Pain Awareness Month

themighty.com/video/painting-our-pain-ehlers-danlos-syndrome #PainAwarenessMonth #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #hypermobilityspectrumdisorder

#PainAwarenessMonth

To join the “festivities” I have had an abdominal spasm now for several days, nothing moves in my gut, no normal belly sounds , nothing passing through.
This is not constipation but that is ultimately what the ER doctors will say it is every ER visit. The pain is unbearable, I am literally folded in half, just sitting here.
I am actually thankful is not a chest plate spasm, bc you feel like you can’t breathe and triggers my anxiety. I can’t raise my arms, can’t grasp, can’t hold my own weight up. This is #Spasticity you just never know when or where it will strike.
May I ask other spasticity sufferers what works for them?, part of my problem is severe dehydration and that doesn’t help.
(My home has a disabled shower but no tub so I can’t soak)
#MS #Spasticity #CRPS
Much love to y’all, I hope you get some relief soon.

So I’ve been searching high and low and recently reached out with a question about the most irritating comments or questions those of us battling chronic pain face on the day to day. I decided to make a list because it’s absolutely fucking necessary and possibly jotting down some of these will help those of you trying to help those with chronic pain. Basically what not to say or ask, OK? So here is goes:

-Just don’t think about it
-Just think happy thoughts
-I hope you feel better soon
-“So and so” has it way worse
-At least you get to miss work
-I think you just need to drink more water
-Maybe shedding a few pounds would help?
-Have you tried Yoga? Cycling?
-Have you been to acupuncture? Chiropractor?
-Have you seen a therapist?
-You’re too young to be in this much pain
-Boy you don’t look like you’re in any pain at all
-Have you tried DBT? CBT? ECT?
-Have you tried mindfulness?
-What about essential oils?
-Have you tried CBD? THC?
-Have you ever thought about going to a hypnotist?
-Have you tried the tens unit?
-Have you tried warm water swimming?
-Massages?
-Joint injections? Steroid injections? Botox? Trigger point injections? Dry needle therapy?
-Lidocaine patches?
-Have you ever tried Ice/cold packs?
-Have you ever tried to ask god for help? 😬🙄 What about going to church?
-Do you go to PT? Do you own a traction device?
-You must not be in THAT much pain
-Well at least you get pain killers
-Aren’t you afraid of getting addicted?
-You can’t be on medication all of your life
-Don’t you think you just need some fresh air? A vacation?
-Have you tried chronic pain therapy groups? Do you try and connect with others dealing with chronic pain?
-Have you ever thought about changing your diet, maybe that’ll help the pain?
-Have you tried Turmeric?
-Have you ever tried to look on the positive side for once?
-Oh it’ll be over before you know it
-But you looked fine yesterday why aren’t you at school/work today?
-Why do carry so many meds in your purse?
-What would happen if you all of a sudden got pregnant?
-Why don’t you just move if you don’t like the winters here?
-Maybe if you thought positive ...
-Always complaining
-Well at least you lived.
-You’re still in pain?
-I forgot you were even in a car accident! How long has it been?
-Maybe you should take up a hobby?
....
and yeah there’s more so feel free to take the reigns on what wasn’t said. There’s books to be made here with all the answers to this never ending question of “What NOT to ask/say to someone with Chronic Pain...” some of these questions I know aren’t intended to hurt the person suffering from chronic pain’s feelings but please try and understand just a little harder. Think before you speak and know first and foremost that the word “chronic” means FOR LIFE. ❤️ #ChronicPain #InvisibleIllness #PainAwarenessMonth #TraumaticBrainInjury

I have this thing called Chronic Fatigue
And it claws at me, greedily

It hangs off my bones
Like soaking wet clothes, that never dry

My body bows to its weight
Often I can’t lift myself out of bed for days

I want so much to articulate how I feel
To show them that this pain is real
But the fatigue has seeped into my bones
Replaced blood with stones, I feel like I’m Brighton beach
Hundreds upon thousands of mini rocks
Sharped and stacked up inside of me

But I can close my eyes and visualise
A ‘me’ where my mind is alive
Where I can follow conversations without it being a massive exertion
I might be with you physically
But mentally, I clocked out long ago
My brain has switched its light off and gone for a nap at home

And it won’t be woken
That’s where I should be
To the world I’m smiling
But interally, I feel like I’m being squeezed

I have this thing called Chronic Fatigue
No one knows where it comes from
But right now it lives in me
I’ve provided a home to some invisible thing
I’m nice like that

You don’t get a choice with what body you get
But you do have a say in your mindset
This thing has taken a lot from me
But I won’t ever let it stop me from being me

#ChronicFatigueSyndrome #PainAwarenessMonth #Acceptance #ChronicPain #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #InvisibleIllness #self   
#MightyPoets

September is #PainAwarenessMonth -- a time for people #ChronicPain  to speak out about the challenges they face. 

So we're inviting you to share what your pain is like using the hashtag #ExplainMyPain . What does your pain feel like? How would you describe it to someone who hasn't experienced chronic pain? What do you wish others knew about your experience with pain and the challenges you face?

You can also support other pain warriors by commenting and "heart"ing their posts. Thank you for your  courage in speaking out and fighting through pain every day. We see you and we're so proud of you.