REMEDY
Welcome to Remedy, a blog by U.S. Pain Foundation. Remedy features information about promising treatments, tips and strategies for self-management, unique perspectives from patients, clinicians, and caregivers–and much more. To submit an article idea, email us.
Please note: U.S. Pain Foundation does not endorse any specific treatment options; blog posts are educational only. Views expressed by authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization.
Six emotions that drive chronic pain
By: Cindy Dawson Pain is meant to protect us by alerting us to make necessary adjustments to alleviate or tend to a problem within our bodies. But sometimes chronic pain goes into overdrive, escalating to an unbearable eight or nine, even when there is not a specific, physical catalyst. Looking...
Have you been judged, too? Can we forgive?
By: Ellen Lenox Smith So many coping with an invisible chronic condition not only have to face how to adjust to pain and disability but also how to cope with the judgmental comments we experience. “Gee, you look fine; Go take a walk; Stop stressing; What a whiner;” etc. I have not met a person...
The caregiving conundrum: Who is a caregiver?
By: Malcolm Herman One day I’ll write the definitive best-selling book about caregiving (yes, another one!) full of helpful tips, like take care of yourself, accept offers of help, eat your veggies, and so forth. But after thinking about the subject one way or another for 25 years, I have come to...
Jumping through hoops: Expectation vs. reality
By: Angelica Heidi Brehm When I was a child, I was often told, “Life isn’t fair!” I think the intent of the comment was to provide me some comfort while dealing with life’s hardships or to connect me with the rest of humanity, who were also experiencing difficulties. The result, however, was a...
My IC journey: Finding hope in community
By: Nina Torres In 2016, I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as bladder pain syndrome. I was diagnosed at 24 years old; however, I have felt this pain since childhood. Interstitial cystitis is a chronic bladder illness that affects 3-6% of women in the United States. It...
A pharmacist answers your OTC questions
In October, U.S. Pain hosted a webinar, “Pain relief in your pharmacy aisle: A pharmacist discusses OTC options,” with Jeffrey Fudin, PharmD. The discussion covered different classes of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, what may work best for certain types of pain, the pros and cons of various...
The pandemic, chronic pain, purpose, and hope
By: Ellen Lenox Smith We are all coping with different issues as a result of the pandemic. These issues range from housing and living situations, reduction or loss of employment, child care, education with some experiencing virtual learning, financial issues, and isolation from family and friends...
No pain, no gain
By: Michaela O'Connor There's a saying in the chronic pain community, "whoever said no pain, no gain never had chronic pain." At first, I fully and whole-heartedly agreed with the quote. As a chronic pain patient, I could not see anything I had gained from the constant pain I lived with. I saw...
Generational pandemic losses
By: Ellen Lenox Smith As we attempt to stay safe, we also are hoping to see the light at the end of this long tunnel with hopes of returning to some form of normalcy. My husband and I are in our 70s and have faced issues that the younger generation has not and vice versa. We are clearly all...
My disease no longer controls me
By: Brandy Garcia At 16 years old I had no idea that I would be battling chronic pain for more than 10 years. At that point, my migraine headaches were just annoying and bothered me when I wanted to have fun. Little did I know I was in for a battle of a lifetime with my pain and mental health. I...
A day in the life
By: Erin Adair In honor of Pain Awareness Month, I want to tell you a little bit about what it is like to be me. I’ll try to be unvarnished, yet not too harsh in the truth of it. In my daily life, I try to be upbeat and as positive a person as I can be but at times life can be overwhelming and it...
Looking to try CBD? Read this first
By: Matt Parks The surging popularity of a young cannabidiol (CBD) industry has inspired incredible success stories and with it, incredible misunderstanding among consumers. Whether you struggle from chronic pain, need some relief after a hard workout, or are looking for some stress relief, here...