ThePainStore.com Incredible Informative Collection

A Pain Sufferer, Turned Advocate! <b>Where It All Began</b><br><br> My struggle with pain began in 1999. Over time, even with multiple surgeries, physical therapy and every treatment known to man, it just wasn't getting any better... <i>MAN, WAS I WORRIED!</i> I could've just laid down and played dead. Believe me, at times, I wanted to. Through a very bizarre set of circumstances that <i>I do NOT believe was mere chance or coincidence</i>, I happened upon a <i>wonderful</i> doctor... and <i>supportive</i> fellow patients. <b><i>Finally--answers! A diagnosis! And, HOPE, for a change!</i></b> <b>A Diagnosis</b><br><br> I can say without a doubt that 2007 was the turning point for me. I was diagnosed with <b>Degenerative Disc Disease</b> and <b>Peripheral Neuropathy</b>. These, in turn, caused my whopper of a diagnosis: <b>Intractable Pain</b>. What does that gobble-dee-gook mean? <i>Constant, severe pain... combined with numbness and sometimes feelings like being set on fire or thrown into a freezer. Damaged nerves--they're loads of fun!</i> <b>Acceptance</b><br><br> It was hard to swallow. For the longest time, I didn't want to believe it was true. Little by little, I knew that it was. There was no other explanation for what I was going through. <i><b>More than seven years in constant pain is just not natural!</b></i> So, I chose to accept it... And, even though Intractable Pain is a scary diagnosis, it's a relief to finally know what the HECK is going on. And, then, of course, you can do something about it. <b>Pain Management</b><br><br> From that point on, I used every ounce of strength I had to continue <u>fighting the good fight</u>. Did my best to follow my doctor's advice to the letter... Talked to pain patients, got support, advice, help of every imaginable way. Through that process, I've made some incredible friends and rebuilt my support system. I'm practically back to my old self.... Though, I will always be in pain. <i>No changing that.</i> Even so, now, <b>my pain is M-A-N-A-G-E-D!</b> Instead of screaming in pain all day, every day, I use the good times to DO SOMETHING I consider important.... Maybe not doing the dishes or cleaning the bathroom. But, things that are meaningful. <b>Building A New Life</b><br><br> My priorities have definitely changed. I tried for some time to get back to a regular 9 to 5 job. That wasn't going to happen. Believe me, I really tried! So, I had to decide what to do next.... I settled on building a web site with natural & over-the-counter products that have helped me. I launched ThePainStore.com in 2009. <b>Advocacy</b><br><br> For me, 2010 was a very big year! Using what I know about pain, I began to blog. I talked about being a pain patient and the issues we all face. That naturally translated into advocacy. Yes, I've become an Advocate. Helping to guide others on their journey has become very important to me. <b><i>Why?</i> No one was there for me at the beginning. It was far scarier, more difficult and even physically painful than it should've been for me.</b> I was so lucky to find some great pain patients to help me, even though it was 7 years into my journey! Through these friends, I joined two nonprofit pain organizations. Actually, I more than just <i>joined</i> them. I've become an active, contributing member. I do what I can to support others with severe chronic pain, through these groups. They are: Intractable Pain Patients United (www.ippu.info) and For Grace, a nonprofit focused on women in pain (www.forgrace.org). I've volunteered my time and energy to each group. IPPU's web site needed to be built, didn't it? :) And, I even joined fellow female pain patients on a panel: "Lifting the Curtain on Pain" at the 3rd Annual For Grace Conference! Yes, 2010 was busy! It's not over yet. Recently, I've been working with a BIG organization, to become a Leader in California... !! Why, if I am in so much pain, am I doing SO MUCH? <i>Simple. <b>Because it has to be done!</i></b> <b>Why We Fight So Hard For Pain Sufferers</b><br><br> People like me get often get lost in the system. There really is no understanding when it comes to LIVING IN PAIN. <i>Everyone seems to believe that if you are in pain, you get treatment and are healed.</i> <u>Sadly, that isn't always true</u>. So, I'm trying to do my part to get the word out, like so many strong, wonderful, hard-working pain patients I know! <b>Start YOUR Journey: Right Here, Right Now</b><br><br> And, now... I am launching this site; another avenue for expression, understanding and, well... education! A WORD OF ADVICE: If you know someone in pain, <i>please</i>, before you judge them, since you cannot walk a mile in their shoes... Just, take their word for it. If you think about it, it's not that hard to do. <i>Why would anyone WANT to be part of a group that is constantly disrespected? Treated with suspicion? Accused of being liars? Or worse, addicts?</i> Think about it! Please! And, while you are at it, check out the fun products on this site. I may be in pain, but my sense of humor is intact. Believe me, I need it to live through this!! <b>Dedicated to Pain Patients Everywhere</b><br><br> <b><i>TO ALL MY FELLOW PAIN SUFFERERS: NEVER GIVE UP. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. EVEN IF WE NEVER MEET AND YOU DON'T PURCHASE A DARN THING ON THIS SITE, KNOW THAT I CARE, I HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL AND I WILL FIGHT FOR ALLLLL OF US UNTIL THE WAR AGAINST PAIN PATIENTS IS FINALLY OVER! :) </b></i> Oh.... and you are welcome to fight with me, side by side, until every last person on Earth knows what it's like to have Intractable Pain!