Desperately Seeking Pain Relief

I’m not a doctor, but I’ve been playing one in real life, my own, since I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2009. At the time, I was doing the doctor shuffle each year as my husband’s insurance through work changed carriers. When I finally settled on one, it happened to be one who based her fibro knowledge on patients she’d seen, not so much the research or studies. I provided some of the information I came across, but she was not receptive, as you might imagine.

Alternative therapies, if they can still be called that, prescribed by me to me have included massage, chiropractic care, acupuncture, CBD ointments, seriously boosted vitamin D and so many supplements. Some of these modalities have been very helpful for ease or relief of acute and chronic pain. For example, each massage, every three weeks, feels like I haven’t been in months or years but it’s even worse when I actually do take a break of weeks or months, usually due to depression depleting me to the point where just the idea of making a massage appointment, not to mention going, overwhelms. A few of the modalities haven’t shown any obvious improvement but I continue nonetheless, i.e., high level vitamin D, vegan omega 3. Most supplements have been one or two month experiences, because by then the magic was supposed to have begun but hadn’t.

I’ve been particularly vulnerable to professionally-produced, pattern-following ads for that one thing that hadn’t yet become familiar. First, I’m drawn in by a quick intro explaining a new or different thing which addresses the one magical issue involved in curing illness or relieving pain. If I haven’t clicked ‘skip’ on the YouTube ad by then, the doctor (or whoever’s presenting) speaks earnestly in medical terms about why this thing, typically found only in far reaches and used by their health practitioners, has shown this incredible breakthrough. The person talking with you now happened upon this discovery and was floored. Here, here was the answer. If only it could be shared with everyone.

What to do? The presenter spent months or years developing the exact replication, using only the best, cleanest products in a finely-tuned blend in a state-of-the-art facility built particularly for this purpose. Okay, we go back to all the benefits of this modern day miracle. We’re not talking temporary relief here. We’re looking at a systemic, internal change that will improve my quality of life long-term! Money-back guarantee! Let’s go!

You might imagine the despair of knowing you’re in pain forever. Yes, some fibro fighters do achieve freedom but that’s the exception in my case and many, many others who’ve shared their stories or had conversations in a chat or community. Having begun my fibro journey 40+ years ago, hope is now hard to come by. Not that I’ve stopped trying. Lord knows the multitude of modalities I’ve prescribed to myself without success. Try to feel the ache in the pit of yourself, in your soul, for relief. You might very well pay more than you can afford for a new lease on life.

One particular salesman, incessantly present in all forms of media, really gets under my skin, for some reason. Maybe it’s that systemic effect. The white-haired man seems to have the answers for everything! Wonder of wonders – it’s the exact opposite of the knowledge gained over the last 50 years! And only he knows it! This thing he’s developed reverses all the damage scientists have caused in our guts with their faulty thinking. Wtf?

Because I’ve traveled down the magical trail more than once in search of a way to return to being the “real” me and the life I was living even 10 years ago, when I see a tour-guide offering access to a secret entrance, I take a step back to look without rose-colored glasses. Then, I recognize that a study relied on foundationally by this doctor concluded 50 years ago and not rigorously peer reviewed isn’t as relevant as larger, more reliable ones conducted in the last few decades, as medicine has advanced. I’m also skeptical of encouraging people to discontinue eating some foods proven to be beneficial. Most of all, I’m angry on behalf of vulnerable people, suffering daily with an invisible illness, who will grasp at any relief dangled for a price.

*I’ve reblogged this post by Dr. Jen Gunter who dared to question the efficacy of Goop and had Goop disdain rain down. Funny read, too.