My name is Sharon. I am forty-four years old and I’ve found ways to deal with chronic pain. In 1999, my chronic pain was triggered by an adverse reaction to an antibiotic in the quinoline family of drugs. The antibiotic I was prescribed was Trovan. Within a few hours of taking Trovan, I knew something was terribly wrong. Around that time, I noticed in the local daily paper, Fresno Bee, that Trovan was removed by the FDA after people experienced serious side effects.
My eyes became extremely photosensitive and I could not see well enough to drive well on the freeway in California. I also broke out in hives. However, the nerve pain and neuropathy began about 6 weeks later. I woke up one morning and it was like an electric current soared through my entire body from head to toes. Since that time, I have had to find ways to deal with my chronic pain. After four to five years, the pain was about 98.9% gone and stayed gone for several years. Then, in December 2011, the pain came back again. I was dumbfounded and taken aback having had many years practically pain-free. So, here are ways I have managed to cope with the pain in my body.
- Hope – One must grasp on to hope and believe that one may improve and get better. Romans 5:5 is the Scripture helped sustain me.
- Rest - I created a nightly routine. It is difficult to fall asleep when one is experiencing severe pain. My routine became washing my face, turning on a soft salt light in my bedroom, putting on comfortable soft pajamas, and reading something that is positive. Sometimes I turn on soft music or soothing sounds – like the waves of the sea or wind chimes.
- Creative outlets – These allow one to focus on something other than the pain. To divert my attention away from my pain, I began to paint. Finding your personal creative outlet is important.
- Surround yourself with positive friends and colleagues – Support and understanding are very important. There are many misconception regarding chronic pain. Some people are sceptical of how debilitating chronic pain is because one may look completely healthy and fine, but underneath the exterior—one is suffering with serious pain.
These are some tips to try if you or someone you know may have chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than six months without really letting up that much.
Keep Hoping and Believing that your body will heal and get better. This as my personal motto.
Sharon Furrate
Business Development and Special Events Director
Arthritis Association of Louisiana (AAOLA)
Email me at Sharonfur@yahoo.com
225-954-7991
I am also an artist and a columnist for Townfavorites magazine.
Please take time to read Murphy’s recent post about the Holding Cross developed by the AAOLA. It’s purpose is to provide comfort and hope to all who struggle with any sort of pain—be it emotional, spiritual, or physical.
