Concentration

[sportsnut3007]

Im sure everybody here feels this, but I just find it hard to concentrate on every day living since all of this started. I know i cant change the past, but I feel like I am in a nightmare and going to wake up and be normal. I see people on tv and just think how nice it is to be normal/pain free most likely. I see my parents watch television and laugh, and I am just not in the mood to laugh. I used to love watching college football, but now it is just not the same. My health is always on my mind no matter what im doing. Again, I am sure we all think this, but I just felt like ranting.

[Katie]

Rant away Yes, we all feel like this at least part of the time. Some people who really don't understand will try to tell you to 'get over it' or some such thing. I just figure that their day will come

For the past two years, I was consumed with trying to win an appeal with my Insurance. Now that I've almost given up on that, it is actually a relief. My directions have changed, as I now have to find a custom disc for my problems, but at least I've stopped being angry. I didn't realize quite how much energy it was taking.

So no, don't try to get over it, but do try to find something every day that gives you pleasure. Easier said than done, I know. Even if it is a bowlful of Hagen Daz ice cream...make it last as long as you can

[Justin]

Im sure everybody here feels this, but I just find it hard to concentrate on every day living since all of this started. I know i cant change the past, but I feel like I am in a nightmare and going to wake up and be normal. I see people on tv and just think how nice it is to be normal/pain free most likely. I see my parents watch television and laugh, and I am just not in the mood to laugh. I used to love watching college football, but now it is just not the same. My health is always on my mind no matter what im doing. Again, I am sure we all think this, but I just felt like ranting.

Hi SN. Pain is distracting no matter how you cut it. I am able to concentrate more now that I am off of my narcotic medications. My advice is to focus on what you can and don't focus on the "what ifs" of life. I know this is easier said than done. Try and take things a day at a time.

[Cindylou]

Hi Sportsnut, yes....I totally agree with Katie and Justin. Sometimes you do need to rant. Get it off your chest. Lighten your load, so to speak. And definitely, like Justin suggested, try to focus on "what you can," not "what you can't." I do think, when our pain is new, or we just had "the accident," or whatever it was that started the vicious cycle of chronic pain, that we go through different stages of pain, anger, grief, etc. I honestly do. So, what I am saying is, it is very normal to feel what your are feeling at this moment. And that's where all of us come in. We need each other to process everything we are going through. Tap into "us." It's the best support system. I swear. I get lifted up here better than any therapy appointment....and a whole lot cheaper too!

[Justin]

Hi Sportsnut, yes....I totally agree with Katie and Justin. Sometimes you do need to rant. Get it off your chest. Lighten your load, so to speak. And definitely, like Justin suggested, try to focus on "what you can," not "what you can't." I do think, when our pain is new, or we just had "the accident," or whatever it was that started the vicious cycle of chronic pain, that we go through different stages of pain, anger, grief, etc. I honestly do. So, what I am saying is, it is very normal to feel what your are feeling at this moment. And that's where all of us come in. We need each other to process everything we are going through. Tap into "us." It's the best support system. I swear. I get lifted up here better than any therapy appointment....and a whole lot cheaper too!

CL, your post about going through the "stages of grief" is spot on. Sharing and supporting one another is key.

[KBear]

I second everyone above as well. It is definitely a grieving process. You grieve the old you, what you had planned for your life. Feel free to rant to us, we get it and have all been there and will be there again, it's normal.