This article hit home for me: I was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome at the age of 14 which turned my life upside down. I had operations in both arms, but after a few years the pressure came back and the doctors wanted to keep operating and 'cutting' me up, I decided against it and instead sought alternative therapies. Due to the Compartment Syndrome I developed fibromyalgia, which is simple chronic pain. At my worst I couldn't even pick up a glass cup because the muscles in my arms and shoulders were so inflamed the limbs stopped working.
I had chronic fatigue because my muscles were so tight they would never relax even when I slept, my digestive system was not working at all, I was in constant pain every day, not able to do much around the house or at work. I couldn't exert any effort to exercise, mentally I was giving up as well and the doctors cleared me for disability benefits. My future wasn't looking too bright. I was also very closed up about telling people, since I didn't physically look sick; most people couldn't understand what was wrong with me, so they'd make jokes if I made comments about pain, I remember one girl I worked with suggested I must have aids because I was sick all the time. Over time I became withdrawn and depressed, retreating from the world.
I do think most people take their health for granted. You truly do not appreciate how much you have until you lose it. Some days I would wake up and take a breath - if my chest didn't feel like it was about to rip open, then I consider that a bearable day. I was so lucky that when I was 21 I found a natural healer who guided me on a path towards healing, from the inside out, emotionally and mentally first, until I was in a much better place. Then in 2010, I came across Bikram Yoga and that changed my life. Since then I haven't looked back.
The pain now is more manageable and there are still good and bad days but overall my life has improved so much. I can definitely relate to this article and it's not just chronic pain, but anyone who has ever had an injury, or has experienced pain, I think it makes us more compassionate and sympathetic to others, so there's always a silver lining!!
I do think most people take their health for granted. You truly do not appreciate how much you have until you lose it. Some days I would wake up and take a breath - if my chest didn't feel like it was about to rip open, then I consider that a bearable day. I was so lucky that when I was 21 I found a natural healer who guided me on a path towards healing, from the inside out, emotionally and mentally first, until I was in a much better place. Then in 2010, I came across Bikram Yoga and that changed my life. Since then I haven't looked back.
The pain now is more manageable and there are still good and bad days but overall my life has improved so much. I can definitely relate to this article and it's not just chronic pain, but anyone who has ever had an injury, or has experienced pain, I think it makes us more compassionate and sympathetic to others, so there's always a silver lining!!
