Chronic Pain

Hello everyone!I truly do not know where to start or how to begin with my story but I will just go for it!I, Thank you all, for being here whether to just come together and share or offer some kind and caring supportive words to others. I hope I can offer some input, if asked down the road, to all of you as well. I would love to hear about and learn new, innovative ways to cope with chronic pain issues and challenges. I am a 54 yr. old divorced woman, living in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. I was dx'd in 1997, with CFIDS, FM, chronic cystitis,or IC, with a few others as well. I have tried to learn not to focus on the titles of each condition and remain in a positive mindframe and with a kind and open attitude to all and my challenges as well. I try to take my life one day at a time. I have been on SSD for ten years, after having a wonderful, blessed career, as a LCSW, social worker/therapist with a Masters in social work, specializing in oncology and Aids patients originally. I'm looking for a network of supportive people, whom share openly and with kindness and offer some of what has helped them live a quality of life that can sustain them. I have been doing much better in the last two or so years, until recently. I have learned by being very positive and spiritual in my beliefs, it's helped me move through some recent tragic events with family members. This has triggered my sadness and far more pain than I had in many years. I'm always seeking to hear what has helped others in times of unexpected challenges and loss. I am in a relapse now and fighting to get myself back to a life, as positive and meaningful as possible. I have been embracing my true passion now since I can ever remember by always wanting to be a dancer. It has transformed my life, and that I'm doing all the physical therapy, to music and dance moves, its all in one for me. My doctor always wanted me to address my conditions with increased activity in my life. So, I have finally done so! I move my body to music and using some yoga and pilates poses, as my dance coach and mentor, is one whom helps people such as myself and maybe you as well. He also understands many chronic illnesses now for years and helps me to move through the pain of the body, heart, mind and soul! I still have very serious pain , please don't misunderstand but by moving my body, its helps me forget for a little while, at least! I have now a very challenging new situation dealing with my teeth. I needed to urgently have two bottom back teeth pulled and the healing process and jaw pain is relentless and endless!I can't seem to get any doctors/dentists to understand how this just compounds the other chronic conditions, I am already coping with daily. I had been coping fairly well, after the death of my father recently and at the same time, my mom had a major stroke and then two subsequent Pulmonary emboli's or clots in her lungs which almost killed her as well. My weight dropped to 96 lbs and I was at her bedside, for several days and nights! She did make it through her situation and I had ignored my own dental health as I had to be with my family at that critical time due to unexpected life events which suddenly occurred. Now, I have a new problem with my mouth and fear its nerve damage! My lower jaw and the pain is so severe and non stop. It is almost paralyzing to me now. I am trying my best to cope with all of this and it's diffciult at times. Well, that's my situation I truly wish to share with all of you beautiful people and souls. I hope you all have a very Happy Holiday and a bright New Year. I am looking forward to continuing with my life, and moving forward with a positive attitude and mood, while remaining open to all of your input and feedback. Whatever comes my way to enhance and add to my life by others I am/will be eternally grateful to you all. I am looking forward to a much fuller life in 2008! Please know I am open to feedback and would be open to joining any and all groups, if I know when and where and how to join you all. I will look to any responses on this site or aywhere you all can guide me to as well. I'm grateful for any help getting through and learning how to utilize the computer not to miss any pertinent info and groups. I thank you all for reading my initial introduction, and posting, to say hello to everyone! My screen name is spiritualdancer or my real name is Elise. PEACE to you all! Thank you all again and I wish you a far more positive and producitve year ahead in 2008! God bless you all! Spiritualdancer

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Karen Lee Richards,

Elise
I wanted to post you a reply here and to also thank you so much for joining our group and participating with all of us. It's wonderful to hear about your dance and I can imagine how beautiful you are while dancing and feeling free from your pain, if only for a short time.
Your a lovely and precious soul and I hope your receive all the love and comfort in return that you share with all of us. Please know that your loved and appreciated and we have all been so blessed with your presence in our Daily Grind.
I pray that you are able to heal from your recent dental issues and additional extreme pain. Your an amazing woman to still be up and getting around with all the pain you must obviously be in. Just shows how much your willing to give of your self and that is truely a gift from God.
You take care of your self Spiritual Dancer, I can invision you on the dance floor showing your stuff. ((((Smile))))))) I bet it's lovely.
I've wanted to take Ballroom dancing with my husband & our son & his fiance for a very long time. The guys laughed at me and said that I would never beable to do it with all my pain, but I sure would like to try.
I though it would be very romantic and also be wonderful for us to all know how to dance properly at weddings and also in nice night clubs with nice music. None of us know how to dance and I just thought it would be a wonderful idea for us all to learn together, before the kids wedding in a few years.
Now after hearing about you, I've got some amunition to tell them that I know someone else in chronic pain & fatigue that takes lessons and she is doing wonderful.

I hope that you'll be up to some visiting tomorrow, and I'm sorry that I did not get back to the group until late tonight.
I spent the afternoon with my elderly friend and hitched a ride with my husband & son to town and had them drop me off at her house, while they went to the movies. I had such a nice time with her and it got me out of the house for a few hours. I've not left the house since xmas day, as the snow has been so deep. It snowed all day today and is still snowing right now, don't know when it's going to stop.

I'll talk to you tomorrow, I'm hoping I can still be feeling human after I sleep tonight. Mornings are really bad for me and I cannot figure out why? Any idea?

See you hopefully tomorrow
Gentle Hugs and much love
Betty