Showing posts with label pain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pain. Show all posts

Monday

Fibromyalgia pain

Find out all about the pain of fibromyalgia. 

Pain all over the body is the hallmark symptom of fibromyalgia but are so many different kinds of pain experienced by someone with fibro from allodynia to raynaud's... Find out more about them here. 

Just click on the links below to be taken to the article of your choice. 

Many fibro bloggers are sharing their articles here about their own personal experiences with pain and what has helped them.

pain in fibromyagia blog posts


Laughter and pain

 
Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects. ~ Arnold H. Glasgow
Laughter is a powerful antidote to pain. Time and time again it has been shown that the old adage Laughter is The Best Medicine really has a grounding in the truth.

One possible explanation could be that humor activates the release of endorphins and relieves muscular tension.  This means it has an effect on pain both a mentally and physically.
"...humor helps to reflect pain, thus helping both the patients as well as their carers to deal better with stress," said Professor Willibald Ruch, Zurich University. "Humor can be used specifically as a cognitive technique, for example in terms of a distraction to control the pain and increase pain tolerance."
The idea that laughter reduces pain is not new. Dr. James Walsh, an American physician, noted in his 1928 book, Laughter and Health, that laughter appeared to reduce the level of pain experienced following surgery.
More recently research has found that people who had recently experienced belly laughs were able to withstand up to 10% more pain than they had done before watching comedy videos.
Professor Robin Dunbar of Oxford University, who led the research, believes that uncontrollable laughter releases chemicals called endorphins into the body which, as well as generating mild euphoria, also dull pain.
The ability to have a really good belly laugh is unique to humans. Apes can laugh but only humans can guffaw. 
"It's exactly what happens when we say 'I laughed until it hurt'. It seems to be extremely painful and it's that pain that produces the endorphin effect." Professor Robin Dunbar.

Now I'm not saying that the following jokes will send you into wild guffaws but maybe they are just a humorous distraction for a few minutes. 

Also I am collecting all the chronic illness/ fibromyalgia humor I can find on a Pinterest board called Fibro Funny

Don't forget to share your on Fibro humor on Twitter every Monday with the hashtag #FunnyFibro to be shared to over 10,000 Fibromyalgia people. 


Fibromyalgia humor

Fibromyalgia humor

Fibromyalgia humor

Fibromyalgia humor



Fibromyalgia humor


Fibromyalgia humor

Funny fibro joke about fatigue


Tuesday

Pain Awareness Month

Pain Awareness Month
As September is Pain Awareness Month and 100% of people with Fibromyalgia experience pain, I thought it was fitting to share quotes about pain and specifically chronic pain. 

Chronic pain is considered to be any pain that lasts for 3 months or longer and that is definitely the case in Fibro. 

Chronic pain is widely believed to represent disease itself. It can be made much worse by environmental and psychological factors. Chronic pain persists over a longer period of time than acute pain and is resistant to most medical treatments. It can—and often does—cause severe problems for patients. NINDS

“Of pain you could wish only one thing: that it should stop. Nothing in the world was so bad as physical pain. In the face of pain there are no heroes.” George Orwell, 1984


chronic pain quote
“I'm in pain all the time,' I said, 'and if I gave into it then I'd do nothing.” 
Bernard Cornwell, The Empty Throne

chronic pain quote

“If I only could explain 
How much I miss
that precious moment 
when I was free
from the shackles of chronic pain.” 
Jenni Johanna Toivonen

chronic pain quote

chronic pain quote




“The erosion of an effective patient-physician relationship has no place when dealing with chronic pain. Worst of all, dismissing the patient's pain is as devastating as crushing a patient's hope.” 
― Melissa Cady, Paindemic: A Practical and Holistic Look at Chronic Pain


Please feel free to share these quotes and images. 

Wednesday

How to deal with a fibro flare


How to deal with a fibro flare

The first time you get a fibro flare it can be scary. You are going along in your day to day life trying to cope with your fibro symptoms of fatigue, pain, brain fog, sleep problems etc etc and suddenly you feel like you have been run over by a bus. It's a flare!

