What Ails You: Reclaiming your life from global pain

Global pain syndromes (fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, neuropathies, etc.) often trap their victims in psychological prisons that rob them of everything that makes life worth living. Daily pain makes birthday parties, family trips, even dinner out with friends monumental ordeals that simply don’t seem worth the trouble.

I know you are tired and sad, but you are the only one who can make this better. Pain is a real, physical experience, but suffering can become a habit. Like any habit, the habit of suffering through life can be broken. One step followed by another, one new good habit replacing an older bad one and, eventually, you will find that you can recover your happy life.  

Sleep is an enormous obstacle. Pain keeps you awake, and without restorative sleep, you wake sore, achy and stiff instead of rested and ready to face the day. During the course of the day, your body encounters toxins and sustains minor damage. While you sleep, your body repairs this “micro-trauma”. You must get rest. If you are not sleeping well, talk to your doctor.

Chronic pain causes depression. Depression is not a character flaw. It is a real chemical imbalance affecting the way the brain works. Talk honestly with your doctor. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for a referral to a psychiatrist. It is the psychiatrist who is best suited to assessing your needs and prescribing appropriate medication. Life and your pain will become much more manageable when the depression lifts.  

You will need to make lifestyle changes. You need to be eating well, exercising daily, taking the right medications and supplements for your needs. Regimentation can be extremely helpful in getting your life back on track. Make an hour by hour schedule of your week. Plan for your five healthy meals (three main meals and two snacks) every day. Schedule exercise breaks.

Put thought into your schedule and plan for things that are enjoyable. Schedule time with your friends, an outing to a movie, volunteer time at church. Once formed, commit to follow your schedule for a week. Keep a journal and be forgiving of yourself. At the end of the week, take an honest look at your schedule and consider what worked and what didn’t.

Exercise will help ease your pain, but it can be daunting to get started. Your physical therapist can design a program unique to your needs. High impact activities like jogging and aerobics are probably not the right thing, but you should be walking regularly. Swimming is an ideal activity for you during the summer months if you have access to a pool. Resistance training (using weights or elastic) is an important part of any fitness routine so you may wish to consider membership in a local gym or fitness classes at the college. Tai Chi is a wonderful, low impact exercise that trains your body toward better balance and muscle control reducing your symptoms.

You must learn to manage your stress. Exercise is helpful, but make time each day to pray or meditate.  Take time to count your blessings. Volunteer to help others. Nothing helps ease our own suffering better than focusing on the suffering of others. 

Educate yourself about your condition and make a commitment to reclaim your life. With appropriate medication and commitment to a healthy lifestyle, you can lead a happy, productive life working with your condition instead of against it.

ABOUT THE WRITER:
Jackie Randa is a physical therapist who owns Back on Track in Barstow. She can be contacted at jranda@aol.com