Chronic Pain

[livingwith]

Hi: I am a retired nurse. I am 62 years old. I cannot work any longer due to the lack of relief from chronic pain which causes my depression and sleep deprivation. No one understands what I am going through. My husband is no help. I have been in pain for over 20 years with no relief. Doctors have placed injection after injection in the rhomboid muscle under my left shoulder with only temporary relief..! At first, the pain subsided for up to several days, but always returned with a vengeance.....Read the full article

[Catlou]

Hi , well i understand you! I have been living with chronic pain in my neck for years and years at least 24 myself, it now has spread to my shoulders..any type of activity, painting , mowing the lawn, lifting my grandchild, groceries etc...only aggravates. I was diagnosed with Osteo with degen.disk in my neck, just holding my head is painful, medication does not work. I also have sleepless nights...i also have depression and anxiety. It's not fun. I too wonder what will happen when i'm older, i'm only 55.

It's sad that your partner is not supportive, does he accept your mental illness, if not then it only adds to how you feel about yourself and your illness. I'm single , so survival is on my own, sometimes it's better that way , than having someone who is there but isn't giving you the support one needs. I don't think there is any one answer for living with chronic pain....but sometime it helps to talk with people who suffer with the same intensity of it. I wish i had some answers for you..try and find a support system with people who understand, but you already know this stuff as i do being in the profession i was in...so sometimes it feels like grin and bare it....and we do to a certain extent. Unless those who don't understand and ignore us when we "complain" will go through some of the pains of aging may know how we feel one day. Not that one would wish it on anyone . I think it would be called compassion at this point. some have it others don't. Maybe try some meditatio and yoga deep breathing exercises...it helps sometimes not always tho...depends how much pain there is.

Take care and God Bless
Catlou