Chronic pain and depression combination

[Allank93]

Hi everyone,

so kinda new to this and would like to put my self out there my names allan and I'll be 23 in novmber.

i have suffered with depression since I was 16 and have also been diagnosed with DDD ( degenerative disc disease) and would like to know if anyone else suffers from having a chronic pain and depression combination?

See what makes it hard for me is I have always been a worker and now my back is at the point where I'm forced to make a choice stop working and stay out of a wheel chair or keep going and be in one much soon then I should be.... Can anyone help me with some advice on what they have done or can recommend someone who might be able to talk to me at all?

kind regards allan

[white knight]

Hi Alan, welcome

Preserve your health at all costs.

A home mechanic I was until I suffered a low back injury at work in 1990. From then on I chose tinkering instead of heavy mechanical work.

Now retired I limit my tinkering to 2 hours a day and this regulation has prolonged my passion.

Physical pain contributes to depression. It makes us more fragile. You'll need to be wiser than your years to look at this situation.

A friend of mine in a similar situation to yours took up model car racing and loves it.

Find a passion and give up the "heavy worker" in you.

Tony WK

[romantic_thi3f]

Hey Allank93,

Welcome to the forums.

So I just want to get super clear on this decision you have to make:

1) Stop working and stay out of a wheelchair

2) Keep working and possibly be in a wheelchair

I think if it were me I would want to get really clear on your options. What sort of job do you have? Can you look at modified work? Can they look at transferring you to a different role that's putting less pressure on your back? What sort of treatment/management are you currently having? Is being in a wheelchair something that is going to happen in the future whether you are working or not working? Or is the pain/movements making things worse?

Ultimately I agree with Tony WhiteKnight in that your health does need to come first. Jobs can come and go but we will be stuck with the body we have for the rest of our lives.

In terms of resources though it would be great to know who you are linked up with at the moment. Do you have a GP/physio/specialist? I imagine that these would be great places to start to try and provide assistance or refer on to someone who can give you more clarity on what decision is best for you.

[sensitiveswan]

Hey Allan,

How are you going? I saw your post was from a while ago, so I hope you're doing ok. I suffer from chronic pain and depression - I'd had depression in the past so I guess I was prone to it, but the chronic pain definitely made it impossible to avoid. I have an amazing osteopath who helps, and give me specific exercises to help my condition. I also see a psychologist, which helps as it allows me to vent my frustrations at not being able to do all the things I want to do. I can totally understand why you would be frustrated - only 23! I like Tony's idea of finding something you're passionate about. That will not help your depression, but may even be a way to make some money without physical labour.

I get my psychologist appointments for free through my GP's mental health plan, and also get 5 osteo appointments almost free from a chronic care plan (also through the GP). You should be able to get something like this too.

I agree with the others - your health comes first!

Good luck x