Dealing with Stress and Pain
Got stress? We’re sure you do. After all, it’s a natural, normal force that affects everyone. Whether it’s the result of life events that are beyond your control, or just an overwhelming build up of daily hassles, stress can sometimes feel like a destructive and inescapable force. Here are some tips on how to handle it:
- Identify specific stressors in your life (i.e., those events that cause you to become "stressed").
- Decide if the stressors are things you have some control over or if they are beyond your control. Focus on what you can control and try to turn stress into energy that can be directed toward growth, possibility and change.
- Learn to live with what you cannot control. (If you try to control what you can't possibly control, you will become overwhelmed and frustrated).
- Use healthy and positive coping techniques when a stressor is beyond your control.
- Practice relaxation techniques, including taking walks, deep breathing, listening to music and other personal coping skills you can rely on in times of stress.
- Be an active part of a social support network; give support when you can and don't be afraid to ask for support when you need it.
- Keep your sense of humor!
- “Let it go."
Reducing stress and adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors will help you feel better both mentally and physically. For more information, check out our
Pain and Mental Health section.
TIME POSTED: 05/08/09 01:47 PM [Mountain Time]
Louise Jolly, at 08/12/10 03:54 PM [Mountain Time] said:
| I've been living with chronic pain now for six years and am totally housebound. I was severely injured on my job in Aug of 2004. I have two herniated discs at L4-5 and S-1, a 'tear' in the annulus and my right S.I. joint is unstable causing me to fall many times a month. I cannot sit or stand for more than 15-20 minutes at a time and can only walk about 20 feet before having to sit down on my walker.
I've had needles in my spine; been to many physiotherapists, tried hydro-therapy, have seen neurosurgeons who say I'm not a candidate for surgery. I've been to 7 different pain clinics and no one has been able to help me.
The pain in my lower back is horrible and I take large doses of narcotics each day just to deal with the pain which severely increases my stress.
I don't know what to do now. My house has become my prison.
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Lori Santillana, at 07/22/10 02:01 PM [Mountain Time] said:
| I found and posted the folling "things to remember" from another site and it helps me to stay focused:
1) Share your story
2) Never give up
3) Fight for it
4) Take one day at a time
5) Stay focused
6) Accept the challenge and take action
7) Set Goals
8) Believe in yourself
9) Visualize success
These 9 "rules" help me and are posted at my desk so I can see them any time I get discouraged. I am blessed to be able to work from my company from home as a telecommuter. If I had to be in an office, I am pretty sure I would not still be employed. This site is wonderful, easy to use, with great resources. The blog is the best. Hang in there and share that story!
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Lori Santillana, at 07/22/10 01:57 PM [Mountain Time] said:
| Find what I call a "pain buddy". I have one and we email every few days or call. I have been on my pain journey 15 years, she has been on hers longer. Our pain is similar and we have different backgrounds but there are some huge differences in our pain and experiences that help us to help eachother. Since she has been down the pain management road longer than I have and has access to larger and more diverse pain clinics, having her advise me as to what could come next, what questions to even ask and what to expect from certain procedures or treatments from a patient's perspective has been the greatest help I have found so far. Her encouragement and advice has been fabulous. I have also been able to help her with thoughts and encouragement if not experience. Get a "Pain Buddy" and your journey will be much more bearable. Someone who has been there or who is just starting who you can help. The "buddy" road runs both ways and you both gain benefit. | |
Sandra Brown, at 06/30/10 09:36 AM [Mountain Time] said:
| I am finally after 20months of pain starting to accept this situation and not look for the magic bullet. WOuld love and "pen pal" or understand better this open forum as a support group to get positive feed back,more information on the best ways to deal with chronic pain. I'm still going in circles with what treatments..how to get to a good attitude and wanting that lovely word..hope. I want to cope with all I have..but not run to every treatment out there. I accept this but really want to get connected to others...thank you |  |
Joy Szczepanski, at 02/25/10 07:23 AM [Mountain Time] said:
| I am recovering from Shingles and I was on the phone with my mortgage company yesterday and boy did the pain in my head started but it was a all day pain I just wish there was someone that could help us all with stress and pain management - |  |
Sarah Prior, at 10/08/09 11:32 AM [Mountain Time] said:
