Dealing with Chronic Pain at the Age of 33

As a child, I can vividly recall older family members and relatives griping about the perils and pitfalls of growing old. Most of their complaints seemed to center on the aches and pains of growing old; the arthritis and the bursitis and the various joints in their bodies that would flare up and act up in some way or another. I can remember thinking that getting old must really suck! However, as I can recall thinking during my childhood, I have years and years and years to go before I officially become an "old person," so I don't have to worry about any of those aches and pains and maladies of old age. Well, I'm not an old person yet, but somebody forgot to tell my body that, because I am all too familiar with what physical pain is, and I don't like it very much!

For the last three years or so, I have been dealing with a painful hip and a painful back. Being that I am only 33 years of age, it's very frustrating having to deal with ongoing physical pain at such a young age. As a result, I have a new found respect and empathy for those folks - young or old - who are dealing with ongoing, chronic pain. Dealing with a chronic pain condition is a lot like having a thorn stuck in your side; it's always there, throbbing, poking, and announcing its presence. When you are in pain on a daily basis, life tends to take on a more dark, dreary tone; the sky doesn't seem as blue, the flowers don't smell as sweet, and the chirping of the birds seems more like noise pollution than music to my ears. The connection between mind, body and spirit seems to be highlighted and magnified when one is in physical pain; pain influences how you feel, how you feel influences how you think, and how you think influences how you act. On good days, when my pain is not bad, the world seems so much brighter and happier; a brief reprieve from my normal sentence.

Aside from the usual remedies for pain - medications, injections, physcial therapy - I have found that just talking about my pain and the impact that it has on my life is of great value to me, both spiritually and cathartically. I have a behavioral therapist that I have been seeing once every week who has been of tremendous help to me. In addition to some other problems that I am working through, being able to openly discuss my pain and the associated anger, frustration, and feelings of hopelessness that I routinely feel has been extremely valuable. Many times, when a person is sick or injured or hurting in some way, it's common for that person to want to withdraw from life; to recede into the background and to feel overwhelmed. The simple act of talking and forcing yourself to open up to others is a simple yet effective way to help manage the many conflicting feelings that can occur when dealing with a chronic pain condition.

Aside from talk therapy, I highly recommend doing as much research as you can into finding alternate methods of treatment for whatever condition that is causing your chronic pain. You would be surprised as to how many various treatments - surgeries, alternative therapies, medications, acupuncture, - exist for people battling chronic pain. If necessary, inquire about seeking evaluations from other doctors or from other specialists who might be more up-to-date or well-versed in treating your particular problem. The internet is a valuable tool that you can use to find help. I belong to a few internet message boards that are designed for people to discuss with other people all over the world their particular conditions, treatments, recommendations, e.t.c. You would be amazed at the information that can be found on many of these sites. I have personally conversed with numerous people that I have met online who have the same types of problems that I do, and I have learned a lot in terms of treatment options and the effects of various forms of treatments.

Being in pain is no fun. Chronic pain is a pain that is an ongoing aspect of your life. It does more than just hurt physically; it hurts mentally and spiritually as well. By exploring your options and by taking an active role in your treatment, you greatly increase your chances of attaining a virtually pain-free existence.