Losing Months to Chronic Pain

I hope to encourage you. I spent several years in bed, and like most and perhaps you, I was trapped from a world that was different. I did some self paced study whilst lying there alone. To assist me in expressing myself and bringing meaning or purpose to my days. I learnt to write and create. Eventually, when wellness began to return (and i didn't recognise it at first), I started to go out with a friend here or there. I had to figure out how to cook and clean again for myself. But I decided to make some parts of my day, grateful. That went up and down a bit. Some days were easier than others. I decided to change my language from negative to more productive. That also was a bit of a roller coaster. As I began to return to the 'outside world', life changed, and I became aware of new commitment to myself. It has had ups and downs, but I moved on to a newer version of myself. Eventually, my body and emotions caught up with my desire. The most authentic thing I have learnt is that the situation will change. I am in a wheelchair now, but have learnt to go with what I am and not who I was... be encouraged to know you are not alone.

This is probably something on here nearly everyone with chronic pain can relate to! You put it into words and those words were deeply felt by me and others. I live at home with my parents and we joke that I am more like 91 than 21. I think a big part of chronic pain/illness is allowing yourself to grieve for the parts of life you have and will miss. Chronic pain doesn’t only hurt you physically it can hurt emotionally- seeing friends/others your age doing things that you wish you could be a part of, or having friends invite you out and saying no because your body won’t let you. So freaking relatable

Yes. You’re not alone. I have been suffering for 30 years and feeling like everyone is living except me. I am bedridden from pain. I think the only way to get through it is to keep talking to others about it and try to find a few moments of joy in the day. Just a moment that makes you feel happy. It’s extremely difficult and frustrating. Thankfully the people here seem to understand and it helps.

Yes. I've lost years to it now. I'm missing out on college, celebrating my 21st birthday now, on having a social life, working on my skills and hobbies, etc.. my illness has taken everything from me. My quality of life is horrible and I spend my days alone, in the house, often having to be in bed and there's very little to do. It's mind numbingly boring and there's just no end in sight to the suffering and to this dullness

Think a lot of my life has been lost to chronic pain and illness. People are so far ahead of me it's not even funny... And I used to be way ahead of them. Now I'm 20, unemployed, and barely maintaining college courses. So, yeah, I get it.