Chronic Pain

Hello Folks,

I was a bit reluctant to join this group at all because a few people I had asked about it said not to bother - there isn't any traffic on this site. Well, yes and no. Many/most of the Chronic Pain forums haven't been posted to in weeks to months. Instead, all the traffic is here in the (pardon the expression) "coffee clutch" forum.

I don't begrudge that at all, however as I go through these "daily grind" posts, I see that there is actually a lot of stuff that might do well to be posted in "on-topic" forums and generate more discussions there.

Some folks are in so much discomfort they may not be inclined to wade through pages of off-topic chit-chat to glean what may be helpful/useful to them if it were only posted (perhaps as well) in more appropriate on-topic forums.

Might incourage a few of the folks who cruise through and don't see any content traffic to sign up and help/be helped.

Just my opinion - I could be wrong.

hello chronic pain. as you can see, we do check things out. however, speaking for myself -- i like the "catch-all" atmosphere of the daily grind. i feel like i can talk about anything and everything and everyone will understand and participate. i don't have the time or inclination to check five different threads to talk about five different things. although it's a hodgepodge, it's helpful to me. i like going with the flow and talking about other things or just venting about what is wrong with me that day. i understand what you are saying, but for someone who just "hopped" on, check it out before making critical judgments about people or forums you know nothing about. and, there are other threads that people do post to. so start your own like you did here, or join the daily grind.

Good morning all. I am on my way to see a rheumatologist in Victoria 1 1/2 hours away. Hubby is driving, so I can recline the seat and relax on the way. I will post tonight and let you know what happened.
Chronic pain: I don't know what to make of your post. This daily grind has been my saving grace. Never in my life have I met so many nice, warm and comforting people. I don't feel alone in my pain anymore. I hope you find something that helps you!!!!!
We support each other here unconditionally and understand!!

quote:

Originally posted by deborama:
Good morning all. I am on my way to see a rheumatologist in Victoria 1 1/2 hours away. Hubby is driving, so I can recline the seat and relax on the way. I will post tonight and let you know what happened.
Chronic pain: I don't know what to make of your post. This daily grind has been my saving grace. Never in my life have I met so many nice, warm and comforting people. I don't feel alone in my pain anymore. I hope you find something that helps you!!!!!
We support each other here unconditionally and understand!!

sweetpea, you posted in "reality check" -- not daily grind. you may want to repost it.

quote:

Originally posted by browneyedgimpygirl:
hello chronic pain. as you can see, we do check things out. however, speaking for myself -- i like the "catch-all" atmosphere of the daily grind. i feel like i can talk about anything and everything and everyone will understand and participate. i don't have the time or inclination to check five different threads to talk about five different things. although it's a hodgepodge, it's helpful to me. i like going with the flow and talking about other things or just venting about what is wrong with me that day. i understand what you are saying, but for someone who just "hopped" on, check it out before making critical judgments about people or forums you know nothing about. and, there are other threads that people do post to. so start your own like you did here, or join the daily grind.

Um, I DID check it out, any criticism was constructive, I'm glad it works for you, and as I said, I don't begrudge that.

Everyone in this (or any) support group arrives by just "hopping on". That's how they work, and IIRC, an invitation was extended to do just that. Sorry it irked you so and that you're taking this so personally, but as I intimated, I'm not alone on this out here. I'm also sorry you seem to have no tolerance for any kind of middle ground. I hope the entire group isn't this polar.

chronic pain - good name - this is adrian, a regular at the grind .. while we do a lot of chit-chat , and od post quite a bit of info , we do not discourage anyone form joinging this group ..

forums are for all, and while the traffic in the other discussions may be slow , as we grow at the grind , we like that we can talk as if we were all sitting ata table , having our coffee or tea , and just let it out ...

the design of the grind was purposely made for that reason, as a veteran at other forums , attacks of personal nature toward people in pain, or facing any life altering hardship are welcome .. unlike the forums designed for posting helpful hints only , we like to let a person express , get it out there and often IF someone has advice to that specific person, they will post ..

I am sorry you felt brownedeyed girl was irked , but if you have an issue with "The Grind" and how it functions, my suggestion is then keep on keepin' on .. and be in peace , wherever you may find it ..

You do not have to read all the posts to glean anything , that is the beauty , you post your "grind" or gripe , someone is apt to comfort you , offer or ask simplle questions , we don't judge or begrudge , and we CARE about anyone who is open, hoenst and finds releif through expression ..

The Grind is not for everyone , and so to try to answer to your negative connotations , is not what the Grind is about ..

Sorry you feel as you do, sorry if you are in pain, sorry if you cannot get into our format .. sorry the other forum posts here do not suit you ..

