I think the problem often is with chronic conditions - including chronic pain - is that you may get told "well you've got it, you're always going to have it, so just pull yourself together and get on with it".
Nobody tells you how to get on with it - for example like chronic pain management courses, or long-term medical condition management. Such courses or people who can help you find ways to learn how to live with it are, like so many other resources, not available easily/quickly/cheaply/etc.
Full Version: Discussing Medical Matters On This Forum
Gosh what a bag off worms you have opened 
There are more people discusing whether we should discus than discussing.....mmm if that makes sense
Barium....What doctors do when patients die
There are more people discusing whether we should discus than discussing.....mmm if that makes sense
Barium....What doctors do when patients die
QUOTE(skylark @ Oct 29 2009, 08:52 AM) 
QUOTE(RoseRodent @ Oct 29 2009, 08:24 AM)
"you shouldn't let the pain get in the way of anything".
This isn't particularly in response to you, RoseRodent, but what you've said brought to mind something which a friend told me many years ago and it's always stuck in my mind. She was disabled through a chronic and very painful condition, and attended a two-week residential chronic pain management course. One of the things she learnt was that she was stuck with the pain for the rest of her life and nothing could alter that, so she could either try and do things and have the pain; or not do things and have the pain. Either way, she would have the pain. I'm recounting this not because I think it might be relevant to you, RoseRodent, because I'm sure you know this if you've had your condition for a long time, but the thought has been helpful to me not just in the medical sense but because it translates to so many different situations as well so I thought I'd share it.
If properly phrased and delivered it's good advice for a condition they have properly established to be untreatable. Sadly my friend was told this at her first appointment. She turned out to have rheumatoid arthritis, and there is a whole heck of a lot that can be done for her. If she'd followed their advice to grit her teeth and get on with it (alongside the completely contradictory "don't pick up your baby") she'd have been much cheaper for the NHS I am sure, but she'd have suffered for no reason. It's all about context, I suppose. Same as the hairdressing example, if you have already tried everything and nothing works then considering the idea of giving up (and understanding it's a bombshell to the patient and delivering it with according tact!!) is relevant, but not as an alternative to trying treatment.
QUOTE(RoseRodent @ Oct 29 2009, 09:49 AM)
QUOTE(skylark @ Oct 29 2009, 08:52 AM)
QUOTE(RoseRodent @ Oct 29 2009, 08:24 AM)
"you shouldn't let the pain get in the way of anything".
This isn't particularly in response to you, RoseRodent, but what you've said brought to mind something which a friend told me many years ago and it's always stuck in my mind. She was disabled through a chronic and very painful condition, and attended a two-week residential chronic pain management course. One of the things she learnt was that she was stuck with the pain for the rest of her life and nothing could alter that, so she could either try and do things and have the pain; or not do things and have the pain. Either way, she would have the pain. I'm recounting this not because I think it might be relevant to you, RoseRodent, because I'm sure you know this if you've had your condition for a long time, but the thought has been helpful to me not just in the medical sense but because it translates to so many different situations as well so I thought I'd share it.
If properly phrased and delivered it's good advice for a condition they have properly established to be untreatable. Sadly my friend was told this at her first appointment. She turned out to have rheumatoid arthritis, and there is a whole heck of a lot that can be done for her.
Yes, I think sadly too many people are written off, and particularly the elderly
Like any other profession, the medical profession has those who are diligent, caring and "go the extra mile", but it's particularly because of those who are at the other end of the spectrum that we all need to keep ourselves informed, whether it's through a forum or other sources. This is becoming even more important as resources become more concentrated. Fortunately in my friend's case, what was said to her was part of a larger treatment programme and it really changed her attitude towards her pain. It's changed my attitude in certain circumstances as well.QUOTE(barry-clari @ Oct 29 2009, 08:02 AM)
A pity
: I think wolfnotes had a lot to offer... D'oh, reading over the thread, I think Wolfnotes just took things personally when there was no malicious intent... come back, Wolfnotes!
QUOTE(Solari @ Oct 29 2009, 10:29 AM)
QUOTE(barry-clari @ Oct 29 2009, 08:02 AM)
A pity
: I think wolfnotes had a lot to offer... D'oh, reading over the thread, I think Wolfnotes just took things personally when there was no malicious intent... come back, Wolfnotes!
If you're reading this Wolfnotes - come back!
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