From Medication to Meditation: Living with Chronic Pain

Living with chronic pain can be a daunting and isolating experience. As someone who has experienced chronic pain for over a decade, I have tried myriad medications and therapies to find relief. From opioids to anti-inflammatory meds to nerve pain medications, I have endeavored to find a solution to alleviate my pain.

The Start of My Pain Journey

My pain journey began at the age of 18, following a car accident. Initially, I was given pain medications and told that the pain would subside as my injuries healed. However, the pain never went away. I was eventually diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, and my treatment regimen began to include medications designed to mitigate these conditions.

Initially, I felt that medication was the only way to manage my chronic pain. However, as I was prescribed an increasing number of medications, I began to experience side effects that also needed to be managed. I began to feel that I was living a medicated life, rather than living my life.

Exploring Alternative Approaches to Pain Management

Eventually, I began to explore alternative approaches to managing my pain. I began with yoga, which helped to relax my body and mind. From there, I began to attend meditation classes and learned about mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR).

The practice of mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. For me, this means accepting the sensations of pain in my body without attaching to them. When I experience pain, I acknowledge it but try not to become consumed by it. Rather than resisting the pain, I embrace it and attempt to accept it as a part of my overall experience.

A New Way of Living

Living with chronic pain is never easy, but I have found that by incorporating mindfulness and meditation into my life, I am better equipped to manage my symptoms. While medication is still a part of my treatment regimen, I am no longer solely reliant on it. I have learned to use meditation and yoga as a way to cope with my chronic pain and have found that I am better able to adapt to my circumstances with these practices in my life.

If you are living with chronic pain, I encourage you to explore alternative approaches to pain management. While medication may be part of your treatment, it doesn't have to be the be-all and end-all. By incorporating mindfulness and meditation into your life, you can begin to live more fully and reduce your dependence on medications.