September is Pain Awareness Month and, as a chronic pain blogger, obviously, I wanted to post about this annual event. I only wish my pain was an annual event rather than being here every day of the year.
I was asked a question on a podcast recently and I really had no idea how to answer. Sheryl from Sick Lessons asked what I thought my life would be like if I didn’t live with pain. I struggled to answer because I don’t really know anything else. I’ve lived with chronic pain for approximately forty years so there’s no real ‘before’ and ‘after’.
You can listen to the podcast here
If I didn’t have pain, I would probably still be working. I might have discovered my love of painting and become a full-time artist. Perhaps I would have had children and now be enjoying life with grandchildren too.
It’s hard to imagine what life could be like without pain and to be honest, I try to avoid doing that. I try to focus on what I can do instead. I try to be content and accept that this is what my life has to be like. But is it right or fair that so many people in the world have to be content with and accept a life full of pain?
It’s Not Right or Fair
No, it’s not right. It’s not fair. Chronic pain is an illness. And it’s a cruel illness. People often don’t realise just how much it affects life. And, too often, those who deal with it, are expected to cope with little help or support.
Chronic Pain Awareness – Living With a Horrible Companion
Chronic pain is pain that lasts for over three months. Most people probably find that hard to imagine. But many chronic pain patients live with pain for much, much longer.
As I said earlier, I’ve had to live with this not-very-nice companion for about forty years. That’s forty years of being controlled by something I’ve never been able to escape from. It controls everything in my life. It forced me to give up work when I was 28. I couldn’t have children because of my pain. It controls the every day tasks like dressing, showering and cooking. It even determines whether or not I can manage to clean my teeth.
Despite medication and using several coping techniques, my pain never stops. And I know that there’s no end in sight. I know that every day will be a replay of the day before, if not worse. It can be a difficult life but what other option do I have?
Pain Awareness Month Can Show How Difficult Life Can Be
People sometimes wonder why pain needs an awareness month because everyone has experienced pain. But what they don’t realise is that many people, people like myself, have to accept a life full of pain all the time. There are no days off from it. No respite breaks. It’s just pain all the time. And we have no option but to accept it. It doesn’t seem right or fair but that is life for us.
There are no magic solutions for treating chronic pain. There are some medications but doctors are becoming reluctant to prescribe them to chronic pain patients. Instead, they suggest that we should learn coping skills. I don’t disagree with learning coping skills but they are just that – they help you to cope. They don’t take away the pain.
Hopefully pain awareness month can help to show how difficult life can be for people who live with chronic pain. And hopefully that will lead to people getting more help and support.
Chronic Pain Patients Need Hope
I know there’s no quick fix for chronic pain. There is no long-term plan to make life easier. And that means that there is very little hope.
People who live with pain need hope. Every day can be a struggle but if there’s hope on the horizon, that struggle might be easier to bear.
If you know someone who lives in pain, please be there for them. I wrote a blog post explaining ways you can help. You can find that post here: How to Help People With Chronic Pain
It’s disconcerting to think of how things could have been without illness or pain. I try not to do that either but instead to focus on what I can do, right now. Sometimes you can’t help but think about it, the trick is just not to fall down into the abyss of those thoughts completely. It’s hard to get back out of.
Fabulous post as always, Liz. Thank you for all you do raising awareness & supporting others living with pain.
Caz xx
Yes, it’s hard sometimes not to think about the ‘if only’ but it probably doesn’t help us much.
Likewise, Caz, thank you for always raising awareness and supporting people too.