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How to Endure Chronic Pain

By Janíce Rogers

I’ve lived with fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome for a decade now. I realize it doesn’t make me an expert, but I try to give a bit of advice to newly diagnosed fellow fibro and RSD citizens who ask me what to do about it. Here are a few:

• When strangers tell you that you don’t look sick and that you don’t need that handicapped placard, tell them politely that they don’t look stupid, either. Oh well. People with chronic pain try to be polite, but sometimes their mouths get away with them. Go figure.

• When the doctor tells you that you need to do more exercise and lose weight, give him a blank look with a smile, nod your head, and remember all the times you’ve been on the treadmill like a hamster on a Habitrail wheel.

• When acquaintances grab your arm and ask, “Are you feeling better? I’m sorry, did I just hurt you?” let them know that your chronic pain has an automatic shut-off button exactly where they touched you. As the tears roll down your cheeks, make sure to reassure them you are peachy-keen.

• When families at reunions bear hug you, try not to scream. It will ruin the festive atmosphere. Try to remember where you parked in the mass of unmarked spaces. That fog in your head is entirely a creation of your own. Remember that.

• By all means, join a support group. When the same person goes on and on month after month about their enormous troubles, you will feel better about yourself. There are, after all, some who have more difficulties than you do.

• When all else fails, try what a physician once told me: “Just plant a mood garden or some garbage like that.” He then proceeded to throw me a handful of pills. For kicks, I did plant a garden, but I still take the pills. I wonder which one is helping more? •

© 2010 Janíce Rogers. All rights reserved.

About the Author
Janíce Rogers lives with her hubby of nine years, four dogs, three cats, and one wolf cross. Tractor Supply gratefully accepts their money each payday. Her blog can be found at www.chronichope.com.

3/29/10