Does our philosophy for life have an affect on our pain?

Absolutely!!! There are many studies out there that show people who are stressed, angry, or those who are pessimistic are going to have higher levels of pain and dissatisfaction with medications, procedures, even surgery.

Just like laughing and finding joy releases endorphins which are natural pain relievers, how we view our overall life and satisfaction can really make a difference in our health. Obviously it doesn't prevent bad things from happening, but as you wrote, how you deal with it is paramount.

I am blessed to have my faith as it has helped me in not just my health situations but in all aspects of my life as I "Let Go, Let God" and do what I can and release the rest.

Now, do I allow myself a few "pity party" days each year...you bet!!! I am human and need to cry, vent, or wallow once in awhile....but for a very short period of time for just the release. Then I get up, dust myself off, and go on with living!

I just wrote to another member on the CP board about focusing on what we can do as well as helping others really does take our mind off our own aches/pains or issues which in turn makes my day much more positive.

This is a great thread! It's not about religion for those who may get upset with someone's personal beliefs....it's about finding that joy and peace anyway that you want to:)

my life was like a roollercoaster before i got fibro, i was just getting my life sorted out for the good the year before fibro,so having this now is a total burden in my life and my children, to carry this pain & many symtoms 24/7 & not having a wee break from it is a total nightmare each day,think i am still in shock knowing that its for life,& what makes things worse is the fact theres so much of a stigma to this illness & it upsets us when medical people thinks its all in the head,so that does not help us at tall,as that is one thing we crave for is understanding & good support,and you all no we dont really get alot of that,so it is a total blow to us all in our lifes,but once we accept the pain daily then thats when alot of us will go forward,my heart goes out to all the laddies & men when i read there storys on this forum, as we can understand every one of them what they are going through,i have only had fibro since late 2011,so i feel i am still knew to it all,but i can feel that i am getting a bit more positive as you do need that to go more forward in our lifes, as lifes to short to live like a wreck non stop,so each day everyone of us will get stronger & stronger & not let this monster inside of us to win,atleast our second life will be pain free so thats somthing to look forward to,hope you are All fine XX

Post Edited (maitland) : 4/13/2013 4:51:50 AM (GMT-6)

Great post, Robin!

I think our attitude on our condition(s) is huge, and may even help us get better, at times. That said, I also think there can be many things that are beyond our control, health sometimes being one of them.

  I believe, personally, that we each have been given our own 'crosses' to bear in this life, and it's up to us to respond as well as we can. Keeping a positive attitude, staying as healthy as we can, helping those less fortunate, distracting ourselves by keeping busy and engaging in humor, hobbies, or just lots of daily chores can help us make it through.

Sometimes I'll be feeling sorry for myself, then I'll get a call from my church about someone who is in a much worse situation, and it's a wake up call to me to stop the pity party. My pain doesn't seem so bad, then!

  Prayer and practicing my faith are huge for me. Going to the sacrament of Reconciliation regularly helps me stay on track; it's sort of my 'psychiatrist' and cleans up the messes I've made in my life--the times I've goofed.  Sometimes it seems there are very rough times to muddle through, and all sorts of things are 'thrown' at me to deal with, but I know the Lord will see me through, one way or another. I have noticed that when I'm 'together' spiritually, I seldom notice my pain.

 If I have bad pain today, I take the steps I can to make tomorrow a better day, and I start with asking myself, "Where did I go wrong today?"  I often make connections there, especially seeing my pain flare after an argument or disagreement with someone, or just being in a lousy, dark mood.  I try to correct it if it was my fault.  I also try not to worry (easier said than done, but I recall the words of St. Padre Pio:  "Pray, hope and don't worry."  I LOVE that!!)

I think you all know what I feel about having a positive outlook.  We used to have a mod here that called me Little Miss Sunshine!     My postive attitude has helped me immeasurably over the years.  It helped me recuperate in record time from surgeries I've had, too, like being able to do Christmas shopping at the mall 11 days after having my colon removed.  I still had 89 staples in me to boot!  I did this for four days in a row and then went back to the Cleveland Clinic to have the staples removed.  I would never have been able to do that without my positive attitude.  The doctors at the Cleveland Clinic told me that, too. 

 

I have been sick most of my life.  I could choose to dwell on the illnesses or I could try to work around them to enjoy my life.  I chose to enjoy the life I have and I sure don't regret it.  More illnesses have seemed to pile on the older I get but I just try to keep myself as healthy as possible, take only the necessary medications and rely more on supplements and exercise to help me.  

I love my life!  I don't love my illnesses but enjoying life helps me push the illnesses in the background.  Rarely do I focus on how I feel.  If I did, I would be miserable.  Instead, I look for things to do today...things I need to do, things I enjoy doing, and things to help others.  All of this brings joy to me.

My positive attitude has been such a blessing all these years.  God only knows what my life would have been like without it.  I have a lot of pain but I'm very happy and at peace with my life and that sure helps keep the stress and pain levels down. 

This is a good thread, Robin!  I really feel like you do...that a positive attitude helps all of us.

Sherrine