opener for me to be on the recieving side of medicine being a nurse. The system is a total mess.
On the positive side--I have started a new medication--Kadian--for me it has been like a miricle==I am up all day-I know longer walk with a cane/crutch--my pain level stays even keel because the pills are extended release--pain has gone from 10+ constant to 4.
So if I can say anything to anyone it would be keep searching-don't give up.
I know how hard it is to have to fight to get answers and treatment-and i know the system -i really feel for those who do not.
So I am on morphine? I dont feel high-I am clearer than ever...I HAVE A LIFE AGAIN...It also helps that for the past 3 years I jabe been doing meditation and yoga (light)-biofeedback ect... Md says I am the perfect patient as far as that goes..but still no one wanted to help with the pain...FINALLY......lynn
Gosh, it's amazing what pain does to me (and others I'm sure). Unfortunately, I have several pain situations: RA, fibro, cervical and lumbar stenosis,HBP, siezure disorder, Baker's Cysts, and add major depression! I went back to college at 35, graduated in '95, taught for 10 years, AND THEN was diagnosed with the above. Leaving teaching was such a loss.
I have much to be thankful for, but pain screams in my ears constantly. Just this week I was put on Kadian (was on Methodone). I still hurt with med, but it's bearable sometimes. I have epidurals every 2 months. If you saw me you'd think I was well.
I don't want to be on narcotics, but don't know what else to do. Used to be able to hide my illnesses around most people, but I can't anymore, so I'm staying home more, which causes more depression I just did sign up, and had to get this off my chest. Guess it's a pity party.
I'm proud of those who are able to overcome pain with thoughts of their blessings. If I only could...
I hope you don't mind my asking how much Kadian you're on, Lynn. It has not helped me yet and I am at my wits end. It's OK if you'd rather not say.
Thanks, Donna
I've been in pain now for the last three years I've been on loretabs and methadone I'm trying like hell to get off the methadone so of course my pain is even worse there's day I feel I can't get out of bed my whole body aches like all my joints are inflamed I'm so tired I don't sleep well at all even with sleeping pills. I think about taking all my sleeping pills at once to put me out of this misery what in the hell is going on why are so many of us in pain all the time and doctors don't help or can't help because your tests show nothing but, you still feel the pain. The pain meds worked for a while I'm just sick of feeling sick from being on the pills or being in withdrawl from the pills and still feeling bad I can't win. I take zoloft for my depression that's not even helping I'm only 30yrs. old and if this is how the rest of my life is gonna be I'd rather be dead! Help God I don't think I'm gonna make it.
To the last anonymous poster who posted at 2:28 p.m., please visit our Pain Management board for support and insight.
And please let your doctors know you need more help and all you've told us here.
cher said... Anonomous,I have been in pain for 8 years now.I am on Zoloft and Welbuterin.I had to get on a second antidepressant;and keep on trying.I am going to push at dr.'s now on my own.I am going back to my Gen. Pract. and tell him to schedual an MRI, bone scan, and whatever else he can think of to get me diagnosed.Don't give up...even though its hard.I ache so bad I have to muster all my courage to move on my side to try to sit up...and stand.Keep fighting anonomous...you truly have someone who understands here. 12:08 a.m.
Hi, Im Wanda- Im in so much pain myself, I was told I have Sjogrens, Ra,Fibermyalgia. I tooth care of my teeth but now I am having to have all removed and get dentures, the sjogrens has decayed my teeth ALL in less than 2 months. The healing of this is very painful as just having a tooth pulled. The doctor put me on lyrica but this crap is not helping. I take cymbalta for the depression and Im about to loose my job, I like the rest of you I cant get out of bed, what I use to do in less than 2 hours (cleaning house) is taking me 8 or I dont get but one thing done a day . I have problems driving cause the pain in the legs is terrible, I almost had a wreck the other day cause I was hurting and I was trying to strecth my legs while driving and that almost caused the accident.
Do most people who have this able to work, my boss told me if I couldnt do my normal job she didnt need me. thanks for letting me vent. P.S. I had went to the ER. they thought I was on some sort of drugs and wanted more because I could not sit still cause I was hurting so bad and agitated.
pain, is a billion dollar operation for the drug companies, I have been in pain for over 25 years, I have advcanced R.A. I have herniated, buldging disks thru out my spine, I have deteriation of the s.i. joint (hip joint, sacroliliac joints) I can barely turn my head, I am starting to get more and more hunched over from a disease call ankylonsing sponilitis, I have fybromyalgia, various parts of my body like my feet wrist swell up for no reason, I have a rhuematologist, a pain management doctor and a few others, and nothing really works 100%, suicide may be my way out but that will not help my family, i am only 37 i am on disability, it is starting in my hands, i have had to buy numerous assistant devices. i just ordered something to help me with stamina as i am always tired. i could sleep the whole nite, and be in agony when i awake where i cant get out of bed, and i am lost any suggestions. please help. i can be reached at steve1202ny@yahoo.com please no junk mail or mailing lists, i am looking for serious help as life gets harder every day, i am in theraphy as well, if any one out there is like me drop me a line, lets talk again suicide only hurts your loved ones. but i please need help thanks.
steve
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