- This topic has 15 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated October 17, 2015 at 6:56 am by
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Most of you don’t know this, but two years ago I started having excruciating pain in my left eye. I saw doctors and specialists and had thousands of dollars worth of testing (which nearly broke us financially), and no one can tell me why.
At first, I had nothing that would take the pain away. It was like being poked in the eye with an ice pick constantly. I stopped writing for three months, and almost went insane. This is part of why it took me so long to get Grave Touched published.
Now I have meds that work a bit but have nasty side effects. I work full time and can’t have my mind compromised by narcotics, so I have to just deal with it. It’s tough sometimes. And writing…sometimes I can’t bring myself to even do it after work. Luckily, I’m driven and crazy and I need to be productive, so again I just deal with it. (At home I do take narcotics — but only if it’s really bad.)
I have a possibility for an answer. I’m trying to get into a specialist eye institute. I’m hoping they might know what’s going on.
In addition to this I have fibromyalgia and clinical depression.
I guess I’m wondering if anyone else is going through chronic pain and how you cope, especially when it comes to writing.
HUGS! That is truly awful. I have migraines and light sensitivity that mean vision is not an easy thing for me, so I’ve pondered how I’ll function if I lose it, but luckily no true risk so far.
I hear you on the meds, but as to the writing, the real answer I have come to, and trust me it’s something I continue to struggle with, is to be easy on yourself. Write when you can and celebrate those victories. Don’t expect what you used to be able to do, or even what you think you should be able to do, because stress will only make the pain worse and the coping less.
As to your eye, I’m guessing you’ve considered this, but sometimes microfocus can overwhelm the bigger picture. Have they checked for something like cluster migraines which can produce ice-pick headaches and move around pretty much everywhere? In your case, if it is something like that, it’s targetted on your eye, but maybe the eye is not the cause but rather behind it?
She remakes mechanical devices, and he dreams of becoming a steamship captain in The Steamship Chronicles. Book 1 is free in eBook.
https://margaretmcgaffeyfisk.com/the-steamship-chronicles/Thanks, Marfisk. I try to be easy on myself, but it’s so hard b/c I’m so driven. Must remember that.
We’ve ruled out migraines as a cause. I do suffer from migraines as well and I thought of that. Also the eye pain causes a special kind of migraine that is extremely hard to get rid of. It comes from whatever’s causing the eye pain. Feels like someone punched me in the face.
I call them “eye migraines.”Many hugs! I’m learning to deal with RA, and some days I can’t write, too. I agree with Marfisk, write when you can, and take care of yourself.
My brother was diagnosed with arthritis in his eyes. He was warned that if he gets severe pain in his eyes to get to the doctor immediately. No one mentioned what they can do for him, though.
Happy writing,
Deb Salisbury
The Mantua-Maker, Quality Historical Sewing Patterns and Books
www.mantua-maker.comThe Art of the Hoop: 1860 - 1869, Dress, Sewing, and Clothing Care Advice
https://www.mantua-maker.com/a---1860s-fashion.htmlDead Wizard's Loot: Wizard Whitewing #1
http://www.djsalisburybooks.com/Dead-Wizard-s-Loot.htmlUGH. That sounds truly unpleasant.
However, I say this as pot to kettle, often those who hurt themselves worse when chronic are the driven ones. I turned carpal tunnel into permanent nerve inflammation. Remember it’s the long haul that matters.
She remakes mechanical devices, and he dreams of becoming a steamship captain in The Steamship Chronicles. Book 1 is free in eBook.
https://margaretmcgaffeyfisk.com/the-steamship-chronicles/Magic Seeker, hugs to you and your brother. I never knew you could get arthritis in your eyes.
Marfisk, yes. Words to live by. “Don’t make it worse, and it’s the long haul that matters.”
Thank you both.
Don’t know if anyone is still following this thread, but I thought I’d give you an update. After so much frustration, I took matters into my own hands and did some serious research…and discovered trigmenial neuralgia, an inflammation of the nerve that supplies sensation to the face. Usually only affects one side, and typically doesn’t have eye pain as the only symptom. But here’s where it gets interesting. I mentioned my “eye migraines” that made me feel like I was punched in the face. It fit! It was only on the left side. And the episodes would come and go!
My case is not the typical case. My neurologist has diagnosed me with it and I’m now on *the* medication for TN, tegretol. And…I am almost completely pain free!
It is a miracle.
(I still have bad days here and there, and we’re upping my dose a bit but…not being in constant pain is wonderful. I am now living my life instead of stressing and coping with daily pain.)
Thought you guys would like to know.
That’s great! I’m glad you figured out what the problem was and found a solution.
Ashe Elton Parker
"Just love me, fear me, do as I say, and I will be your slave." ~ David Bowie as Jareth in Labyrinth
~*~
Member since 1998.
~*~:cheer: Yay! It’s such a relief to know what’s causing the pain, especially when the doctors can to something to help. I hope upping the dose gives you more relief, with no side effects.
Happy writing,
Deb Salisbury
The Mantua-Maker, Quality Historical Sewing Patterns and Books
www.mantua-maker.comThe Art of the Hoop: 1860 - 1869, Dress, Sewing, and Clothing Care Advice
https://www.mantua-maker.com/a---1860s-fashion.htmlDead Wizard's Loot: Wizard Whitewing #1
http://www.djsalisburybooks.com/Dead-Wizard-s-Loot.htmlFrustrating that you had to find it yourself, but that’s wonderful that you did and it’s working. Bad days are much more tolerable when you have good days to balance them.
She remakes mechanical devices, and he dreams of becoming a steamship captain in The Steamship Chronicles. Book 1 is free in eBook.
https://margaretmcgaffeyfisk.com/the-steamship-chronicles/
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