If you are struggling with chronic pain, you are not alone. Management of chronic pain is something that a significant percentage of New Jersey’s population is dealing with. You may not notice it on their face, but there might be a lot of pain behind a brave face.
For most people, chronic pain is something that stays with them their entire life. It is something that they are learning to live with instead of trying to treat it. But with experts like Jay M. Shah MD, you do not have to live with chronic pain.
Fortunately, there are various ways to treat chronic pain and reduce its symptoms. You can schedule a consultation with an expert to discuss your options. Meanwhile, here are some success stories of patients who were able to take control of their lives again.
Meet Beth Thorp
Beth Thorp is a 59-year-old woman who has lived with chronic pain for 18 years of her life. Her journey began with left-sided sciatica, which eventually spread to her lower back, neck, arms, and other body parts. While Beth took medication, she focused on lifestyle changes and resilience as well.
Beth’s coping plan involved low-impact exercises. Going on little walks and stretching helped with her symptoms. She emphasized the importance of good distractions and support groups. She started more hobbies, such as knitting and reading, and spent more quality time with her friends and family.
Beth outlines the challenges she faced during her journey. She narrated that people do not always understand that chronic pain is not always visible. She talked about how she would desire to be “normal” like others and enjoy activities like they do. However, she said, the greatest challenge was accidentally hurting her loved ones.
Beth emphasizes that managing chronic pain requires creativity, flexibility, and a sense of humor. With supportive friends and family, patients can lead fulfilling lives despite their pain.
Annie’s story
Annie’s story, narrated by a doctor in the hospital she was in, is particularly an inspiring one. When the doctor met Annie for the first time, they were in the emergency room for Crohn’s disease exacerbation.
Despite being in pain, Annie asked for the doctor’s help to apply some makeup. According to Annie, the day she stops putting on makeup and a good outfit is the day she finally gives up. And she would not let that happen. Even in the worst of conditions, Annie made sure to put effort into dressing up, which was her way of fighting her pain.
It is not that Annie’s determination to put on good clothes made her pain magically go away, but it helped her cope with it better. From her story, it is derivable that recovery is not always about pain management but about not letting pain define your whole life.
Colleen’s success story
Colleen’s story began when suddenly, her knee pain from an accident that she had when she was 16 became alive again. Despite extensive rehab and surgeries, the pain had returned. She consulted an orthopedic surgeon and tried various treatments, but none worked. Eventually, she underwent knee replacement surgery, but the pain returned with greater intensity after a while.
Even after all of these failures, Colleen was determined to improve. She joined a chronic pain rehab, which taught her how to manage her pain. She successfully pursued her education and continued to work. But then again, a new spinal pain forced me to resign. Finally, she underwent a successful surgery after almost losing her life.
Currently, Colleen is trying to get back into the workforce with an improved quality of life.
Get professional assistance
All of these patient stories had one thing in common– they did not have an attitude of giving up. Living with pain is difficult, but you have the ability to turn things around. Meet with a pain management expert in New Jersey today!