In June 2018, at the age of 24, I experienced a herniated disc in my cervical spine that resulted in severe spinal cord compression. By the time I received a diagnosis, the damage was extensive enough that surgery became my only option to prevent paralysis. Since that operation a year and a half ago, I have endured daily chronic pain, despite reassurances from my medical team that recovery would be swift.
My surgeon quickly became frustrated with my persistent pain after the procedure. After four months of expressing concerns post-surgery, I was told there was nothing more he could do. He recommended that I consult another surgeon and seek pain management alternatives. Essentially, I felt pushed aside, as if my pain was deemed less critical than that of his other patients. Emotionally, it was devastating to feel abandoned in my struggle.
Recently, my new surgeon informed me that my spine is beginning to show signs of healing. You might expect I would celebrate this news, but instead, I found myself in tears. The reality is that even with encouraging scans, my pain remains constant and unrelenting. Phrases like “your scans look fine” don’t provide the answers I desperately seek.
Living with chronic pain today often feels like shouting into a void. The uncomfortable truth is that we still don’t fully grasp why chronic pain affects some people more than others. Some medical professionals suggest that emotional trauma, isolation, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression could increase vulnerability to chronic pain. Others point to underlying diseases or nerve damage as contributors. For me, the nerve damage and inflammation post-surgery likely play significant roles in my ongoing pain, a scenario familiar to many in similar situations.
Despite the complexities of chronic pain, effective treatments remain limited. The opioid crisis has significantly restricted access to pain relief options, leaving many chronic pain sufferers, like myself, feeling sidelined. Just months after my surgery, my opioid dosage was cut by two-thirds within a week. A medication that previously helped me manage my mornings was expected to last through an entire day, worsening both my physical pain and mental health. I found myself grappling with suicidal thoughts and feelings of withdrawal. It felt as if I was being punished for expressing genuine pain.
It’s vital to recognize that the absence of clear causes or treatments doesn’t mean the 50 million chronic pain sufferers in the U.S. should be dismissed. Ignoring these realities only amplifies our suffering. Living with chronic pain often feels like an uphill battle; my insurance is uncooperative, and my healthcare providers rarely take the time to truly listen. I have faced judgment from nurses and hesitance from pharmacists, which only adds to the stigma surrounding my condition.
This widespread mistreatment of chronic pain patients reflects a profound mistrust that many of us experience. Regardless of whether people believe my pain is real, its intensity does not diminish. There are days when even simple tasks, like holding a phone or buttoning my shirt, become monumental challenges. My quality of life has plummeted, and I’ve gained considerable weight due to my reduced activity levels. The anxiety and depression stemming from my injury and the uncertainty of my pain frequently resurface. Being passed from one doctor to another without resolution only exacerbates my mental state.
While we may not yet comprehend the underlying causes of chronic pain, it’s crucial for the world to acknowledge its significant impacts. Ignoring chronic pain only deepens the suffering of those who live with it daily. For more insights on related topics, check out this blog post on home insemination or learn from experts at intracervicalinsemination.com and Cleveland Clinic.
In summary, the struggle with chronic pain is multifaceted, encompassing not only physical suffering but also emotional and psychological challenges. As we continue to seek understanding and solutions, it’s vital that we lend our voices to the conversation, ensuring that those of us affected feel seen and heard.