So Pain Makes us Old? No Kidding!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
A study published by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has shown that "24% of the 18,531 people surveyed -- had functional limitations roughly equivalent to those of a person two to three decades older". Now granted this study had nothing at all to do with cluster headaches. However, it does go to show that pain does significantly impact the way we live and feel. This might seem like a no brainer for those of us in pain. But for those around us who can not come to terms with the impact it plays in our lives this might help them on the road to better understand how we feel. Betrayed by our bodies and then told to "get over it" or "we all have pain" and so on. Hopefully when we say we feel older than we are at least now it is not "just in our head".
Part of the reason, at least in my case, for feeling much older is that pain brings on so many negative emotions. We feel guilt at burdening our love ones. Our self-esteem slowly dwindles as we loose our independence. Anger and frustration that was never part of our character creeps to the surface. We stop laughing and going out for fear that one small trigger will put us through 6 weeks of hell. In time all that seems to remain is the negative aspects of our personality. Yet, those fleeting moments of enjoyment and comfort from a love one can make it enough to go on to keep fighting and never give up!
Paul
"There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief."
-Aurelius
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Part of the reason, at least in my case, for feeling much older is that pain brings on so many negative emotions. We feel guilt at burdening our love ones. Our self-esteem slowly dwindles as we loose our independence. Anger and frustration that was never part of our character creeps to the surface. We stop laughing and going out for fear that one small trigger will put us through 6 weeks of hell. In time all that seems to remain is the negative aspects of our personality. Yet, those fleeting moments of enjoyment and comfort from a love one can make it enough to go on to keep fighting and never give up!
Paul
"There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief."
-Aurelius
0 comments
0 Comments:
Medical terminology can cause confusion at the best of times. If there is a word you do not understand all you have to do is double-click on it and the definition will appear! Don't forget to drop me a line by email at versilleus@gmail.com with your comments, questions‚ recommended resources‚ concerns‚ & especially your experiences with clusters. Or come find me on my Facebook Profile to add me as a Friend. Whether you are a supporter‚ care-giver or sufferer. I would love to hear from you!
*Please do not use this information for self diagnoses. Writing about my experiences with chronic cluster headaches & epilepsy is a good outlet for me. Consult your Dr. with any kind of headache or chronic pain you may have. The 3rd party links on my site I have found to be a good resource to me over the past few years & dearly hope they will benefit you as well.*
