You cant see pain, but why don't people believe you?

I can totally relate to this. As I'm sure many others on this forum can. Chronic pain is an invisible condition therefore nobody can "see" your pain. Thus all the ignorance can come to the surface from other people. Friends or relatives who've never experienced chronic pain will NEVER entirely understand what your feeling. That's just not going to change. The best thing to do is not worry what they think, the most important thing to do is keep moving forward with your treatments and seeking relief.

As for doctors, I think many would like to "see" what they're dealing with, thus they can get frustrated as well. So this leaves many who are in chronic pain seen as maybe lower priority patients...the ones who have something "not visible", "mysterious", or "maybe it is in their head". And if there's no red flag on any sort of scan, well that does't help matters. And just because nothing shows up on an xray or similar scan doesn't mean there's nothing wrong. Of course we shouldn't be considered lower priority at all! We hurt as much or even more than those with "visible" conditions! But in a stretched medical system where doctor visits are short, waits for diagnostic scans are long, and an aging population that is getting larger it seems like an uphill battle for many of us.

Anyways that's my two cents. I can see your frustration. Take care.

I wish I could copy and send to my German doctors. German doctors know it all. They read or take advice from no one. They often do not even have discussions about a patient with a specialist. its all about who knows more. So this will only me for my personal information and knowledge. As they will not even give it a second consideration because they do NOT get paid for it lol. Its a pitty tho, as they may learn something they do not know.

I was now reading the report from my Ortho doctor and IF the SSA had read this or taken the time to rranslate it, they would clearly see my problems stem for more than a decade. So whilst they have this in their possession. I will be sending it all over again.

I was only diagnosed with chronic pain about 2 years ago because nothing stops it. I do not want to get hooked on Morphine.

Hi Pom Mom,
Welcome to HW! Boy your post certainly hits home. And I think all of us here with chronic pain -- regardless of the cause -- can relate.
Pain is something that is very difficult to quantify. And is very personal/highly dependent on individual differences in physiology, tolerance, etc. Two people could have the same exact condition yet perceive completely differently amounts (or even types) of pain. But does that mean that the person with more pain is lying, or that their pain isn't real? No! Absolutely not. It is just different.
People don't understand what they can't see, can't feel, or can't define. It is certainly very frustrating (to say the least) when you have an "invisible illness." And pain in particular is difficult because it is so often "invisible" (we don't all have big limps, or other outward signs that clue people in to the fact that something is wrong and we may be in pain). It makes it even harder when as a CP patient, you try to live as normal a life as possible and do your best to "put on a good face" for others, and not let the people around you see how much pain you are truly in. Out of necessity, we all become masters of hiding our pain. But that's not always a good thing.
Have you ever read "The Spoon Theory?" It was written by a lady with Lupus, but I think it pretty much applies to any chronic "invisible illness." It certainly applies to what we deal with every day as chronic pain patients.
If you haven't ever read "The Spoon Theory," I strongly encourage you to take the time to do so. It is very well written. I think I literally cried the first time I read it because it so perfectly described what it is like to suffer from a debilitating condition that is essentially invisible to others and to have to constantly deal with people who don't believe that you could be "that sick" or in "that much pain" because outwardly you look fairly normal.
I've also found it really helpful to give a copy to family members/friends who "just don't get it." It helps open their eyes to just how much we go through every day (what they don't see) & prompt further discussion about your own particular struggles and how your condition effects all the various aspects of your life.

Hope this helps. Hang in there!
Skeye

I second the Wow, not sure I liked what I read but at least I have a good analogy going into all this....

Thanks

Lee

Hi Skye I have not read it but i will surely look into it. Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, pain the invisible monster that no one can see only the sufferer can feel. It drives me to near scream like a mad woman at times cuz I cant stand it. To live in pain and have no means for relief is just wrong. To live on drugs is just wrong.

My family is screwed up and I just rather no share anything with them cuz they just don't believe you. Only their problems are on the table, yours are fake. So I let it be.

I do try to live and go about like I am ok, but sometimes when I am hurting I just assume stay indoors. Today I had a little ease after therapy but that was all, a little ease. My hubbs will ask if the mood is ok to come home lol. Cuz he knows once I am not feeling well I can be a witch. Thanks for the warm welcome. I am having problems to type too long a post.

Oh my goodness, I bookmarked that one as well to print up later. I definitely like that pain scale better and it's more accurate!

Also thanks for posting the spoon theory. It is so touching and oh so very true.