How To Live As Comfortable As Possible With Chronic Pain

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Halloo,

I don’t think I am properly qualified to write about coping with Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia. The few techniques that I know and that actually work for me are not being properly followed.

I know I am my own worst enemy.

I will still write about these techniques anyway in hope that someone will be more sensible and follow them religiously.

Here we go:

STAY AWAY FROM STRESSFUL SITUATION

My number one favorite is this- I find that it is important to recognize situations that stress you up and do all in your power to stay away from them. This situation can be from a person, an environment, discussion, or anything, just simply move away. This one I have to say I am not doing badly. I will give myself 75%.

STRETCHES

You should start by stretching in the morning. Right there on your bed, before you get up in the morning. Stretch out like cats do. This will reduce stiffness. Also do some stretches out of bed, preferably after a bath, when the muscles are warm. I also score really well here. 80% is what I will give myself. It would have been more if not that on some occasions where I simply just crawl out of bed and just start the day straight away.

There are millions of videos on the internet showing how to do stretches. Or just join a class.

WORK OR TIE YOUR TIME TO SOMETHING

Work, or do something meaningful. I am not trying to patronize anybody, I am simply stating what helped me. I left my job because of Chronic Pain, one of the worst decisions of my life. You need a purpose, and something to focus on rather than the pain. Work will provide that for you.

I spent years at home feeling sorry for myself and this allow the pain to take over. Depression sets in. Anxiety followed. I never thought I could live a normal life again. I gave up hope. I even stopped going to see the Doctor. Only the grace of God and sheer determination got me to where I am today.

So please give yourself something to do. Start a business, seek employment, do charity work. Just do something that will get you up every morning whether you want to get up or not. You will see that it starts getting easier. I promise.

The thing about having a purpose is not that it will cure your pain, but it will take the focus away from it. Don’t overdo it though. Don’t push yourself too hard that you get so stressed that your pain skyrocket. I am so guilty of this one. The score to myself here will be an appalling 20%.

DANCING OR KEEP MOVING

I also dance to relieve stress and keep my movement up. I am by no means a good dancer but I am a happy and enthusiastic dancer. I love doing it and makes me really happy.

SALTS & ESSENTIAL OILS ARE GREAT

Having a good soak in a bath of warm water, Dead Sea salt, Himalayan salt, Epsom salt, and essential oils are great for pain relief. I score 80% here.

Read my post on using salts to manage pain here

JOIN SUPPORT GROUPS

I also find joining a support group helps. It is amazing how other people’s stories can inspire you. I think one of the greatest turning points in my life is when I stumbled upon one of those groups. If not for anything, pouring your heart out without the feeling of being a burden is really great. This is the main reason why I write openly about my life with chronic pain- you can read my story- Why I write openly about my chronic pain.

What is even more important- you know the people in the support group understand what you are talking about. I score 90% here.

DO SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

You have to make a conscious effort to create time and do something that really makes you happy. Happiness don’t just come organically, we have to seek it out. Read my blog post- How to create moments of happiness.

SEE A THERAPIST

I also find Therapy very helpful. Naturally, I don’t like to talk about my personal feelings. I talk a lot, but it is always about general things. Therapy helped me to stop bottling things up. If you have this service available to you please use it. I scored 60% here.

GET A MASSAGE

Massage is good also and something that I can’t honestly swear by because my pain is somewhere in my ribcage, I think massage can’t get to it. But I always come out relaxed. So not bad.

EAT HEALTHY FOOD

Healthy eating is also a really good way of dealing with pain. Especially if one can lose weight. I am ashamed to say my score here will be 35% and I am being generous. I eat some foods that I should really stay away from. I eat at the wrong time. And my portions are enormous. So here we are. I love food.

ACUPUNCTURE

Many people swear by Acupuncture as being a really great help. I have not tried it because I am afraid of needles, if you are not afraid of needles, then try it and let me know your verdict.

OTHER TECHNIQUES

People also talked about Yoga, Pilates, Breathing techniques, mindfulness, Meditation, Hypnotism, and many other techniques. I will be lying if I said they are great because I haven’t tried most of them for long or at all.

But Yoga is really relaxing and good on the senses. Ever since I started yoga my depression mood and anxiety are not as bad as it normally is.

Finally, I will like to give my 2 cents to using medication to manage pain. Many people have different opinions on this. Mine is this- While using medically prescribed drugs, I find myself in a perpetual state of sleepiness. I wasn’t functioning properly, not alert at all. My drugs were changed a couple of times but the result wasn’t great.

Some of these drugs start off great. Then later just not as effective as it was earlier.

So now. I tried to stay away from these medications as much as possible, which means more pain. I developed the coping strategy I mentioned earlier. On particularly rough days when I can’t cope I take the medications. My Doctor reckons I am not doing myself any favours, but I think otherwise.

So I can’t advise anyone to do this. You will have to make your mind up about it, after considering all your circumstances.

Please feel free to ask me questions. I will do my best to answer with my limited knowledge.

Thanks for reading. May you find solace and comfort in all aspects of your life.

Thanks a lot for reading. Please, your contributions to this post will be appreciated in the comment section below. Help by clicking like, and share with your friends. Also, don’t forget to join other subscribers to receive notifications of new posts by email. I appreciate it.

Stay with me,

Ruka

Stay with me,

Ruka

About Post Author

Ruka

My name is Ruka. Born and bred in Nigeria. Now living in Ireland. I am a Woman, Feminist, Wife, Mother, Muslim, Black, and African. I am an Entrepreneur who also works in Finance Administration. I am a Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Warrior. I love writing and hope to make a name for myself doing it.

rukaganiyu5@gmail.com

https://www.rukasplace.com

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