Try SHareposting, or maybe just sharing your pain in the Grind , tell us your story , get into the spirit of the Grind , and maybe the "tips" will come ..

But attacking a group of people , who for better or worse lift each other up , have found their way , and love the format .. I am sorry for you ...

I read the others replys and found neither trying to "polarize" you , instead , I read they are welcoming, and offering you some answers as to what the "Grind " is about .. no one wants to be alone in their pain, and we would welcome you to post there .. again, it is your call, please, don't turn this into a gripeline about our forum ...

AGSerra

quote:

Originally posted by Adrian:

...
you post your "grind" or gripe , someone is apt to comfort you , offer or ask simplle questions , we don't judge or begrudge
...

AGSerra

Ya know, that's just what I did, only it wasn't a gripe or grind; it was an observation and constructive suggestion, and those who've responded haven't offered any comfort or asked any questions. They've gotten defensive (for no good reason - I haven't "attacked" anyone or anything, or believe me, you'd know it in no uncertain terms) and done little but twist/distort my words, meaning, and intention.

And I've received nothing BUT judging and begrudging about it, and that DOES discourage me from joining in.

quote:

Originally posted by Adrian:

I read the others replys and found neither trying to "polarize" you ...

AGSerra

Then apparently you DIDN'T read what I actually said. This is a perfect example of twisting my words into something I never said.

I came here to exchange positive ideas and support (and I believe my posts to other forums bear that out), but it appears I may as well have posted to Usenet with all the defensiveness here.

Kids, I CAN'T wade through the coffee clutch - my pain doesn't permit it. I get windows of maybe 20 - 30 minutes (tops) before I risk a migraine that could put me down for days.

But I can offer support/help in a concise fashion (on-topic forums).

For the THIRD time now, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR DAILY GRIND!

I only wish you'd send some of the pertinent stuff where it might help others than your clique. (and THAT'S the only "attack" I've made.)

quote:

Originally posted by chronic pain:
Hello Folks,

I was a bit reluctant to join this group at all because a few people I had asked about it said not to bother - there isn't any traffic on this site. Well, yes and no. Many/most of the Chronic Pain forums haven't been posted to in weeks to months. Instead, all the traffic is here in the (pardon the expression) "coffee clutch" forum.

I don't begrudge that at all, however as I go through these "daily grind" posts, I see that there is actually a lot of stuff that might do well to be posted in "on-topic" forums and generate more discussions there.

Some folks are in so much discomfort they may not be inclined to wade through pages of off-topic chit-chat to glean what may be helpful/useful to them if it were only posted (perhaps as well) in more appropriate on-topic forums.

Might incourage a few of the folks who cruise through and don't see any content traffic to sign up and help/be helped.

Just my opinion - I could be wrong.

Hello Chronic Pain!

I'm sorry that I've not really had a chance to properly welcome you. I'm really glad that since you've joined up here that you've given it a try to encourage more traffic in the forums here. I've been trying for over a year!

I've been in pain for many years now and I've participated, joined and lurked at numerous forums and sites all over the net. I still participate in others too.
A year 1/2 ago when I stumbled through the door of the Chronic Pain Connection sharepost, sites & forums. I took an entire week reviewing the site, reading all the sharepost after I printed nearly the entire site into a 3 ring binder. At that time, I was not able to sit up to the desk top for more than a few moments and had to either lay down or recline, then I would quickly do a reply on the topics I desired and or sharepost I wanted or felt I could offer some help (I've also done a great deal of chronic pain research & study + taken a 10 week course in pain management skills) I'm still learning though and have found every person in pain has something to offer. When we are in pain, knowledge is our best advocate!

I could see right away that this site has some really geat potential and could really be having alot more active members if those who sign up would just become active in it. Many sign up and do one sharepost or one question and I find alot of sharepost and forum questions that completely go unanswered. I began my quest here to try my best to make sure everyone on both sides received a welcome at the very least. There is only one person who moderates on both sides and she also does many sharepost per week and is also very sick like the rest of us. I could see she needed some help, so I have tried my best to volunteer as much time as I can to the chronic Pain connection sharepost/Forums to try to make some type of difference here. I know that I fall short of my goal, but I spend about 96 hours per week caring for a 93 yr old friend, cuz she has not got the money to pay an agency. I manage her banking, bills & home which has proven to be a FULL time job. I come home for a few days, as I've been able to hire another gal to give me a few days off per week so I can rest and try to deal with my own severe chronic Pain and Fibro. I try to participate on the days at her house as often as I can, but that's not nearly as much as I normally have. Then while I'm trying to recover from the long days & nights with her and caring for her every need, as she's not even able to get herself a cup of coffee on her own. (she's nearly blind and deaf) Then when I get home here, I spend all day & evening trying to catch up with sharepost & forum replies from conversations I've already begun to greeting any & all newbies.

