Chronic pain is often a big part of chronic illnesses. People with Fibromyalgia, arthritis, RSD. neuropathy, migraines, and many other diseases have pain as a symptom. It is so difficult to put into words what it is like to feel pain every day of your life. To hurt all or most of the time, and still function is so difficult that some people cannot get through without narcotics.

If you feel the effects of the narcotic drugs, like fatigue, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion then you are most often unable to do things like drive, go shopping, take part in social activities, etc. You are not hurting but your life is severely changed for the worse.

I will not ever put down people who need pain medication. I have been at that point in my life and I can empathize. I do want to say though that I no longer use pain meds. After realizing that I was missing so much of my life being in a daze I talked to my doctor and said I needed to find a different way to cope.

I now take medications that ease my pain but are not narcotics. I have learned to stretch my muscles to ease tension and pain. I avoid things, as much as possible that cause me to hurt or I work around them. My mental attitude toward pain has changed dramatically too. Instead of focusing on it, I now keep my mind occupied on other things.

Please understand that I still hurt and it can get very bad still. There are times that I do call my doctor for a prescription for pain meds. I’m not saying that anyone should suffer. I do suggest that if you along with your doctor agree that you can try to find a new way to cope, then go for it!

I look at it this way – My life is full of memories on tape drives. I don’t want to miss out on them because I”m too zonked to take part in them or remember them. I want to be a part of everything that life gives me. I hurt a lot. It has become a part of my life. If it gets worse I deal with it. If it’s my “normal” stuff I just keep on going. I want to live my life to the fullest!

I love jewelery especially earrings. Pearls are one of my favorite type of “good” jewelery to wear when I’m going somewhere formal. The good thing about pearls though is that you can wear them as casual wear too. Freshwater pearls are very popular now. They are recognized for their beauty and luster. Those that are round are the best quality.

I made a video about the earrings I received. It is tongue in cheek. I hope you enjoy the humor behind it.

As much as I love people who have chronic illnesses like me and can understand their need to continue doing as much as they can as long as they can, there does come a time when you have to call it quits. I am stubborn and don’t like to give in so I can sympathize with people who don’t want to use a can or a walker. I understand when someone wants to do their own housework even if they pay for it after. Yes I get it… up until the point where you are going to hurt other people with your decisions and actions.

If you are too sick to drive, please talk to your doctor about it. Talk to your family and really consider the consequences of your actions. Just because you have a driver’s license and auto insurance doesn’t mean it’s OK to put your and other people’s lives in danger.

I’ve seen people with vision problems, with arthritis so bad they can’t turn their neck, with MS so bad they are unable to move quickly enough still driving. Think of what may happen and act on it.