| Last year I was diagnosed with bi-lat tennis elbow, and runners knee. The tennis elbow will not heal, with therapy or rest. Keeps me up at night, I feel like I can no longer do things I need to do to even run my own house let alone work, which my doc will not let me do. I recently found out I am going to develop Glaucoma and have to get eyes checked every 6 months to a year. I am also high risk for cervical cancer and have to be checked often and play a wait and see with that. I am only 27 and have not even started having my own kids yet. I feel stupid saying hey I have tennis elbow.. but it hurts and causes stress because I can not do things the way I used to, which causes migraines which then causes more pain; making it so I can not stop taking meds that help with the migraines, and the meds make it so I shouldn't get pregnant. I feel like I am stuck in a circle of pain that I shouldn't have. Even my own doc says I shouldn't tennis elbow at my age. Sorry for those of you who suffer so badly with pain that is worse than mine. I do not know how you cope. I hope some day I can cope as well as you. |  |
Sarah Prior, at 10/08/09 11:28 AM [Mountain Time] said:
| Last year I was diagnosed with bi-lat tennis elbow, and runners knee. The tennis elbow will not heal, with therapy or rest. Keeps me up at night, I feel like I can no longer do things I need to do to even run my own house let alone work, which my doc will not let me do. I recently found out I am going to develop Glaucoma and have to get eyes checked every 6 months to a year. I am also high risk for cervical cancer and have to be checked often and play a wait and see with that. I am only 27 and have not even started having my own kids yet. I feel stupid saying hey I have tennis elbow.. but it hurts and causes stress because I can not do things the way I used to, which causes migraines which then causes more pain; making it so I can not stop taking meds that help with the migraines, and the meds make it so I shouldn't get pregnant. I feel like I am stuck in a circle of pain that I shouldn't have. Even my own doc says I shouldn't tennis elbow at my age. Sorry for those of you who suffer so badly with pain that is worse than mine. I do not know how you cope. I hope some day I can cope as well as you. | |
Nora Hansen, at 10/02/09 01:05 PM [Mountain Time] said:
| I live with chronic pain everyday, from Fibro. and knee/femur injury. I have found that working with a pain clinic is the way to go. They put me on oxycotin, lyrica and cymbalta and have found great relief with these drugs. I also receive cortizone injestions for my tigger points and it really works for me. I am looking for a support group for people in pain. Anyone? I live in Saint Paul, MN |  |
Claudine Indelicato, at 09/07/09 08:40 PM [Mountain Time] said:
| To: Ali Sweeney:
First of all,hang in there girl.
Second, get lots of info. before making any
firm decisions.
Research large centers; see what services they offer; like surgery vs other modalities.
As far as the pain clinic; many make money by
doing procedures,i.e. steroid injections.
Make sure they offer full service; referrals to physical therapy, possibly accupuncture,
and work in conjunction with a spine surgeon and a neurologist; sometimes a psychiatrist.
It's quite involved; the mind-body thing.
You've dealt with it for a long time. Be patient in finding more treatment; be safe.
Good Luck. God Bless. |  |
ali sweeney, at 08/31/09 08:27 AM [Mountain Time] said:
| I have been diagnonised with inoperable spinal stenosis;copd;lupus;fibro and need all 7 discks in my neck fused along with degenerative disc disease..2 dR'S HAVE ALREADY SAID THEY COULD NO LONGER HELP ME AND REFERED ME TO A PAIN MANAGEMENT CLINIC.Does anyone know what i can expect? |  |
Claudine Indelicato, at 08/26/09 01:12 AM [Mountain Time] said:
| Teresa:
My sister in law had some sort of bone tumor; finally found a specialist at Mass. General to help her. Maybe it's something to check out.
Hang in there girl. I pray for you. Claudine. | |
nancy shuhart, at 08/14/09 02:30 PM [Mountain Time] said:
| Teresa, Wishing you well with your new surgeon. Pray the outcome will leave you pain free. |  |
Teresa Selby, at 08/12/09 03:42 PM [Mountain Time] said:
| I have been living with some type of pain since I was born. I was born with a rare bone disorder (MHE, bone tumors) which is progressive. I currently am having severe pain down my entire left leg, foot and hip. I have been told that I need to have several tumors removed on my left left and ankle, however because of the rare nature of the disorder I have had a hard time finding a surgeon who will remove the tumors. I have an appointment with a specialist next month and hopefully I will have better luck with him. Dealing with the stress of the pain and not knowing the outcome of any possible surgeries, not being able to complete "normal household chores, job or wife or step mother" been extremely difficult. |  |
nancy shuhart, at 08/04/09 03:40 PM [Mountain Time] said:
| Pain causes stress & stress creates more pain. Have been living with chronic pain for 15 yrs. & have gone thru every type of treatment prescribed. Nothing has ever kept me pain free but am now working on trying to accept the fact that I will never live pain free. For all those out there sharing the effects of chronic pain, God Bless. | |
National Pain Foundation, at 07/09/09 08:56 AM [Mountain Time] said:
| Dear Margee,
We're so sorry to hear that you are painfully waiting for relief. Sometimes talking about your pain can help, so we thank you for leaving your comment on our blog.
Be sure to review our "Living" tab, more specifically the "Coping" section. There may be some helpful articles there, although the ultimate goal would be to complete your surgery as soon as possible.
We wish you the best of luck and know you'll be in our thoughts.
Yours in advancement,
The NPF Staff |  |
Margee' Morris, at 06/15/09 09:00 AM [Mountain Time] said:
| Dealing with pain causes so much stress. Right now waiting for 2 months already and looks like more before I can see my Orthopedic Surgeon, I need surgery on my right shoulder. |  |
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