posts are written by Central Pain Syndrome patients. Our posts provide a sense of connection and comfort to CPS patients as well as helpful information for doctors.
Central Pain Syndrome is caused by damage to the Central Nervous System; the brain, brainstem, or spinal cord. CPS brings a lifetime of moderate to severe pain often described as burning, aching or sharp, in addition to many other symptoms.
To me, progress is simple things like learning how to embrace the cards you were dealt with and figure the ropes around managing your thoughts and your daily therapeutic treatments, even if you’re just barely hanging on to the potential of future hope.
Read More“You don’t look sick.”
“Thank you and you don’t look stupid.”
I might look healthy on the outside, but that doesn’t mean I am healthy on the inside. I might not have a broken bone, I may not have lost a limb, but I am still sick.
Read MoreThis week I have a simplified compilation of one liners to share with you. These statements have kept me going many days and have been a huge encouragement to me through the long years of CPS pain.
Life with chronic pain, near death experiences and lessons learned:
Resist the impulse of helplessness.
Never let familiarity steal your ability to absorb.
Read MoreBeing in constant pain can be detrimental to our emotional and mental well-being. Sometimes I feel that I shouldn’t be sad and I think to myself, “when is enough actually enough?”
Read More"That's why you can never relax . . . you feel guilty if you think you're wasting time." -Wayne Jacobsen
This quote has been blowing my mind and is having me rethink what a waste of time is and what a necessary part of a process is. I'll be honest, I've felt guilty about not being nearly as productive as I'd like to be while having CPS.
Read MoreJust because you are constantly hurting doesn’t mean you can’t follow your dreams. Being in pain 24/7 can be destructive to a person’s physical, mental, or emotional health. It helps to have goals or something that makes you excited. Life can be a roller coaster with things changing constantly.
Read MoreCelebrate progress, no matter how fast or slow the pace.
Each of us is on our own journey to health and wholeness, no matter how bumpy the road looks along the way. I have found that one of the best things you can give a person is the prerogative to their own process in their own timing.
Read MoreEveryone has been asked to rate their pain on a scale from 1-10 whether you have chronic pain, or you just fell. When you are asked the first time you basically know what number to choose, but really it is all subjective.
Read MoreI was that person who would "never be able to do that".
Never be able to not pass out from getting my blood drawn, never be able to handle being massaged or adjusted, never be able to get shots, or give shots, or even look at a needle for that matter. Never be able to go under anesthesia for surgery and never be able to wait long hours for a pain to come and go.
Read More“Ugh, I feel so old”, said a 20-year old.
That statement can be heard from many young adults, this writer included. I have heard many people say, “Oh quit complaining, you are so young” or, “Oh to be young again” and even, “When I was your age…” …get the picture?
Read MoreLike the foggy weather, it seemed to blow in from nowhere.
I couldn't think of words I wanted to say. I knew what I wanted to say, but it felt like there was a disconnect from my brain to my mouth.
Read MoreI wish I could paint a picture with my words to adequately describe life with chronic pain and a “life sentence” diagnosis. We are not the words that doctors use to explain our conditions. We believe it wasn't supposed to be like this. We are told that we are beautiful and normal looking and friends who haven't seen us for many months think we are doing and looking great.
Read MoreDear Loved Ones,
Thank you for being with us through our bad days, our even worse days and the sparingly good moments. The day to day grind of just getting through the day can be so overwhelming that we forget how hard it can be for our loved ones. We may not thank you enough out loud, but we so appreciate everything you do for us.
Read MoreIt's a fabulous sunny day here in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, and I'm feeling in pretty good spirits because it's a low pain day for me.
For this week's blog post I thought I would share some of the insights I've gained from my own experience with Central Pain Syndrome.
Read MoreAsk anyone who is in the world of illness and they'll tell you the truth: it isn't easy.
I have been challenged with Central Pain Syndrome and quite frankly, it’s flipping my world upside down. It's teaching me how to listen without prejudging, share without expectations and love without concern for my own comfort.
Read MoreWhen you are constantly in pain to the point that you would rather cut off every limb because it would probably be less painful, the last thing you want to hear is, “it’s in your head, move on with your life” or, “you don’t look sick.” It can be detrimental to your mental health and well being to constantly feel that you aren’t being believed.
Read MoreHi, I'm Kathy,
Thanks for stopping by.
This blog is here to teach you a few things you may not know, to share what pain is and isn't. To inspire you, and to encourage you to tap into your potential to change your experience.
What is happiness?
Aristotle said that happiness was the only thing that man wanted for which he could give no reason.
Read MoreEver since I was a little girl, I was picked on and called names like string bean, daddy long legs, shrimp or toothpick. I remember feeling more sorry for the people feeling the need to call me these things than I did for myself. I was happy with my body. I was a strong athlete in gymnastics, tennis, and dressage. I used my skinniness to my advantage to reach under sofas, sleep under my own bed frame, dart between crowds and reach to the high cabinet.
Read MoreDear World,
I am one of millions in the world with a chronic condition called Central Pain Syndrome. It is one of the most painful conditions and there is currently no cure. Many people who suffer are in such tremendous pain that it sometimes feels as though they are burning, freezing, being stabbed or torn.
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