At first you wonder if it was something you did, or some extra stress or even an extra illness rearing it's ugly head... but you need to know that this shall pass. 

In the meantime here are some great articles from the fibro bloggers here at the directory all of whom have experienced fibro flares. These are articles that will help you cope with a fibro flare: 

Friday

Blogging prompt: Pain perceptions

Fibromyalgia blogging prompt
"We can’t escape pain; we can’t escape the essential nature of our lives. But we do have a choice. We can give in and relent, or we can fight, persevere, and create a life worth living, a noble life. Pain is a fact; our evaluation of it is a choice.” ~ Jacob Held


Hopefully this quote may inspire your blogging whatever aspect of it resonates with you - choosing, giving in, the relentless dance with pain, the choices we all have, how you create a life for yourself with chronic illness and what it looks like now. These are all universal topics that will be of interest to a wider population and could open your blog up to a larger audience.

If you do write about this topic or use the image quote (please feel free to use it) let me know here in comments so we can all visit and read what you have written.
Best blogging wishes to you from Lee.

Saturday

What have you read that has helped you with pain?

What books have you read that have helped you with your pain?

“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive.”
― James Baldwin  (1924 - 1987) American writer.

What books have you read that have helped you with your pain?

Monday

Join in for Pain Awareness Month at Fibro Bloggers

pain awareness month
 
 
Hi everyone,
In September you can join in with Fibro Bloggers Directory on promoting understanding of pain that people with fibromyalgia experience.
 
If you have a post about pain please share it here (in comments) so we can compile it into a resource for everyone to understand the types of fibro pain that exist.
 
On twitter you can share your tweets about pain under #fibropain or you can retweet our tweets.
 
On facebook, tumblr we have picture quotes that you can share and use in your posts. 
 
On pinterest we have fibro boards already and have started a new one called Pain Awareness. This is a community board which means you can post there. Please have a look.
 
We hope you are inspired to help others so they can get real stories about fibro pain from real people.


I measure every grief I meet

I measure every grief I meet by Emily Dickinson
Daguerreotype of the poet Emily Dickinson, taken circa 1848.

I measure every grief I meet
   With analytic eyes;
I wonder if it weighs like mine,
   Or has an easier size.

I wonder if they bore it long,
   Or did it just begin?
I could not tell the date of mine,
   It feels so old a pain.

I wonder if it hurts to live,
   And if they have to try,
And whether, could they choose between,
   They would not rather die.

I wonder if when years have piled--
   Some thousands--on the cause
Of early hurt, if such a lapse
   Could give them any pause;

Or would they go on aching still
   Through centuries above,
Enlightened to a larger pain
   By contrast with the love.

Part of Emily Dickinson's poem.

In this poem  Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886) is exploring and measuring the nature of human suffering. She is presenting it to the world, and giving others comfort in being part of a community of affliction. 

The poem reveals the strength that those people must possess in order to overcome the demanding nature of suffering whether it is grief, pain, depression, heartache, difficulty or disease.

Read some Poetry by people with chronic pain and fibromyalgia

Friday

Poetry by people with chronic pain and fibro

Poetry by people with chronic pain and fibro

We live with so many strong feelings when we have chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia. Writing poetry and pouring out our emotions onto the page can be very therapeutic.  It also leaves something that other people can relate to and find connection and comfort in. We hope that you can find some solace here amongst the many pain-related poems. 

Kim from I Tripped Over a Stone wrote this poem of strength to Fibromyalgia. Please visit her blog for more of her Fibro journey told from her heart. 

Poetry by people with chronic pain and fibro


Fighting Fibromyalgia shared the poem below about Fibromyalgia asking for understanding. Please visit her blog for uplifting quotes and to read the poem clearly.

Poetry about pain

Nikki at Brainless Blogger wrote 'It Took' about Fibromyalgia. (below) She has written other poems which you can read at her blog.

