Posted by Sef on February 8, 2000, at 21:08:41
In reply to Still Hanging On, Still Here.....!, posted by Michael on February 8, 2000, at 15:42:11
>Michael, chronic pain is what Finally pushed me over the edge into severe depression. One day on my way to work I was sitting at a stop light and a semi hit me from behind. He lost his brakes. That day changed my life forever. I have a vertebrae in my neck that turned side ways. Now I have chronic pain in my neck/upper back. I can't sit for any length of time or I get shooting pains in my arms and the the pain in my neck/back becomes excruciating. To top it off, it turns out I am allergic to most pain killers.
People either don't understand at all or are only simpathetic when it doesn't get in the way of their plans (ex- taking a long trip in the car, going to a movie, lingering in a restaurant etc...}. I also think that when the pain is in your back people sometimes don't believe you, which is like pouring salt in the wound.
ADs are the only thing that saved my life. Prozac has helped to reduce the constant muscle spasms the pain was causing. I have been to neuro-surgeons, neurologists, chiropractors, osteopaths..... no one can fix it. I understand your total frustration.
My Psychologist was very instrumental in helping me deal with people. I wanted to go back to college, but was affraid of sitting for classes. He told me to tell the teacher I would be sitting in the back of the class because I have back problems and that I may have to stand up from time to time. This is just one example of the many ways I have learned to stand up for myself, and who cares what others think. You have to take care of yourself.
Do you get muscle spasms from your pain? If so you may want to try prozac, it also helped with my depression.
Take care, and remember someone understands your chronic pain.
poster:Sef
thread:20784
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000128/msgs/20823.html