I had originally wanted to begin a support group in my own community for all chronically ill people, old & young, but that unfortunately did not work out right then. I was not dependable as my pain control was still all over the place and had just been diagnosed with FM, which complicated everything.

As I participated more & more here, I came up with the Daily Grind idea for my support group, asked permission from the managers here and when they approved it, I began by doing a sharepost of my own, telling everyone about all the opportunities on the entire site and just trying to continue to invite others to join in. We've had many many folks who have come and gone. As Adrian said, the daily grind is not for every, but for those who appreciate it and rely on it for Love & Understanding. (including myself) they really thrive. don't feel as isolated and lonely and are able to feel like they have a social life. I think for most people, the grind works best for those who are nearly homebound, live alone or don't have the time, energy or days without pain for a social life and those who are misunderstood by family & friends. It's also helpful for those of us who have already past the point of exceptance and are fully aware that this is what the rest of our lives are going to be like. Unless of course through research they happen to find a cure for all our chronic Pain issues, Fibromyalgia, migrains, ms, chronic fatigue, etc. By the grace of God I pray they do, but until then, I can be found at the daily grind communcating with my friends.
Adrian, Chuck & I have been together daily for over a year now. I hope that next year this time I can say the same for all our newer members and more future members.

I know this reply is very long, but I really wanted to make sure you understood where I was coming from and the hows or whys of the daily grind. There is a full explanation on the very first month of the DG first page/first post if you are interested in more info on why it was created.

I honestly agree (to a certain point) and understand what your talking about ie the rules of regulations of most forums. But the daily grind is only one thread in a very large forum with plenty of area for others to join in and create posts. I would love for you to take the iniative to begin helping myself and Bob to get more traffic and posts going around here. I try to create replys and participate in any or all discussion and I certainly would do anything to try and help someone get things moving around here.

This forum is inactive just they way it was before the daily grind, so I think possibly your question could of hit a nerve with others, as it felt like you were saying that it was inactive because of the daily grind and that my friend is completely inaccurate. There are more people here right now today, than there was before the grind even began. If others have told you any different and stated they don't post here because of the daily grind, then that is completely inaccurate and you can look at the dates of the threads created and the DG and see very easily and clearly that is not the case. In the past year I have invited, created sharepost invitations and done my very best to welcome and encourage people to come over to the forum area. I'm only one person and people have to decide to participate. I cannot make them.
I would be more than happy to join forces with you and help encourage more involvement in all the forum areas, but the Daily Grind will stay in the off topic area of the forums to accomadate those who just want to talk about their day and make friends with out having to stick to a topic, be heavily moderated and have to even think about pain topics. There is plenty of room here for all and I would love to see this an active forum, but like I said, I'm only one Volunteer.

I'm not upset nor offended at your comment and I thank you very much for having the courage to just ask/suggest the question. For the most part, you can see I agree. I keep looking at the over 2,0000 people per month watching the DG and wondering why they won't join in the forum and begin doing something about the inactivity. Or just join in with us. I've welcomed everyone here and I'm sorry that's the best I can do or say.

Thank you. Let me know if you'd like to create a plan to get more involved here and I would love to join in

Betty

Hi Chronic Pain,
I have been reading through all the postings to you and just wanted to let you know my perspective.

I stumbled on the daily grind, just by chance while researching info for a new medication for myself. I am a very private persona and have never joined any group like this before. I have been pretty much in bed and disabled for 2 ½ years now with life long health struggles. Initially, when Betty wrote to me in such a caring way, I immediately felt cared for in a way my family and friends can’t do. Instant understanding and acceptance and I could say what ever I felt day to day.

This may not sound like a lot but it has helped the hopelessness that I have been feeling. My spirit has been lifted more than any antidepressant could do. Sometimes because of having been in pain for so long it has been hard for me to accept who I now.

I know what you are saying about sharing the important information. For instance, I started Cymbalta 2 days ago. I can talk to the grind about the weaning of Effexor and going to Cymbalta. Perhaps when I have sufficient stable information about how this is working for me I will do a share post about it but until then my posting WOULD COME ACROSS as just chit chat.

I feel so fortunate to have found these supportive new friends. It has taken me a bit of time to get to know them as with any friendship. I like you can only sit for about 20 minutes but it the most important 20 minutes of my day.

If you only want info, the grind is probably not the place and yet I have learned so much. As Betty always says, all are welcome.

I wish you comfort and success in your searches.
Dockside