Poetry by people with  fibro


A LOOK INTO THE MIRROR by Suzanne at Fibro Mom Blog

I look into the mirror and I wonder
I remember who you used to be
Are you still the same?  
I look into the mirror and I wonder
Do you still want the same things?
Are you still the same?
I look into the mirror and I wonder
Are you still motivated and ambitious?
I remember that you used to be
Are you still the same?
I look into the mirror and I wonder
Is this the same person that walked a half marathon?
I remember when you did that
Are you still the same?
I look into the mirror and I know
The pain has changed you but…
You are still the same
You are still caring and loving
You are still passionate and giving
You are still ambitious and productive
I look into the mirror and I see you
Not Fibromyalgia! 

Here is just a part of Valda's:

The loneliness of this disease
just claws within my soul
and makes my pain so much to bear --
a mean and nasty foe.

But the wisdom of those simple words
console me through tough times
and soar within my soul like birds
with love and joy divine!
Visit her site to read the whole beautiful poem.

And part of the poem that inspired this post:

Isn’t it strange, how nature makes you forget,
That terrible pain you have and continually get.
It comes in waves when you least expect it,
And you think, please stop now and give me a rest for a bit.
Read the rest at Back Pain Blog



Don't Tell Me that you understand, a poem by Joanetta Hendel


Don't tell me that you understand
Don't tell me that you know,
Don't tell me that I will survive
Or how I will surely grow.

Don't tell me that this is just a test
That I am truly blessed
That I am chosen for this task
Apart from all the rest.

Don't come at me with answers
That can only come from me,
Don't tell me how my grief will pass,
That I will soon be free.

Don't stand in pious judgment
Of the bounds I must untie,
Don't tell me how to suffer
And don't tell me how to cry!

My life is filled with selfishness,
My pain is all I see,
But, I need you now,
I need your love, unconditionally.

Accept me in my ups and downs,
I need someone to share,
Just hold my hand and let me cry,
And say, "My friend, I care."


Poetry by people with chronic pain and fibromyalgia
Shared by Pain Fighter at Fighting Fibromyalgia


Poetry by people with chronic pain and fibro

Pain has an element of blank by Emily Dickinson


Pain poetry


POEM: MIRRORED EXPRESSION


My face has changed; my expression bare.

This is my pain, that so many share. 
The smiles and joy that I once knew so well. 
Have vanished before me; a living hell. 

I see those who are active and those who can dance.

I want those happy moments. I need hopeful plans.
But when I look in the mirror, all I can see
Is fatigue in my eyes, and a frown before me.

Oh I try to push through. I can act for a bit.

But my body still hurts, and my mind is still wrecked.
And now and again I feel a bit better
But I’m tricked in believing my pain has been severed.

The next day I wake, in the middle of the night.

The pain is back in full, it’s a horrible fright. 
So I lay there hoping my mind will shut down.
And pray it’s a dream. When I wake I’ll be found.

It’s just not fair that so many live

While I suffer in silence with nothing to give. 
And despair comes a calling; it thinks it’s a friend.
But I hate it and so want her visits to end. 

I know people all struggle, they mirror my pain.

They mirror my expression, and that keeps me sane.
Not that others can suffer and deeply as I
but, that others can understand my longings and sighs.

So I look in the mirror, and I put on a smile

I’m going to fight this for more than awhile. 
I’m going to see in the mirror, my beauty that shines.
I must let it out, my hopes must not hide.

It’s a daily battle of wills for my life

So it’s round one today, I’m up for the fight.
I will kick and scream into the night.
I will keep my eyes fixed on the light. 

May others who see my reflection this year


See my expression but, not see my fear. 

My I find those who suffer, may we all stand as one.
And may this damn illness not burn out my fun.

All I ask is a moment, when life feels the same.

As I longingly recall, when I knew not this pain.
My Faith will protect me, my friends will be there.
And we will share with each other, how we all care.

I will look in this mirror, and change things around.

Amidst all this pain, no despair shall be found. 
Each day I’ll renew, this promise to me
And that in itself will keep my hope free.

