Pain Management Community

Hello.

I admire you for running despite chronic pain. It is interesting that while running you have no pain. Could be the endorphins produced by the activity.

Looks to me like you are managing your pain well. It may be just a matter of accepting what you can not change, doing something about what you can and gaining the wisdom to know the difference.

I do agree that many doctor do push narcotic drugs too quickly. They really do not know what else to do as spinal problems are so complex.

Keep as active as possible Keep doing your research. Keep a positive attitude.

I am not going to tell you to stop running. Rather, I think we should look at the running for clues on how you can better manage your pain since you feel better while running. First of all, I would point out that in my experience central pain, which comes from injury to the brain or spinal cord, is very challenging to manage and medications often are rather ineffective in treating it.

So back to the running. Some of the potential pain relieving benefits may come from the natural endorphins, distraction, mentally focusing on something like the road in front of you, being outdoors, socialization if you run with others, and positive neurotransmitters from the ego boost of doing something that you are really good at. There is a mind/body connection between you and your running that leaves you with a sense of well-being.

Since you can't run 24/7 like Forest Gump, you can look to other pursuits that you can do during the day that may have a similar benefit. Some examples to consider that I see as helpful include meditation, breathing exercises for flare-ups, yoga, and tai chi. Doing other activities that require mental focus may also help. Consider taking a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course for further education.

People like us MUST accept that we'll never again be the same. I know how it feels.because my chronic pain began at age 17. Fortunately for me, I worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for seven years. I worked on a daily basis with paraplegics and quadriplegics. At that point I realized that compared to them, I was very fortunate indeed. I could no longer play football. But I could sit, stand, walk and care for my bodily needs. My patients would never be able to do that. If these words mean nothing to you, then please visit your nearest Goodwill, long-term rehabilitation center or hospital. Then you'll agree with me that it is better to have limitaitons than to be paralyzed.

Finally, if you can still run, then you are NOT severely diabled. You are inconvenienced, or in pain, then so what? So are millions of us. Please don't take this the wrong way, but many of us, myself included, will never again be able to run, walk very far or even sit upright for more than a few minutes. I would KILL to be able to run again. If the price you have to pay is arm discomfort, then be happy that you can raise your arm, that you can sit, stand and walk. You don't want to hear this, but life is about much more than running, walking sitting, standing or anything physical. If you doubt this, read about President Franklin Roosevelt, or actor Christopher Reeves. I'm tying to be courteous, as you have requested. But you must also comprehend that all that it important about being human has nothing to do with what we can do physically. It's about what we can do mentally and emotionally.

I've been dealing with your problem for mroe than 40 years. I've had four failed spine surgeries, two pain clinic and countless other treatments. I have finally accepted my limitations. Before you reject this, put yourself in the body of a paraplegic or a quadriplegic. If you still feel that the world owes you something that no one else can have, then I can say no more. But I hope that one day you will discover that everything that's truly important to a human's concept of self worth is above the neck. If you;d like to discuss this further, I am at csw2@bex.net .