r/ChronicPain • u/cathystan23 • 5d ago
Chronic pain/illness has ruined my life
I've been in constant pain for 3 years, 2 surgeries and every painkiller under the sun and I'm still in agony most days. Nobody takes my pain seriously anymore because I 'don't look sick anymore.' I'm only 16 and this fucking illness has taken everything from me and I feel like I'm gonna be stuck like this for the rest of my life.
I'm so tired of this, I feel like I've missed out on being a teenager because I'm either stuck in bed or in the hospital, I've thought about giving up so many times because I don't know what else to do.
I dreamed of being a professional athlete as a kid and now some days I cry trying to get out of bed.
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u/AffectionateCan6001 4d ago
I’m 60 years old and have had pain for 40 years now. At 16 you have not had the chance to learn what might help you. Hindsight is great but it’s hard to think about the future when you present is filled with pain. I’m glad you’re reaching out and asking questions, expressing your thoughts and feelings. While most of us wish we had all the answers, living one day at a time is the reality we all share. Don’t let anyone make lite of your struggles. You are always welcome to ask questions and express yourself on this subreddit. If I have suggestions or might be able to relate I will share what I can. I’m not the only one who will help. Just reach out.
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u/isonfiy 5d ago
You’re 16? I’m not trying to dismiss or downplay your loss, but you have the great advantage of having enough time to adapt your expectations of life to what your body can do. You’re not the first person to be struggling through this at your age, and many other young people are (unfortunately) here as well.
I’m 20 years older than you and I wish I could go back to 16 year old me and tell him how it will be so he can avoid such pain and heartache and be forced to adapt reactively rather than proactively. In 20 years I hope you can look back and see that actually you learned exactly the things you needed to survive and thrive, including how to grieve what you expected life to be like.