Episode 16: How can I live with chronic pain?

EPISODE SUMMARY

Thanks for joining co-hosts Kara-Kae James and Elizabeth Oates for another Episode of Asking for a Friend. This week we are tackling a health and wellness topic and answering the question , “How can I live with chronic pain?”

THE LITTLE THINGS

In every episode we start out by talking about the little things in life. 

Kara-Kae talked about how she and her family got away for about 10 days over the Christmas break and played tons of games with the kids.

Elizabeth talked about her favorite Christmas present, which was a comfy.

THE CONVERSATION

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts more than 12 weeks.

Elizabeth talked about her experience of dealing with chronic migraines for the past 33 years.

Kara-Kae also shared her story of dealing with chronic migraines and chronic nerve pain.

Interesting facts about chronic pain:

  • 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain

  • #1 cause of long-term disability

  • Affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined

  • Costs around $600 billion per year in medical treatments and lost productivity

Examples of chronic pain:

  • migraines

  • nerve pain

  • fibromyalgia

  • diabetic neuropathy

  • endometriosis

  • depression

  • joint pain

  • plantar fasciatis

  • back pain

There are things we can do to prevent chronic pain:

  • Maintaining a healthy lifestyle

    • healthy diet

    • exercise

    • maintaining healthy weight

    • good sleep

    • lower stress

    • good posture

Treatments for chronic pain:

  • medication

  • surgery

  • lifestyle changes

  • exercise (walk, yoga, etc.)

  • oils

  • massage therapy

  • acupuncture

  • physical therapy

  • counseling

  • support groups

If you’re dealing with chronic pain, Kara-Kae encourages people to ask for help, talk to someone, and go see a doctor.

For those who have loved one or friend dealing with chronic pain, Elizabeth encourages you to not try to understand their pain, but to accept what they’re telling you as truth. You’ll never be able to understand their pain, but you can support them. She also encourages people who are dealing with chronic pain to always search for treatment options until they find something that works.

RESOURCES TO REFRAME OUR THINKING

Elizabeth watched the movie The Joker and said it delivers a tough message about mental illness.


Kara-Kae just read a book called Miracles and Other Reasonable Things by Sarah Bessey, which tells the story of Sarah living with chronic pain after a car accident.

Kara-Kae JamesComment