Understanding Fibromyalgia (or other chronic) Pain
by Marilyn Mackenzie
The National Fibromyalgia Association suggests that if you have a friend or relative who does not or cannot understand the pain you experience as a fibromyalgia sufferer, that you invite them to take the NFA Clothespin Challenge:
Here is how it works:
- Place a clothespin on your finger
- Set a timer for 30 minutes
- See how long you can bear the pain. Did you leave the clothespin on for 15 minutes? 10? 5?
- NOW. Imagine this pain forever... This should help you understand what it is like to live with constant pain - but people with FM can't just "remove" the pain the way you can remove that clothespin!
That does explain the constant pain, but it doesn't explain the different kinds of pain - the shooting pain and the throbbing pain. It doesn't explain the tingling, the feeling as if your limbs are on fire. It doesn't explain how it feels to even have your skin hurt - and not wanting anyone to touch you because you do hurt all over.
This exercise also does not cover the other things that often go along with having fibromyalgia - chronic fatigue, IBS, skin conditions, depression - and more! There's no mention in this short exercise about what it's like to have fibro fog.
Some folks use having the flu as example of what fibro patients face every day. I've had the flu, and I understand that comparison. But it's far worse than that.
And yet, we go on. And yet, we try to live "normal" lives.
Sometimes we have to "give up" and take the drugs that make us tired for days. Sometimes, we have to have some relief.
Do you have fibro? Or some other chronic pain condition? What's it like for you?
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Comments: 11
One day it will be a dull throbbing that makes it hard to do much.
The next day it will feel like someone has planted a blowtorch in my joints and just kept it burning.
And yet another day, it will feel like a sharp constant pain.
There are days when I can't even get out of bed (most of those days are the ones I'm either so out of it from painkillers that nothing gets done, or they are the days where I lay in bed on Gather all day using my laptop).
I have had 10 knee surgeries done (5 in each knee) and the doctors are now listing me as a medical anomaly. The cartilage in my body melts. This not only causes stiffness and pain, it also makes the bones grind against each other, causing even worse pain.
I'm so sorry to hear the pain you have to deal with, as well. :(
I will keep you in my prayers.
What I hate the most is the "sick" feeling I get. When I have that, I cannot function. Its definitely worse than the flu. I have been taking Lyrica and that helps with the sick feeling, Marilyn.
And its never the same two days in a row. Yesterday it was a sharp recurring pain in my upper arm. I took pain meds, rubbed it, nothing helped. Today its my hips. Its a constant struggle to remain hopeful. But we do it, dont we?
There is no sense in complaining...I look okay except fat, but my breathing is 1/2 the normal, I have damage to my feet and hands from diabetes...ah the list goes on and on..
But I am alive...I keep going...and I do the best I can. I have a scooter to use, a handicap sticker and a cane. I am grateful not to be in a nursing home.
Like the rest of the world, the people around me just don't seem to get it. I try to have a brave face but even when I discuss it people just don't get it.
At least my husband seems to be realizing some of what fibro is, but for years he had no clue.
I like this test.
After a two hour nap this evening, I've had my first taste of TMJ. The pain in my jaw - where the jaw bone connects to the skull - is some of the worst pain I've experienced in a while.
And so I wonder...what's next?
That's my whine for the day. FM sucks!