Jackie, I have chronic pain from old injuries, but nothing as serious as you. 20 years ago, while working my way through college I got my dextrous hand crushed and three of my fingers ripped-off by a conveyer belt missing a safety-guard. I was lucky doctor’s re-attached two of my fingers. Man, can my fingers and hand hurt sometimes, I even get phantom pain in my missing finger. Having a job that required me type all day for 18 years didn’t help much either. I’ve spent many evenings soaking my hand in a bucket of warm water. Now I work at a dog-boarding kennel, it’s physically grueling, my back hurts really bad sometimes, probably from being rear-ended while stopped at a stop-light ten years ago, and recent x-rays revealed I have a slightly degenerative spine.
I don’t like pain meds either, mostly because they make me feel loopy. I do take over-the-counter stuff like Aleve or Advil, but I worry about side effects, so I only take them when I’m really hurting.
I agree with you, the best thing I have found is keep moving, and laughter is the best medicine (besides insulin, of course!) Sorry I have no advice to offer, since like you I just plow through it the best I can. But hey, I thought your blog and the responses it generated were interesting.
