Contributed by: Sue Reviewed by: Kevin L. Zacharoff, MD, February 2013 When you’re hurting physically or emotionally, it can be hard to find meaning and purpose in everyday life. You might ask yourself, “Why me? Why now? There’s so much I want to do, but the pain is all I can think about.” Meet Sue. She’s… Read more »
Emotional Coping Skills
Don’t let flare-ups be a pain!
Contributed by: Sandy Reviewed by: Wendy Williams, BSN, M.Ed., August 2012 Sandy says: “I am an author, a wife, mother of three, grandmother of four, at the beck and call to one dog and two cats, friend, author, wellness & lifestyle coach, facilitator for a wellness support group, collector of frogs, maker of chocolate candy,… Read more »
Searching for a support system
Contributed by: Kelly Reviewed by: Evelyn Corsini, MSW, January 2010 Kelly has a wife and family but needs more support for his chronic pain. I would love to see some information on Chronic Pain and the support system. I am talking about how effective a good support system is to a person with chronic… Read more »
There should be no shame in being prescribed medication to ease our pain and suffering
Contributed by: Diane S. Reviewed by: Kevin Zacharoff, MD Diane is a 63-year-old grandmother who is prescribed pain medication to manage nerve pain in her back. I would like to submit this article to painACTION about how those of us who do take pain medications of the opiate type and have found pain relief, are… Read more »
I have a dream
Contributed by: Cindy Steinberg Reviewed by: Kevin Zacharoff, MD Cindy Steinberg is the American Pain Foundation’s (APF) Pain Community Council representative to the Board of Directors, the Power Over Pain Action Network Leader for Massachusetts, New England Director of the American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA), Leader of the Boston-area Chapter of the ACPA, and… Read more »
What I do when I’m depressed
Contributed by: Suzie Reviewed by: Evelyn Corsini, MSW, May, 2009 Depression often goes hand in hand with pain. A person with chronic pain becomes isolated from others. To cope with depression I take my camera and get out for a walk or just a drive. I look for subjects or objects to capture on digital…. Read more »
Myth: If you cannot see the pain, it must not exist
Contributed by: Marsha Reviewed by: Evelyn Corsini, MSW, May, 2009 Pain cannot be seen. It cannot be touched. You cannot smell it. It is an invisible disability that I, myself have suffered in silence for the past 9 years. When I was pregnant with my youngest daughter, I was paralyzed from the waist down from… Read more »
Be kind to yourself
Contributed by: Robin B. Reviewed by: Evelyn Corsini, MSW, November 2008 I had fusion surgery at age 37 from T-2 – T-12 due to Scoliosis (curved spine) and chronic pain. I am still left with chronic pain to manage due to muscle atrophy, scoliosis, nerve damage scar tissue and multiple fusions. Daily anti-seizure medication for… Read more »
