Pain support information for us ladies and gentlemen

[Guest guest]

Got these tips from one of my newsletters I really like enjoy he

reading Heidi

An Invisible Condition

Many people write to PainSupport about the difficulties they have

with getting some people to understand their pain. This may be

because pain can't be seen, it's an `invisible illness' and a very

personal experience.

Some people especially don't understand that we can go out, look well

and appear 'normal' one day - and then refuse invitations another.

They may not appreciate how our activity levels can vary from day to

day, even from hour to hour - and it's often something that's just as

confusing for us!

Many people will understand but you may come across some who don't.

We need to make a judgement about how much to tell people about our

condition and who to tell. We don't want to become a `pain bore' and

tell everyone everything! So we need to decide when and where it is

appropriate to explain our condition in order to have our needs met.

When you describe your pain and the effect it has on your life, speak

in a calm and matter-of-fact way.

Despite our pain and lack of energy, we need to make the effort in

this or we will find misunderstandings arise and our needs are not

being met.

What To Do

Maintaining a positive attitude is often a bigger challenge than

dealing with the actual physical pain. The pain will have changed our

lives. One of the biggest challenges is to come to terms with our

limitations and find a new way of living.

1. Realize you're not alone. Millions are living with pain and hidden

conditions.

2. Your pain is REAL. Believe in yourself, even if others question

your pain.

3. Remember that you're not responsible for other people's reactions.

4. Speak matter-of-factly whenever you talk about your pain.

5. When it's necessary, help others to understand by explaining, in a

calm way, how your pain affects you and what you need.

6. Learn to honour your limitations and to say 'no' - the first step

toward taking care of your needs.

7. Discover all you can about your illness/condition.

8. Join a support group.

9. See pain 'flare-ups' not as crises, but as challenges in learning

how to cope. Setbacks are a normal part of your condition.

10. Recognized that the nature of life is change. Pain changes in

intensity throughout the day. Your job is to discover all you can

about ways to reduce the intensity.

11. You need to create ways to improve your future. Think how to

replace parts of your life that you may have lost with new ventures

and interest.

12. Keeping pain under control can sometimes be a full-time job. The

best way is to avoid stressful situations and conflicts, focus on

things that are meaningful, pleasurable and fulfilling and do

everything at a pace you can cope with.

[Guest guest]

Very well put! Thank you for sharing!!!

>

> Got these tips from one of my newsletters I really like enjoy he

> reading Heidi

>

> An Invisible Condition

>

>

>

> Many people write to PainSupport about the difficulties they have

> with getting some people to understand their pain. This may be

> because pain can't be seen, it's an `invisible illness' and a very

> personal experience.

>

>

>

> Some people especially don't understand that we can go out, look

well

> and appear 'normal' one day - and then refuse invitations another.

> They may not appreciate how our activity levels can vary from day

to

> day, even from hour to hour - and it's often something that's just

as

> confusing for us!

>

>

>

> Many people will understand but you may come across some who

don't.

> We need to make a judgement about how much to tell people about

our

> condition and who to tell. We don't want to become a `pain bore'

and

> tell everyone everything! So we need to decide when and where it

is

> appropriate to explain our condition in order to have our needs

met.

>

>

>

> When you describe your pain and the effect it has on your life,

speak

> in a calm and matter-of-fact way.

>

>

>

> Despite our pain and lack of energy, we need to make the effort in

> this or we will find misunderstandings arise and our needs are not

> being met.

>

>

>

> What To Do

>

>

>

> Maintaining a positive attitude is often a bigger challenge than

> dealing with the actual physical pain. The pain will have changed

our

> lives. One of the biggest challenges is to come to terms with our

> limitations and find a new way of living.

>

>

>

> 1. Realize you're not alone. Millions are living with pain and

hidden

> conditions.

>

> 2. Your pain is REAL. Believe in yourself, even if others question

> your pain.

>

> 3. Remember that you're not responsible for other people's

reactions.

>

> 4. Speak matter-of-factly whenever you talk about your pain.

>

> 5. When it's necessary, help others to understand by explaining,

in a

> calm way, how your pain affects you and what you need.

>

> 6. Learn to honour your limitations and to say 'no' - the first

step

> toward taking care of your needs.

>

> 7. Discover all you can about your illness/condition.

>

> 8. Join a support group.

>

> 9. See pain 'flare-ups' not as crises, but as challenges in

learning

> how to cope. Setbacks are a normal part of your condition.

>

> 10. Recognized that the nature of life is change. Pain changes in

> intensity throughout the day. Your job is to discover all you can

> about ways to reduce the intensity.

>

> 11. You need to create ways to improve your future. Think how to

> replace parts of your life that you may have lost with new

ventures

> and interest.

>

> 12. Keeping pain under control can sometimes be a full-time job.

The

> best way is to avoid stressful situations and conflicts, focus on

> things that are meaningful, pleasurable and fulfilling and do

> everything at a pace you can cope with.

>