Suggestions for coping through pain
Hey there! For anybody out there with experience, I’d really appreciate hearing how you cope with chronic or long lasting pain. After years with it, I’m finally starting to crack and could really use your help. Thank you so much for reading, it means a lot.
Hi @Dustfarer. Sorry to hear you are struggling!
Everyone copes with pain differently but personally for me I manage a few ways. I take ibuprofen or some sort of pain reliever, drink lots of fluid, exercise, do physical therapy, and most importantly rest on the days I need to.
Mentally it is different story. I get frustrated with my chronic pain almost daily. Lately when I start to get frustrated I try to find one good thing about it. For example, yes, I may not be able to play the sports I once could, but on the upside I am way stronger willed than my peers. Sometimes just trying to find a positive no matter how small (i.e. able to breathe and living) is all that I need to do to cope. Other times it is just about acknowledging my emotions. We all have a right to feel what we feel and we shouldn't deny ourselves that time to feel sad, mad, upset, etc.
@Dustfarer. I do take some pain relief medications (non narcotic) I also apply a heating pad to painful areas . Other times a cold pack. There are some pain relief creams and gels that I use also. I can’t get rid of pain completely but it helps me if I can get it down a notch. I have heard from some people that mindfulness helps some people cope with their pain. I hope that you find something that helps.
