Stronger

Hi, my name is KWPDX17. I’m new to The Mighty and look forward to sharing my story.

#MightyTogether

#MultipleSclerosis #Stronger Together

So I recently became friends with someone. Over time I’ve slowly got to know them, and last week found out they too suffer from chronic pain!

I have never met another YA that suffers from chronic pain but many older people, so I imagine the rate is fairly low. So I guess it’s as they say: like attracts like.

Life update:
Can’t remember if I said before, but I have a new job. It’s quite hard work, but thankfully my back has been okay.

To be honest, my back is okay most the time these days, but I don’t know if it’s just the case of being so used to the pain that I don’t notice low-level pain anymore.

Though I keep getting reminded how my life has changed because of chronic pain.

I’ve been thinking about going to the gym and doing exercises at home, but my brain reminds me I can’t do as much as everyone else can, because it sets off the pain and there’s only so much of it that I can take.

And when I was visiting my friend, I saw them run up the stairs and it hit me that I don’t/ can’t do that anymore. Quick movements set off the pain, and I get scared of tripping and injuring myself again (traumatic response). I never quite realised until that day.

Don’t take any of this the wrong way though, I’m not feeling sorry for myself at all. There is *so* much I can still do and the fact I can lead a relatively normal life is a blessing I never deserved but try to make the most of. And what caused the pain should have left me dead or at the very least paralysed, and it didn’t.

The pain I live with, the memories of being in resus and not being able to move much, the difficulties as a result of the injuries I suffered, they make me grateful and have taught me so much.

#ChronicPain #LivingWithChronicPain #Pain #Memories #Trauma #Reflection #Stronger #Blessed