Douglas W. Koehler ©2014 All Rights Reserved.





My bones are getting old and tired
And worn out oh so fast
I’m only 56 years old
I thought these bones would last

But no, they’re breaking far too quick
So what’s a girl to do
But drink her milk and take B12
And other vitamins too

Instead of staying up all night
I go to bed at nine
No more a shot of whiskey
Metamucil does just fine

I wheeze through my aerobics class
I huff going up the stairs
I worry about incontinence
And wear Depends in pairs

It’s too late now, but I sure wish
I’d purchased stock in Tums
I’d think about how rich I’d be
Each time the heartburn comes

I hear my doctor bought a boat
From what he’s earned off me
He named her Patient Pamela
And took her out to sea

I hope these bones decide to last
At least a few more years
Although they snap and crackle and pop
And leave me often in tears

There still so much I want to do
So hang in there, bones of mine
I’ll lie for you when people ask
And say, I’m feeling fine

I’ll eat the veggies, drink the milk
I’ll pop the B12 too
Just to keep you bones around awhile
For I’m rather fond of you!


From Pamela Jessen of There Is Always Hope 
and originally shared on The Mighty.


A Spoonie Shower

A journey needs to be made
the need is undeniable but yet is put off able:
It’s such a long way to go and so many spoons to use
for what? Some temporary respite from the endless
spite of hyperhidrosis, must I? But I do.

Each pealed off layer of clothing
exposes new layers of exhaustion
and yes this very act of preparation
causes my pores to flow, ironic I know!

As I step into the flowing water
my eyes briefly close, a mistake
because my balance goes.
This jolt of reality triggers a reflex
my hand finds the railing where it grabs hold.

With my eyes open but unseeing
my mind departs and travels abroad.
The sensation of a rainforest transports me
tropically scented gel gives pleasure to the nasal cavities
as it travels to destinations within reach.

For a few fleeting moments,
I give in to the deluge.
The water washes away all doubt
why did I delay this for so long?
For the shortest minutes, I’ve vacated a Fibro life.

But then awareness prickles my joints
 as the familiar ache resumes tenure
and the moment is passed.
I must leave the enclosure and
my life resume.

So begins the chores of swaddling,
futilely rubbing at the moisture
as the cleansing waters of verticle bathing depart
so a sensation arrives on my forehead, newly wet
hyperhidrosis glows as if gloating
you have me if you wanted to get wet!

From Susan Pearson at Living Creatively with Fibro



MONSTERS
I do not recognise myself standing in the many shadows of you.
You, towering, all-consuming, ever present but hidden away, in plain sight.
Yet I feel you in every part of me. Trying to become me.
Not all monsters lurk like you.
Once awakened, you thrive, clamour, steal, reverberate …through the length and breath of my mortal body, 
Silently leaving deadly, indelible traces of your mark, like on a cracked egg, ready to fall apart,
any, anytime now, but still holding itself together as the lines spread and spread,
Until I am finally broken.
Your crack lines emerge in places impossible. 
From earthen shell to the soul and heartland of me.
Breaking, smashing, pillaging anything and everything, until I am nothing of my former self; nothing of possible Me(s).
But even broken things can be beautiful. 
With floods of tears and streams of blood I shall, I shall put me back together again.
I emerge not the ‘Me’ that once was, was to be or had been imagined with dreams for the future.

I rise as someone, something else entirely–Pained but persevering. Flawed but fluid. Broken but beautiful and believing that I shall conquer.
I am and will be the ‘Me’ that never was imagined.
I am the ‘Me’ that’s emerged from the ashes of pain.
I will not fit your cardboard cutouts or your nicely stenciled stereotypes.
And I am not sorry.
To survive, I change. Constantly. 
As the monster morphs so will I – imperfect still, but ready to give bloody hell in all battles to come.
Written by Alisha at The Invisible F 


Rumi poem about pain


Have you written a pain poem? Why not add the link here in comments so it can be included here. It's also a great idea for a heartfelt unique post.


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