Pain - How Do You Deal?

I can't speak for the pain, but you should really learn how to let someone else clean the house, even if it's not as perfect as you would like. I had to learn how to do that when I hired a cleaning lady, many years ago. And she did a good job. I finally came to the conclusion that some help was better than none at all, even if the result was less than perfect.

Give up perfection. Your life will be easier.

My mom has sclerederma (an autoimmune disease in the same family as the ones you are being tested for), among many other ailments, and suffers from significant pain on a daily basis. She takes about 20 pills every day and wouldn't be able to get out of bed without them. Even with the medications she still has a lot of pain and limited mobility. She has one of the highest tolerances for pain of anyone I've ever seen. To be honest, I'm not sure how she does it. She maintains a very positive attitude and doesn't let her pain interfere with the things she really wants to do (sometimes contrary to what her family wants her to do). She stays busy. For example, right now she is on a safari in Africa. She does have someone clean her house. My dad found a cleaning lady for her a couple of years ago and that has been a huge help. I've heard there are foods and diets that help with the pain caused by inflammation. Maybe you could Google that. Once you are diagnosed and they get the right combination of medications that might be a big relief. My mom also exercises in water to reduce the stress on the joints--you might try that or yoga. An older man in my yoga class has Parkinson's and goes to yoga everyday. He said his mobility would be really limited without the daily yoga. I think it's important to keep moving as much as possible. There are also chronic pain counselors and support groups. Good luck.

I have read, in "Prevention" magazine, that Tumeric helps pain. Even for Arthritis. It comes in capsules. Found at health food stores.
They say it very effective.

Perhaps, is there any kind of community support group, that can help? For you. And perhaps your Fiance can attend one to... how to deal with a loved one who is in constant pain, etc.
Because, coping with it for you, and how a loved one copes... is real hard for all involved.
As you said, he's had to deal with his Mom, and now you, who have a lot of pain. He probably NEEDS some sort of support group, to help.
Anyone would.
He is a caregiver in a sense.
It is hard too.
He is human.
I did caregiving for my late Dad. And, its stressful, seeing them in pain. Everyday.

Perhaps, suggest this to him. So he can manage too.
And maybe it will help the both of you.

some days are just better than others and my husband has come to learn that with me. he knows somedays the house will be a mess and others he comes home and its spotless. he has to b caring enough to realize it will ge tdone but 2 out of 7 days are just going to be rough.

Pinched siatic nerve and 3 buldging discs...doctor highly recommends not to have surgrey. Pop pills...that's all I can do. He said it may get better in about a year and a half!!! No comfort at all.

For me, some days are definitely better than others.
As a single working mother, sometimes I just have to keep going for fear if I stop or slow down I won't get back up to speed again.

I've had complications from shingles that I first broke out with when I was pregnant with my son. I have postherpatic neuralgia, meaning that the pain never really goes away. I've been on seizure medication since 1998. It does something in the brain as far as sending pain signals to the nerves. It definitely helps, but some days I'm in so much pain in my chest and back that brushing my hair or putting on a shirt is pretty miserable. Heating pads help, but I can't be on one all day long.

I would ask your physician if there is a pain management clinic near you. We have a wonderful program in my county that is basically a travelling support group and it's for people who suffer from chronic pain. They help you find ways to manage it both physically and emotionally. It's completely free.
Because you are so young, I would suggest finding something like this to help you manage life, home, relationship, etc in spite of pain.
Chronic pain really can do a number on you, so like I said, see if you can find any support groups in your area. It may help you feel like you are moving in a positive direction and not alone in your situation.

Best wishes to you.

I have fibromyalgia and I also suffer from a different chronic pain disorder that they cannot name. I've found that when I feel like I can tolerate or handle it I work out, even if all I do is stretch because in spite of it hurting and causing me pain to do so I'm in worse pain if I don't. I use lots of heat and deep breathing. I'm in pain 24/7/365 nothing ever takes it all away. I have constant headaches, chest pain, and other issues. I'm relatively young, 28 and have been managing all of this for about 9 years.

I ask for help as hard as that is I do all of the time. I have my 8 year old help out when I need to and my husband of course does as well. I write things down about how I'm feeling often. Even though it doesn't relieve physical pain it does help with the psychological pains that accompany chronic pain. I've found relating to others who are in similar situations can help ease the tension, depression and whole other slue of emotional issues.

I truly feel that your emotional and spiritual self need to be taken care in order to help your physical self manage the pain. I'm not on any type of pain medications but I'm opposed to them as they do often help others, look into them with your doctors as there are more than just narcotics. Please forgive typos and such my hands are tight and swollen a bit rihg tnow. Best of luck to you.