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Llano writes:

Pain is personal, so how do I deal with it?

Hello, my name is Llano, and I deal with pain 24/7.  I have something called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) or RSD.  In a nut shell… it means I had an accident and now my nerves will not shut off.  I’ve had it for close to 15 years and there is no cure.

With everyone, your pain is personal.  I hate it when the chronic pain clinics, doctors or physical therapists ask you, “Between 1 and 10, rate your pain level.”  Once in a while would be ok, but not every 15 or 30 minutes.  With me, it hurts more because then I have to acknowledge that pain by rating it.

Over the years I have come to some conclusions about my pain - neither right nor wrong, just conclusions for me.

1.  I have pain – it’s not in my “head.”  Not everyone understands this, but I know it, and that’s all that matters.

2.  I can be a victim or I can contribute and move forward in life.  I have pain, but what am I going to do about it?  No one else can take on my pain, so I must learn to deal with it.

3. I have pain, so let me make nice and become friends with it.  If I fight with it, I can really hurt myself.  I set my lmits.  I’m still dealing with this… it’s hard to relax, but I must.

4.  Help others and your pain will not seem so bad.  Care about those around you, help those that need your help.  It takes your mind off of “you,” and you realize that you’re not the only one going through this.

5.   Be determined to smile, even when you don’t want to.

If this helps you come to some conclusions in your own journey, please pass your knowledge along to others.  It only takes one person to make a difference in the world, why not you? Thanks for reading this.  I hope it helps.

Thanks, Llano, for submitting some of your story.  - How to Cope with Pain.

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