What CRPS is and how you can help bring awareness…
What happens when your world is turned upside down and you go from having it all to almost losing everything? I’m talking about when your physical, mental and emotional health is challenged. I’m speaking when those who you never thought would leave you turn their backs on you because you’re no longer in a position to help them in the capacity they see fit. That’s what happened to me. My world had been turned upside down from a work accident and I was diagnosed with a disorder I had never heard of. In honor of tomorrow being the first of November and it being the start of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) month I felt it was so necessary to give you guys perspective from someone who lives with it. First things first complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic pain that occurs after surgery, a stroke, injury or a heart attack. It so rare that there are less that 200,000 cases in the united states per year. It can happen to women, men, and children yet not many know what it is or how to treat it. It is said to basically be incurable with a very small number of remission cases. The symptoms range from swollen fingers and joint to inflammation in your body to feelings of pins, tingling, and a burning sensation. Even still many are misdiagnosed like myself. I personally had an injury and following say 25 doctors in one year all telling me that it was all in my mind and that I was imagining it. Which is one of the worst things you can do to someone with any type of illness because although we respect the background of medical officials everyone knows their body. The second worse thing you can do to someone with chronic pain or any type of illness is to ask “are you better yet?” or suggest that it can’t be that bad. Trust me, it is that bad! The pain is consistent and it never stops. We face pain that regular people couldn’t even imagine dealing with and most of us do it with a smile and minimal complaining. Everyday is a struggle because from the moment you are diagnosed everything changes. There’s only the new normal that no one understands unless you’re in that position. Your body literally feels as though it’s attacking itself and there’s absolutely nothing that you can do about it. People don’t understand so they don’t know how to comfort you or even become empathetic. It can be a lonely feeling and a lonely journey because you feel alone. Most of the people you thought would be there start to treat you as though you’re a burden when all you need is for them to understand that you’re doing the best that you can with the circumstances that you’ve been given. This is why I encourage any and everyone to research CRPS and other invisible illness and to also have patience and sympathy for those with them and chronic pain. I also encourage you to wear something orange in the month of November to show support and to help gain awareness for someone who is fighting through this everyday. Remember one simple action can impact someone’s life for the better.
Here’s a few tips to help:
- Research! Research and Research some more
- Understand that they’re not lazy, a hypochondriac or faking. Be empathetic!
- DON’T tell them it can’t be that bad!
- Wear orange for someone with it!
- Understand that they’re human just as you are and don’t want to be seen as a burden or a charity case!
Thank you,
The face of CRPS :)
