Chronic Pain in Motion Goes into Motion
My name is Joe, and I am a chronic pain patient; more specifically, I’m a Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CPRS) patient. My hope with this blog is to help other chronic pain patients by sharing my story, and perhaps something I’ve learned or been through will help another patient. I also hope other patients will share their stories so I and others may learn from them. Together, perhaps we can help each other improve our lives as we learn to live with and become functional while dealing with chronic pain.
My journey with chronic pain began July 23, 2003. I awoke that morning with a pain in my left shoulder and arm that I couldn’t imagine being worse, but unfortunately for me, it became much worse over the next several weeks and years. After some initial visits to a sports medicine clinic and an Emergency department, I was finally able to see a neurologist in September 2003 and finally had a diagnosis: Parsonage-Turner Syndrome, or brachial plexitis. For some reason, the nerves in my shoulder were consistently firing and sending a pain signal that radiated down my entire arm and into my hand, but I had experienced no recent injuries. I also had a great deal of pain and sensitivity in my left ribs; I couldn’t even lie on my left side. Over the next year, after trying multiple medications and utilizing both physical and occupational therapy three to four times a week, I was still in significant pain. It was around May or June of 2004 that my diagnosis evolved into CRPS, and I’ve lived with this ever since. However, what I have also managed to do since my pain began is to become functional again, graduate with an Associates in Science degree, and become a functional member of the working community again. All of this was possible through working with my doctors, adhering to the PT and OT regimen, a spinal cord stimulator in combination with various medications, and a lot of hard work by me and my wife.
What I’ve learned over the years since my pain started is that no one owes me my old life back, and that sometimes we have to reinvent ourselves based on our current circumstances in order to become functional again and to find happiness and fulfillment. This doesn’t mean we can’t still be who we are and enjoy some of our previous activities. However, it does mean that sometimes we have to admit to ourselves there may be things we previously enjoyed that we may have to give up or find new ways to enjoy. For instance, if you were an athlete and are now unable to compete, perhaps you can still find enjoyment in being around your sport of choice by coaching and mentoring others. Just because you might be unable to compete yourself doesn’t mean those competitive juices are gone, and perhaps you can fulfill these desires by helping others achieve their goals. There can be great rewards in watching others succeed and knowing you played a small part in their success.
This is the sentiment that has led to my desire to create this blog; so that I and others will have a venue to help others. In doing so, I believe we will also help ourselves by pushing the boundaries of what we are able to achieve while living with chronic pain. I hope you find the blog useful and informational as we embark on this journey together. And please, as always, be sure to ask your medical professional before attempting any of the suggestions you may read in this blog. Not every therapy or activity is right for every person, and your medical professional can help you determine what is right for you. Good luck with all your endeavors and hopefully we will soon be sharing stories of our adventures and successes.
