You’re not helpless or alone.
There’s stuff you can do.
I live with pain and I write about it to help fellow strugglers. And to be helped by them. But mostly for another reason:
Suffering creates soldarity, a circle of love for all who are willing to take the risk of becoming open.
Today for me is a high pain-lay low day, a 5/6 on the 10 scale (see below). Meds will lower that a couple points.
Who’s Competent to Manage Chronic Pain?
You lead your pain management team.
It won’t erase your pain, if you educate yourself, find competent medical and therapeutic help, and be proactive. But it’ll help you live better.
Most GPs and nurses do not have training or deep experience in pain management. Look for humility in an experienced pain manager. There are some docs trained in chronic pain management, and some pain centers. Ask about credentials and experience treating chronic pain. Educate yourself at sites like:
They won’t take the place of medical care. Find people who know what they’re doing, and comply with their instructions.
Use meds safely.
I’m profoundly grateful to my med manager Dr. James Levenson at the VCU Medical Center, who has saved my life on more than one occasion and has freed me to fashion a life usually worth living.
The Pain Scale
The pain scale is a medical tool used to record pain levels. A nurse assessing you medically should ask,
- “Are you in pain?”
- “If 0 is no pain, and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine, what’s your pain level now?”
Most pain can be eased, if not eliminated. Properly supervised, you won’t get addicted to meds.
There’s plenty of pain you can’t avoid, so why not avoid what you can?
Something to live for is the best pain management strategy.
The Gateway Theory
The brain can accept only so many stimuli, so if you distract it, you won’t feel the pain so much.
What’s in My Toolkit
On such a day I’m grateful for the tools I’ve learned:
- You have permission to stay warm, quiet, until the storm passes
- You can use the gateway theory
- Caffeine, stress will cause a pain spike
- Pain is just pain, not anything else
- Never fight with loved ones when in pain
- Feeling sorry for yourself (or for others) hurts more
- Love lasts, pain doesn’t
- I believe God feels the pain with you, for you
About Prayer
Why is a mystery. But in spite of my questions, or maybe because of them, I am a Christ-follower.
For many years a pastor, I believe the churches often fail. But God has never failed me.
God’s love is like a soft blanket, a warm pool, a moonlit path.
Sure, God also confronts us when we mess up, But only to get us back on the road to unselfish, abundant living. God’s love and grace makes it possible for me to live with pain.
John’s Pain Stump Speech
Living with unnecessary pain is not heroic. It’s stupid.
