How do we cope with pain?

[corrine298]

How do we feel pain. Is it physiological. Can we use our mind to control the pain. For example placebos, most patiensts dont realise that they take a placebo and they claim it works/ How? How do we block out pain to help us cope with it?

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. Pain is a complex multidimensional perception varying in quality, strength, duration, location and unpleasantness. The strength and unpleasantness is neither simply not directly related to the nature and extent of tissue damage. Pain experiences may range from inability to perceive it, regardless of the strength of stimulation, to the actual perception of pain. The perception of, expression of and reaction to pain are influenced by genetic, developmental, familial, psychological, social and cultural variables. Psychological factors like situational and emotional factors that exist when we experience pain can affect the strength of these perceptions greatly. Understanding, control and expectations can affect pain perceptions. So pain understanding requires both the understanding of the nociceptive system but also recognition and control of many environmental and psychological factors.  Foremost you need a psychiatrist’s counseling to help you understand and deal with pain. Take care.

[Angel_Faces_Mom]

Find a good female NP, have her listen to you, talk to her about everything.  After almost 10 years of not getting heard by doctors, I happened to get an appointment with an NP for a sinus infection and liked her so much I've seen her for everything since.  She has been a life saver.  I have suffered for 7 years from head pain no one "find" any reason for; she has, and my head pain is under control without pain med.  I have had leg cramps and back/flank pain for several months, come to find out I have several large kidney stones,  my gallbladder was not working, and also severe degenerative disc disease in my lumbar spine (despite surgery 20 years ago).  Got the kidney stones removed, gallbladder removed and am scheduled to see a neurosurgeon about the back.  Instead of getting pain medication (which I almost became addicted to!) thrown at me by my current (non-listening) doctor, I now have a diagnosis and treatments.  I have hope again, and because of her, I have trust in the medical profession again.

One of the other NP's I saw when mine was absent due to illness once actually told me the subject matter of a recent seminar she went to where was teaching the NP's to do what doctors do.  Say things that MAKE the patient THINK they are listening to you, but get out of there as soon as possible.  She couldn't believe it, I couldn't believe it.  But then I realized with every MD I have seen over the last 10 years or so, it's like they are moving cattle through their offices.  They don't listen anymore.  

As far as chronic pain, I know how consuming it can be.  I pray A LOT, and use a heating pad A LOT.  I walk it out; I do a lot of pacing.  When it's in the middle of the night, I lay on a heating pad and I read to get my mind off it because it really can consume your thoughts.  I hope you can find answers and relief.