The Plateau…  

I’m sure you’ll understand my frustration then that the pain has now gone from extreme-but-understandable to extreme-but-whacko. CRPS/RSD is such a random little devil! One minute under control, the next minute out - and as far as my pain management team and I can tell, triggered by nothing. I was doing so well and now my pain is off the charts. Horrific. It’s a modern-day independent woman, and Honey, ain’t nothin’ holding her back.

I’ve had to unfortunately schedule another 3-day Ketamine Infusion when I go to my doctor in Chicago in 3 weeks time. I’m (as always) beyond nervous about the ketamine, but (as always) giving positive visualization and meditation my best go. Of course, prayers always help very much as well, and I always appreciate help in this department! 

So, how can I stay positive to get past this stage?

Of course, I’m sure you’ll remember (if not, click here) that ultimately it is so, so, so CRUCIAL that even in the most painful of my ‘plateau’ moments I still have to keep going with my physical therapy program. After all, the whole point of it is to reset my sympathetic nervous system, teaching it that responding to activity with extreme pain is the wrong reaction. 

I feel tremendous pain. There’s no fooling anyone - it is TOUGH to keep on going! I’d like to take that above-mentioned Superwoman cape and curl right on up in it for a great big nap. It’s important to note that things aren’t just rough physically, but mentally also. Motivation is the key to physicality and it’s darn near impossible to find any when buried under a mountain of pain. Let’s face it, without the right thought process I could easily be on a one-way road to Negativeville and a word I previously thought I’d never even begin to think of using - ‘quitting’. 

So, where does the inspiration and positivity to keep going come from..?

Well, as I said early on in the program, I sincerely do not want to be in pain anymore. I really do want to see if this works! This is to my benefit and to my benefit only - if I cheat or sell myself short, it’s only going to (literally!) hurt me. I know that most exercise programs have a plateau so it’s logical that this one would too, you know? Furthermore, I’m proud to say that so far, I’ve managed to put in the work and to do something everyday. As a(n almost stupidly) competitive person, this provides even more inspiration, as I don’t want to waste all of the work I’ve put in! Simple. The program calls for 6 weeks of work, not for 3 weeks. I’m halfway there and man, is it killing me! But at the end of it, at least I can say, “I tried that and it wasn’t for me”… or maybe (hopefully!) even, “That was my Golden Ticket! I recommend you try that too.”

Finally, I can’t stress enough how much y’all inspire me each and every single day!!! I LOVE hearing from you, especially at times like this! From absolutely incredible stories of healing, to a simple ‘hello’ from kind and thoughtful strangers not even suffering Chronic Pain - every connection makes my day and is sure to put a smile on my face :) Pain is an incredibly debilitating and often isolating ailment - messages make it much less so, while providing constant support. Get in touch! *Contact details may be found in the yellow box to your left under ‘Tweet & Email’. I read every single word. It may take a little extra time for me to get back to you around painful times, but I ultimately always do.

NOW TELL ME: HAVE YOU HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE? WHETHER OR NOT YOU SUFFER FROM CHRONIC PAIN, WHERE DO YOU FIND THE STRENGTH & MOTIVATION TO GET OVER YOUR OWN PLATEAUS? 

Happy Friday! As always, be well and pain free!

Danielle xx