There’s an expression: knowledge is power. Taking charge of your health is a good example of how that can be true. Having pain over a long period of time can be frustrating and depressing. This can go in circles, causing even more pain in the long run. Once the vicious cycle begins, it can be hard to break out of it. You and your doctor need to work together as a team. Your doctor is there to help you, but you need to understand what is happening to your body and to take control.
If you don’t understand what is actually causing your pain, make an appointment with your doctor to talk about your injury from the beginning, and how the injury is affecting you now. Go over what treatments you have tried and why they might not have worked. If you’re afraid of forgetting your questions once you get to the office, write them down as you think of them and bring them with you. You might want to bring someone with you to act as another pair of ears.
Document your pain. Keep a diary where you can track the good days and not-so-good days. By doing this, you might be able to learn of patterns or triggers that make your pain worse.
Be proactive and research your condition. There are support groups that might be able to help you, and you can use the Internet, but be sure to use only reliable sources. Good places to start are sites run by national organizations or universities; stay away from those that offer instant relief or magic cures. Your doctor may also be able to point you in the right direction.
Try to change your way of thinking from I can’t do anything about it to this is my body and I can take control. The more you learn about your situation and the better you understand it, the better chance you have of taking charge and learning how to live your life with the pain.