Chronic pain and horrible healthcare

[D1ng0]

@NatureLover I think my family is just scared, mainly.

TW: Suicide

Content/trigger warning

There have been several suicides in my family, and I know that if I was honest about the thoughts I'm having, it would not be taken well. Announcing it would cause a lot of fear that history is repeating itself. Plus, the family members I'm closest to have their own mental illnesses, so I don't know how to bring up suicidal thoughts with them. One of my family members definitely has backwards, toxic views about suicide, but the others are just carrying trauma.

Being suicidal, this puts me in a really difficult position. When I read articles/posts about reaching out to loved ones and building a support network, I just feel like it's impossible. It adds to my hopelessness.

My next psychologist appointment is soon.

[SmilingGecko]

Hello @D1ng0 I know how you must feel. Give this audio a try. I first came across it when I had agonising teeth pain due to worn enamel. I did not have any painkillers in the house and I could not sleep because the pain was really bad. It knocked out the pain after several listens and I was finally able to get some sleep. I have also lived with misdiagnosed fibromyalgia and that is chronic allover body pain. Anyway the advice is to drink water while listening to this audio. I use headphones but I think just listening through speakers works according to the creator of these fields. I hope you feel better soon! I can say it worked for me. You can also read the testimonials from comments under the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xU0Wrx8vtc

[Eve7]

Hey @D1ng0 I am so sorry to hear about your constant pain and the long wait for your next physio appointment.

Does your physio give you daily exercises to do? I only ask as my physio does that and I find it really helpful to keep doing them. Are you able to speak to your physio by phone?

Take care.

[D1ng0]

Thanks @SmilingGecko I will give it a try.

Thank you @Eve7 for the kind words. The main problem is that I have only just finished the assessment process with this physiotherapist, and we haven't yet explored any actual coping strategies or exercises. This physiotherapist had me disclose really personal stuff and is now saying, "just wait over 100 days for your pain management plan". So, that's why I feel blindsided and abandoned. I have emailed my physio explaining that I feel frightened about the prospect of being unsupported for so long. I haven't gotten a response yet.

[lavenderhaze]

Hi @D1ng0,

I am so sorry to hear that you're in so much pain. I can only imagine how frustrating navigating the system must be for you with chronic pain. When you are looking for relief and support, 100 days is such a long time to wait. It really breaks my heart.

It's so understandable that this is affecting your mental health. How can we best support you through this time?

[SmilingGecko]

Hello @D1ng0 just following up with you and the pain audio. I'm hoping you have found some relief.  I had a friend with fibromyalgia and she was on some pretty heavy duty opioids. I was denied access to the healthcare system and had to find other alternatives. Anyway thought I'd check in to see how youre going. You may have squeezed in some much needed sleep today which would be very welcome I notice you haven't left any other posts so hoping your afternoon has been ok for you. Pain is an awful situation to be in. I have lots of compassion for folks suffering with pain based on what I went through. I hope you are feeling much better! 🌻

[D1ng0]

Hey @lavenderhaze, thank you for recognising how awful this situation is.

Honestly, folks saying, "that is really horrible," and, "you deserve more support," is helping. It's support I'm not getting elsewhere. I've booked more appointments with my psychologist but this more casual support is helping in the meantime. I'm really glad to have access to this forum.

I don't want to put pressure on forum contributors to offer a cure or a magical fix (though obviously my brain is desperate for that). If people would like to share how they've personally coped with inaccessible healthcare, chronic pain, medical trauma, et cetera, that's hugely appreciated and gives me hope. But otherwise, just kindness helps. So, thank you.

[Jynx]

Sending you a very big pile of hugs my friend @D1ng0 - I'm glad you found us too 😊💜

[D1ng0]

Hey @SmilingGecko, thank you for following up and checking how I'm doing. I really appreciate you thinking of me.

I try not to sleep throughout the day, as I have a white-knuckled grip on my insomnia as it is. Unfortunately, I didn't respond until now because I was busy having a breakdown, if I'm honest. It's been a long time since I've cried this hard. At first I was numb, then I was absolutely devastated and bawling, and now I'm angry. It's been an emotional rollercoaster and I'm very, very tired. So I think sleep will come easier, ironically.

I want to save the audio for a night when I have the emotional space for it. Right now I don't feel very emotionally/psychologically open. Today I had to deal with phone calls to/ my physiotherapist's practice. I'm not sure whether they're hearing how much they've let me down by guaranteeing an appointment earlier than 15 weeks from now, then pulling the rug out from under me. The stuff they're giving me to do in the meantime is not tailored for my recovery at all. I was feeling comfortable with this physio, but now, I feel like I've opened up for nothing. I've disclosed so much painful, personal stuff and bared my soul to this practitioner, only to be told that none of that information will be used for over 100 days. This is the fourth practitioner I've invested my hope in. I'm tired of it.

Thanks for reading all of that. I know it's not very positive. I'm trying my best but I don't have positivity left at the moment. So, I'm thankful for your compassion, and your knowledge as someone with lived experience of persistent pain.

[D1ng0]

Thank you @Jynx. I'm grateful for you and this forum. Otherwise I'd be ending today on a horrible note.