Posted: 28 May 2010 at 4:51pm | IP Logged

Hi Everybody,

This is my first post. I have been reading the posts over the past while and want to thank people for sharing their experiences, I don't feel so alone when reading the posts. I have chronic pain since 1987 as result of car accident, and have been a member of chronic pain association for a long time. I  am lucky in that I do get days when I am not in bad pain as well as very bad days.  I am finding the isolation very hard to cope with. It is getting harder to relate to healthy people, or maybe i am tired trying. Thanks again for the help I get from posts. Bye for now.

Posted: 31 May 2010 at 8:46am | IP Logged

Hi Daffodil,

Welcome to the site.  I am only on the forum since January and I find it a great help.  I find most people post under the heading "Discussions" so do put up a post there if you've anything specific you want to talk about.

The isolation is difficult all right.  I've had my pain for 11 years now and it can be very isolating.  I've got to the stage now that I avoid the people who don't want to understand. Listening to them is not good for my health.  Yes it means I've fewer friends but at least I know the friends I have are understanding (well as understanding as they can be). 

I used to be shy about asking people to call over or meet with me, now I'll text them before they text me so that I can make arrangements on my terms.  For example, people used to ring me and say do you want to come here, do you want to come there and I would find that more often than not I'd end up saying no as they would organise a place that just wouldn't be comfortable for me.  Now I try and get in first asking them are they free to come to a place of my choosing, where I know I'll be as comfortable as is possible under the circumstances and if they say no then they can't be blaming me for not being sociable!!

Anyway, welcome again. We are here to chat whenever we are able.

Posted: 31 May 2010 at 9:29pm | IP Logged

Hi Paula,

Welcome Daffodil, hope you get some relief from talking to us lot we ain't so bad at all, we all know what it's like to be in Pain and we also know what's it's like to be a newcomer.   If we're not around for a while, in my own case, It means I can't cope with myself, but I do get back.   Don't feel it's cos we don't care, we do, I know all about isolation, it's a major problem for mean.

Take care.

Only me, Stan (Noeleen)

Posted: 01 June 2010 at 12:09am | IP Logged

HI  all,i have reading your posts for the past weeks,got the courage to write.Ihave a chronic back for years,Three surgeries  

Posted: 04 June 2010 at 8:31pm | IP Logged

Hi  Everybody,

Thank You for all the replies and welcomes.

Thank You Paula for the advice I will certainly take it on board.

Best Wishes to all

Posted: 08 June 2010 at 3:06pm | IP Logged

Hi Everyone,

Glad you  found us, we are here for each other, sometimes we're all fairly OK, more often than not so, but it helps to talk, if only for a bit of craic, Wired and I are the main messers, I think, but nothig personal, yet we have ever met but we can have a laugh from time to time even if it's with each other, not at, but then you need to ask Phil.

Regards to all.

Only me, Noeleen (Stan)

Posted: 09 June 2010 at 11:39pm | IP Logged

Hi Noeleen, hope you dont mind me writing to you.I have read a lot of your posts,like you my first op failed 2 more to follow last one 2 years ago. you have a great way of writing ,still able to laugh,i find it easier to deal with things .Thanks again to all . Iam a new member.

 Helen