pain clinic

[SchroedingersCat]

The pain clinic I was offered was also 6 weeks during working hours, so I turned it down. It's almost as if the NHS assumes if you're suffering chronic pain, you won't be working. Ha!

[Brian]

[SchroedingersCat]

Plenty of us do, though. I can think of several friends with FM, ME, arthritis, EDS, or rheumatism who do still work, either full or part time.

[Brian]

[Zia2014]

I think it's sadly too common SC. it's the same with the support groups I've seen - all set up for non-workers. The only reason I'm not currently working is so I can attend all these appointments. Once they are done I will be looking for another job, but I am fortunate that I have a choice in that.

There are lots of people who can't attend due to work and the hours offered really should be changed so some is OOH. Think how many more could benefit...

It's not necessarily how bad you have it Brian, it can just depend on personal circumstances at the time. Some people have fibro very badly but work as they can't afford not to.

[dazzleship]

[Brian]

If you were that bad you couldn't work it doesn't matter how many bills you have to pay, I was only saying there is different levels as in everybody's different

[carolad]

[denys]

Pain is a perceived emotion, if looking at a scale of 1 to 10 and I said my pain was a 4 and you said yours was a 6 doesnt mean your pain is worse than mine its just what you perceive it to be.

We shouldnt talk about how 'bad' one persons condition is compared to another's as its just not fair to try to do that (as well as not being very supportive)

Its the same as working, some find they can push through as they will hurt whether they do a task or not, others (myself included) cant, doesnt really matter. Doesnt mean my condition is worse than theirs, it just means no matter how much I tried I couldnt do it and I applaud anyone who can.

[Brian]

[denys]

I know that Brian but people saying oh my pain is much worse than yours is of no benefit, I too loved my job and if I could have I would have kept pushing through but couldn't but who is to say that the bed bound persons pain is worse than the working person's It is a fact that pain is a perceived emotion. It cannot be measured so therefore cannot be compared

This is a very emotive subject, I am well aware how horrible it is to live off benefits, I do it myself. I was used to being able to afford nice things and took a heavy financial loss as many many of us have had to and that is why I salute those who still manage to drag themselves into a work place and perform any sort of work

[carolad]

I agree, it is impossible to compare people's experiences of pain...or fatigue, since these things are all so subjective. You know how it feels to you, but you can't convey your feelings to another person.

And you have to remember that the perception of pain is 'in your head'. Saying this always provokes a negative reaction because it implies you are just making it up, but that is definitely NOT what I mean! But pain does have an emotional side to it. I'm sure everyone has heard the stories of soldiers getting terrible injuries in a war situation but they don't feel pain at the time, due to the adrenalin rush and the determination to get the job done... And I'm sure we can also relate to the situation where if you are in pain and you concentrate wholly on that pain and think of how awful it is and how it is stopping you doing everything you enjoy, then the pain will seem even worse, you will get depressed about it, that will make the pain worse etc etc. But if you can lose yourself in an activity you enjoy, you stop thinking about the pain for a while and so it 'seems' less painful. This is why things like CBT and meditation are very helpful when dealing with chronic pain.

So pain is very complicated, it is tied up with your emotional state and you will have different levels of tolerance to pain at different times of your life. We can all agree though that pain is unpleasant and it can interfere with people's ability to live a 'normal' life. We all have pain, we all deal with it differently but we should try and be tolerant and supportive of others, whatever their personal circumstances.

Gentle hugs to you all

[SchroedingersCat]

Pain is a very funny thing indeed. I can have pain that makes me gasp for breath when I move, and still make it into work, I can have nagging all over pain that makes my body feel like it's made out of lead, and I'll still get to work. Give me a bad headache and I'm out.

[Zia2014]

I agree with Carol and denys, very well put.

Like SC, using myself as an example, I can be in agonising pain, dizziness, being sick or confused - I could still make it into work. However, two nights of no sleep and my exhaustion levels were through the roof. Having to drive to work and do a complicated/strategic role meant I would be off sick with those symptoms.

The thing with Fibro is it does vary, not only between people but by symptoms and by the hour. It is impossible to compare. And I feel a little sad to read a post like that on here, because we need the support and understanding of our Fibro Family - we have it hard enough from people without it!

It is a highly emotive subject and whilst I really sympathise Brian that you had to give up your job (and to anyone else who has), I do think fibro is still very misunderstood and confusing. Comparisons are never helpful, least of all with fibro.

[MPSGuy]