In this episode of the Recovery Rebirth Podcast we continue our conversation about health issues, focusing on chronic pain. 

Jillian shares about her recent experience with a major surgery, anxiety that ensued and her recovery process. The surgery didn’t go quite as planned which impacted her recovery time. She found that her mind was frustrated with her physical limitations after surgery. She was able to spend a few weeks with her daughter who came to support her in her recovery, which was a tremendous blessing. 

Dom details his experience developing shingles, which has been a very painful, protracted condition. He’s been experiencing chronic pain for a month. And unfortunately, with shingles, there aren’t any great treatments for pain, it’s a matter of waiting it out. While unrelenting pain has tested his sobriety, he’s leaned into his program. And he’s working  with his healthcare practitioners who are aware that he’s in recovery.

It was yet another opportunity to practice acceptance of something we were powerless over, in this case, our bodies. While we try to live One Day at a Time, during the physical recovery from our health issues, sometimes it’s been one moment at a time.

We also discuss the issue with access to pain medication due to the opioid addiction crisis. So people suffering from chronic pain who can’t get opiods will turn to street drugs and overdose. Taking painkillers away completely isn’t the answer, there needs to be a balanced approach with the prescribing.

If you are dealing with chronic pain while in recovery, we encourage you to reach out for support from friends in recovery and your healthcare provider. Please don’t let the pain cause you to turn to a temporary “solution” that could put your health at far greater risk!

Resources

Pain Management in Recovery 

https://americanaddictioncenters.org/opiates/pain-management

https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma13-4671.pdf

Shingles Treatment 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353060

https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2005/0915/p1082.html

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/21561-gabapentin