I’ve been writing about what it’s like to live with pain for several years. I’ve also been living with this unwanted companion for several decades. Over that time, I’ve learned that P doesn’t just stand for Pain. It also stands for many other words related to living with pain. What…
Category: Chronic Pain
Back Pain & Scoliosis
Read more
When Your Body Says No, But Your Diary Says Yes
Sometimes, our bodies say “no, not today.” But out of necessity, or even choice, we sometimes need to override the off switch. Unfortunately, that doesn’t switch off the pain. But if we have an appointment in our diaries, we do occasionally need to override that “no, not today.” Somehow, we…
Chronic Pain
Read more
When Doing Nothing Is Doing Something
At the end of last week, I was thinking to myself: I have been doing absolutely nothing all week. And then the guilt kicked in. But I’ve come to realise that when you’re living with pain or a chronic illness, very often doing nothing is actually doing something — looking…
Back Pain & Scoliosis
Read more
Living With Scoliosis: When Things Change
June is Scoliosis Awareness Month, so I thought it was the perfect time to explain a wee bit more about my back pain. I have been living with scoliosis (a curvature of my spine) for fifty years, and with the pain it’s brought for over forty years. I’ve learned to…
Back Pain & Scoliosis
Read more
Adapting to Chronic Pain — Again and Again
Adapting to chronic pain isn’t something that happens just once. Pain can change over time, and when it does, we have to learn how to live with it all over again. Adapting doesn’t make life perfect; it just makes some things possible — until the next change comes along and…
Chronic Pain
Read more
Focus On Something You Love, Despite Pain
It’s easier said than done, but sometimes we have to try to focus on something we love rather than the pain. Living with constant pain is hard. That’s putting it mildly, isn’t it? Pain creeps into every part of life, often putting a spanner in the works whenever you try…
Chronic Pain
Read more
Simple Comforts For Difficult Pain Days
The simple things in life are sometimes the things that bring most comfort, especially on difficult pain days. In my previous post, I talked about practical things that can help. Today, I want to share some of the small comforts and gentle coping strategies that help me through those tougher…
Chronic Pain
Read more
Practical Things That Help on Difficult Pain Days
In my previous post, I talked about the emotional side of living with pain. Today, I want to share some of the practical things that help me on those difficult pain days. But I want to start by being honest — sometimes nothing helps, and I just have to ride…
Back Pain & Scoliosis
Read more
Coping With Difficult Pain Days: Hope, Emotions & Getting Through it
Coping with chronic pain isn’t pretty — especially on the difficult days. It’s not just about the physical pain, but also about coping with the difficult emotions that come along with it. I often feel the emotional side of living with pain gets overlooked. But when pain is overwhelming, our…
Chronic Pain
Read more
Coping with Pain: Don’t I Deserve a PhD After 40 Years?
I’ve been living with chronic pain for over forty years, and sometimes I think to myself — don’t I deserve a PhD in Pain Management for coping with this monster that rules my life? I live with pain. I write about pain. I share tips, suggestions, and ideas to help…