-- Dear Jo,I am a little like you I think. Well besides being a fellow aussie.... :) I have always been one to bite my lip, grin and make out like everything is better than it is. Put on a happy face and all that jazz. Over the years people have depended on my strength and I have gotten used to hiding pain etc from people who worry continuosly about me.
I have been sick since I was 6 years old. Over the years I have had quite a few surgeries and medical problems, which continue today. I can see we are both veterans where pain and medical history is concerned.
Mine started out as Ulcerative Colitis, went too total colectomy--> associated problems-->hysterectomy--> associated problems-->Right ovary removed due to complications(adhesions and cyst)-->3 months later left ovary removed for adhesions--> associated problems and now I get continuing problems such as small intestinal blockages, bad adhesion pain etc etc with the additive of have arthritis amongst other things.
At first I started taking low pain relief doses to take the edge off. As we all know that the pain can really start to take over. Then over time and a history of needing narcotics etc my tolerance to these pain meds was high. Eventually they had me on stronger doses and I was still suffering a great deal of pain. The crunch came when the pain management doctor strongly suggested I get a morphine pump.
I, like everyone else have my really bad days here and there and will lie down and breath, I listen to the sound of my breathing, really focus on it. I personally have found gently rubbing my abdomen in a circular motion (as a pregnant woman might do), and thinking of stuff I have planned for the next day, weekend etc I can overcome it for the most part.
Don't get me wrong I am not totally pain relief free. On the odd occassion nothing has worked and I have taken a morphine tablet or drunk some of that vile morphine liquid. I found my emotions were more unstable and things seemed to effect me alot more when I was taking regular pain relief also. I think what turned it all around was the fact that I have dealt with so much in the past and aknowledge I will have to do so in the future. I have survived and came this far, I will beat the pain and whatever else is thrown at me as well :)
Hope this is understandable :) Thank you I am having a great day, may you be also! Oh i am 28, married to a wonderful man and no children.
Take Care -Mandii