This is a story of pain.
Have you ever been in so much
pain that you call out to the gods to take your life?
Well, for 23 years I've been
living with this kind of pain.
My earliest memory was of feeling
this tightness in my chest. At 4 years old, diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia
and admitted for Pneumonia, I didn’t know what this discomfort was. Feeling the
weight of the world on my chest, pulling and tugging from either side, I could
not fully understand why my body was punishing me this way. Breathing was strenuous
and uncomfortable, but all I wanted was someone to tell me all will be well,
and that I didn’t have to feel this way ever again.
But like the many other Sickle
Cell crises to come, I was given a combination of pethidine and morphine, very
heavy pain medication that put me immediately to sleep as if the pain never
existed. This is the kind of experience Sickle Cell warriors go through.
Living in post trauma and constant fear of not knowing when this pain will come
and if you'll pull through to the other side of a pain free body.
PAIN - Sickle Cell Crises
Pain episodes (crises) can occur
without warning when sickle cells block blood flow and decrease oxygen
delivery. This damages the cells in the affected tissue, resulting in the
tissue becoming swollen, which irritates nearby nerve endings. People
describe this pain as sharp, intense, stabbing, or throbbing. Severe crises can
be even more uncomfortable than post-surgical pain or childbirth.
Pain can strike almost anywhere
in the body and in more than one spot at a time. But the pain often occurs in
the
- Lower back
- Legs
- Arms
- Abdomen
- Chest
- pelvis
- ribs
- spine
Most pain episodes do not have an
obvious reason for their occurrence. But here are some possible causes
and things that your child should avoid if possible:
- Swimming in cold water
- Being out in cold weather
- Getting too hot
- Getting dehydrated from not drinking enough fluids
- Colds and infections
- Overdoing it—not getting enough sleep and rest
- Drinking alcohol or smoking
- Menstruation (getting your period)
- Stress
- Being around second-hand smoke
Treating Pain at Home
Remember: pain is a
sign that something is wrong. Firs identify the cause of pain or the trigger
and control or eliminate it. Pain is best treated using a
variety of non-drug treatments along with medication
For example, you may need to
guide yourself by using relaxation techniques, even if you're already familiar
with how to do it. Other examples of non-drug treatments include massage, hot
or cold packs, relaxation and guided imagery, distraction, music, food
remedies and also reading to yourself.
In addition one should drink lots
of water and take pain reducing herbal treatment and foods.
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| 10003 Natural PainKillers |
To all Sickle Cell Warriors, no
one can claim to know more pain than you. However I am here to urge you that
even though pain is what you leave with, it doesn’t have to dictate the way you
live your life. Don’t let the discomfort dull the light in your life and
destroy the great parts that make us who we are; our ability to be tender with
ourselves and humanity and the clarity to always find hope
I have been able to turn pain
into a pillar of strength. By understanding that I am made stronger by it, I use
it as a motivator to better my health and life. Pain is a signal and an indicator
that the body gives to show us there is something wrong, and we need to heed
and listen to rectify that which is causing our bodies to scream in pain.
I have lived 3 years now without
severe debilitating pain. I still experience pain here and there but manageable
pain. In this journey of ascension to a healthy pain free body, I take care of
my physical, emotional and physiological body through what I consume. This is
due to consuming a healthy organic and natural plant based only diet, to deliberately
allowing high positive wholesome information to be fed into my mind. The conscientious
choice of only feeding my body life giving, high frequency and positive energy
has kept me medication and hospital free for 3 years now.
Start today, start now. Uplift yourself by the choices you make. Don’t
let pain control the direction of your life, let it be an indicator for making
better choices in how you live your life. Take a deep breath and let it go!
Comment below and share what your
understanding of pain is and how you manage it.
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| 10003 Pain Quote. Photo Credit: Mutua Matheka |
