How Not to Become a Chronic Pain When You're in Chronic Pain

By Loretta Holgate

How Not to Become a Chronic Pain When You're in Chronic Pain is a no nonsense humorous approach to resolving some of the many psychosocial issues involved with pain that can drive either the chronic pain person or their caregivers insane. This book is laid out in an easy to follow progression of identifying the many pitfalls to chronic pain and the effective resolutions to each pitfall. Each pitfall and effective resolution is the result of over twenty five years of the author working with and for her chronic pain clients and herself. With experiencing her own pain and working with chronic pain clients the author intimately understands the importance of separating real pain relieving hope from ineffective hype.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Loretta Holgate
• Release date: Jul 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311341396

Loretta Holgate

Loretta Holgate is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in an inpatient hospital-based chemical dependency program which taught her the value of hard-nosed, and sometimes humorous honesty. That experience, combined with twenty-seven years of research for herself and her chronic pain clients from her own chronic pain program, P.R.O.U.D. has provided her a simple yet effective means of treating some of the manifestations of chronic pain, both for the clients who suffer and the families that become an integral part of living successfully and comfortably.Loretta lives with her husband and her Anatolian shepherd companion near Missoula Montana in an area which shelters historic St. Ignatius founded by the Jesuits, and surrounded by Amish neighbors living and working on a beautiful Indian reservation. The Mission Mountain Range, part of the Rocky Mountains, is in her back yard.

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How Not to Become a Chronic Pain

When You’re in Chronic Pain

by Loretta Holgate

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2014 Loretta Holgate

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Pictures Copyright: lisafx / 123RF Stock Photo

Dedication:

This book is dedicated to my family and all my fellow chronic pain people who decide to walk the good and healthy path.

Acknowledgements

The following people have contributed to this project and in different ways all have assisted in relieving my chronic pain. Dr. Toleno is a well versed healer in Traditional Chinese Medicine and was kind enough to share her personal story as well as adding to our basic acupuncture knowledge. Dr. Carter practices the art of Naturopathic Medicine and like Dr. Toleno is constantly doing research and adding efficacious treatments to her practice. Donna Heisel also strives to expand her knowledge and techniques in massage therapy giving all of herself to each client. Harriett Stevens has been my dear friend, mentor and spiritual guide through some tough agnostic times in my chronic pain journey. Her nonjudgmental approach feeds every soul in search of answers. Susan Bearse was gracious enough to perform corrections of typos and grammar oddities for me all without really knowing who I was and what I was trying to accomplish. I will add that any remaining typos and grammar errors found in this book are due to my adding content after Susan's hard work. Viladesign.net, Tatiana Fernandez, did a great job on the cover design. Nancy's beta reading was invaluable. But most of all, my husband, Randy Holgate, had to listen to, add to, research for and generally cheer lead me through this project from beginning to present. I am truly healthier, happier and blessed by all those above. Thank you..

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

--Pain Pitfall: Believing that someone or something needs to fix me!

Chapter Three

--Pain Pitfall: Obesity and lack of exercise

Chapter Four

--Pain Pitfall: Unrelenting muscle spasms

Chapter Five

--Pain Pitfall: Depression and anxiety

Chapter Six

--Pain Pitfall: Chronic pain and family/friend role changes

Chapter Seven

--Pain Pitfall: The enticing siren calls of secondary gains

Chapter Eight

--Pain Pitfall: Grimacing, grunting, groaning and other outlandish dramatic behaviors

Chapter Nine

--Pain Pitfall: Limping, shuffling or duck walking

Chapter Ten

--Pain Pitfall: Comfort food diet

Chapter Eleven

--Pain Pitfall: The new four letter word: Work

Chapter Twelve

--Pain Pitfall: Hidden infections:

Chapter Thirteen - Important Points to Consider

--It could be something else

--Hope versus Hype

--The importance of sleep

--Spirituality

--Finances

--Addiction

--Sex

--Suicide

--Wrap Up and shameless self advertising

Introduction

First I would be remiss to any fellow sufferers if I do not give all of you fair warning prior to reading and/or sharing this book.

A. If you have a pretty good system going and are being dutifully waited upon hand and foot by a stellar stud or gorgeous female model, and it is worth maintaining your current level of pain: do not read or share this book.

B. If you are receiving more loving attention since your chronic pain diagnosis (from those above or others) than you have ever had in your entire life, and it is worth maintaining your current level of pain: do not read or share this book.

C. If you are escaping disgusting and/or mundane household chores that someone else is absolutely overjoyed to perform for you the rest of your natural life, and this is worth maintaining your current level of pain: do not read or share this book

If you were able to answer no to one of the above questions, you are good to read on and discover simple but more importantly successful ways to handle chronic pain. These resolutions will help not only you but the people surrounding you live better with chronic pain.

Well if you are still reading we need to make you aware of this Disclaimer: This book is for entertainment and information gathering only. It is not intended to replace or provide medical advice. Any treatment modalities mentioned are for educational use and again not to replace or provide medical advice. Any recommendation given in this book should be tried by you only after consulting your professional treatment advisor. Any references to other information provided by other experts are for information only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Reviews for How Not to Become a Chronic Pain When You're in Chronic Pain

[jbsanno · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Straightforward and pulls no punches. There is no magic pill or treatment; pain is part of the (aging) human condition; suck it up and deal with it in a manner respectful of those around you. There ARE ways to lessen and mitigate the pain, but you have to be willing to make the changes and do the work.
I liked this book, and imagine that I would have a very lovely conversation with the author should we ever meet.