Suffering from chronic pain is like winning the bad lottery. It invades your life and robs the quality before your very eyes. It’s bad enough when the pain comes from old injuries you thought were healed long ago, such as arthritis resulting from breaking fingers on the playground back in elementary school. But many people, even young people, suffer from chronic pain and have no diagnosis, despite being subjected to numerous diagnostic tests.
The frustration of suffering from pain that cannot be diagnosed is unimaginable. And what is probably worst of all, patients are often prescribed painkillers to ease the discomfort. Yet these types of drugs are not always effective and most of them have unwanted side effects.
Illnesses and disorders associated with chronic pain have become known as “hidden illnesses.” Well-known examples like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, lower back pain, and chronic headaches are a few of these conditions. However, it doesn’t end there. Even allergies belong on this list—they can cause terrible discomfort from difficulty breathing, itchiness, and dizziness to abdominal pains, cramps, and diarrhea.
Individuals suffering from chronic pain often must take matters into their own hands so it does not dominate their lives, and a good place to start is the World Wide Web. InvisAbilities.org promotes awareness and education, and supports people living with chronic illnesses. This website is packed with valuable information, and addresses misconceptions about chronic pain. A few include:
- There is no diagnosis, it must be in her head.
- He doesn’t look sick to me. He’s just making excuses.
- She says she has no energy? That’s just laziness.
- You never eat with us, you must think you’re better than us.
When someone who is already worn out from dealing with chronic pain continually hears these negative remarks, it can be demoralizing and debilitating. If you or someone you know suffers from chronic pain, especially if it’s a hidden illness, know that help is out there. Get educated, locate resources, get support. It’s one way to protect yourself when chronic pain comes like a thief in the night.