I suffer from chronic pain. There. I said it.
I’m 26 years old and I’ve been suffering from chronic back pain for the past two years. I’ve had back pain for 7 years but it didn’t become an everyday occurrence until 2013.
We all have issues we deal with. Whether it be depression, anxiety, everyday life struggles, pain, illness, disability – we all have SOMETHING.
I’m sure a lot of you are surprised. I don’t talk about my pain. I act like it’s not there (which upsets my boyfriend because I never rest!). But unfortunately it’s part of my daily life, so it’s time to share it.
As a dog mom, it definitely sucks to have such horrendous back pain. Just like anything, some days are better than others. I don’t let my back pain hinder my activity with my animals though. I still go on outings, attend agility class, take my babies to the park, go hiking and go on daily walks. If I let my back pain run my life, I wouldn’t have a life and my babies would never get exercise.
In case you haven’t noticed, Khloee and Wynston are my life priority.
But just because I am active, doesn’t mean I’m not in pain. In fact, when I do most activities, I’m in a ton of pain – I just hide it. Doctors had never been able to give me answers on what causes my pain until last year. By May 2014, I had enough. I ended up seeking out a chiropractor, hoping for some relief. I also get really bad pain down the lateral side of my right leg, so I thought maybe an adjustment would help. Well, it helped my leg but not my back, however, my chiropractor was finally able to give me answers.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction in my right hip. Wait, what? Basically, there is an alteration in the normal joint motion in the hip – that’s what causes such severe pain in my lower back, and when I sit too long, it causes the pain in my leg.
Well, at least I have answers. The cure and treatment? Extensive physical therapy, pain meds, support and braces, joint injections – two of which I currently utilize. I also get monthly massages. My chiropractor seems to think I was born with this issue and it’s just gotten worse as I’ve gotten older, but he doesn’t know for sure. I was in a bad car accident when I was 19, and that could have triggered it.
What bothers me more than the pain itself is that if I briefly mention my back pain (which I’ve learned not to do) people say “Well, have you tried working out and stretching?” Um, if you only KNEW what the real cause was, which I’m not going to sit here and explain to you because it’s just not worth it, you wouldn’t be asking me this. And no, those things don’t help because, well, they WON’T HELP! GRRRR.
It’s hard to deal with any mental or physical issue in daily life, especially when there’s not much you can do about it and people don’t understand. I know that my back pain doesn’t make me a lesser person, but I would give anything to live a pain free day. That’s not going to happen any time soon, so in the meantime, I wanted to share my story. Why? Because we are all human, and we all deal with things that are less than perfect.
The good news is, I will never let my pain effect how I take care of my dogs. I will not give into it because if I did, I’d probably be in bed all day. There are days where I need to take a nap, nights where I am up at 4am in pain or days that seem to be unbearable, but I keep plugging away for the sake of my sanity, my happiness and my kids!
Do you have a disability, illness, pain, or other ailments that can hinder your days sometimes? Don’t be afraid to share 🙂 This is a JUDGEMENT FREE zone!
Do you suffer from chronic pain? You’ll appreciate this fun article!
Andria says
Thank you for sharing this I’m sure it was difficult to put this out there to the world and be vulnerable. I think that it just goes to show how important your animals are to you and shows how strong of a person you are. We all have hurdles and mountains, but it is how we deal with them that really shows who we are.
Amanda says
You’re the best 🙂 It’s not always easy to deal with, but we all have to be strong and make it through somehow!
Laika says
I’ll hope your back will be better eventually, but until then, keep the good work with your clever dogs 🙂
Amanda says
I sure hope so! Thank you!
Andrea Lee Roundfield #citypupmom says
Who would have known? I too have physical issues along with a traumatic brain injury, from a car accident (TBI). So with that I also have menieres disease , nerve damage and fibromyalgia, I understand your pain all too well my dear.
Amanda says
Oh man, that’s horrible!!! It’s nice to have people to understand my pain. I never talk about it, but when I find people who truly understand, it’s such a relief.
Kathy Salzler says
I am another back pain sufferer with sciatica. I also have severe asthma. Unless a person has been in your same situation they can never understand what it is like to live in constant pain.
Amanda says
That’s so true, Kathy! I’m glad you understand what I go through. Hang in there!
Anne says
I’m so sorry you endure this – you are far too young! I also have this struggle – mine is rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease. I’m 44, and have already had 2 total hip joint replacements. I also get monthly IV infusions of a biologic med to hopefully slow the disease and take chemo pills, ugh. But, pain is just my “normal” now – and like you, I never talk about it. Ever. Because like you said, people will start saying “have you tried XYZ?” – usually it’s something like a change in my diet or whatever. Like I haven’t tried everything?! Anyway, sorry to go off there, lol – the point is – you are NOT alone, dear – I promise. And I admire your strength and courage, and what a fabulous doggie mommy you are! 🙂
Amanda says
Oh my goodness. I am so sorry for everything you have to deal with and go through. Pain is my normal now too, so unfortunately I can relate to that! I hate when people ask me “have you tried XYZ?” Are you serious? You think I WANT to be in pain? But if it means not talking about it, that’s what I’ll do. Hang in there and know that I am here for you also!
Anne says
Thanks so much, and hey – at least our pets don’t try to lecture us, right? LOL. Keep up the good fight – you are very inspiring. 🙂
Abby Chesnut says
I’m so proud of you for sharing this! I understand what you are going through when it comes to people suggesting things to help. I have chronic migraines and people suggest home remedies ALL THE TIME! I started blogging because I had stopped working and I thought it would be a good idea once I got stable on medicine. Now I’m trying to do more with my pups now that I am feeling a little bit better. Wishing you pain free days ahead!
Jessica Shipman | Beagles and Bargains says
Migraines are my big issue. I’ve learned to manage them and recognize the signs and triggers, so fortunately they don’t happen too often. But when they do, I am pretty much shut down for the entire day. It makes it difficult to go outside or be on the computer (which is tough for a software engineer AND blogger). I’m so thankful for my boyfriend who takes care of Luna when they happen and of course me!
Abby Chesnut says
-hugs- glad your boyfriend helps you out! Whenever mine is visiting he helps me tremendously. Otherwise the girls are fine snuggling up with me and going out to potty sparingly.
Carol says
Chronic pain stinks. Totally understand. I have osteoarthritis in the facet joints of my lumbar spine which causes muscle spasms in my lower back. But I refuse to stop! I’d love to know how massage works for you. I will not take meds unless the pain is unbearable. NSAIDS make me really irritable which is no way to live life. I’ve done PT which helped some. I continue those exercises on my own. I use essential oils which help some as well, but not as well for me as for some people. But in spite of the pain, I am active with our three dogs. I have to be. Not only do they deserve an active life, it’s too much fun to stop!!
Kathy Salzler says
Have you found anything special that helps your pain? Sometimes my lower back drives me insane.
Elaine says
I understand what you go through, as I, too, live with it daily. Some days i never get comfortable, some days I do a lot of standing, and I really wish there was a bed out there that was actually comfortable! But we must live our lives and to that you just keep moving, and just keep it to ourselves. I always say that ‘if I sit down, it’s all over!’
Amanda says
I’m the same way Elaine. Sitting in my office chair is the most comfortable for me. But some days, even that is painful for me. I just take it day by day because that’s all we can do. Hang in there <3