How Chronic Pain Changed My Life
Before I was diagnosed with NDPH, I led a very active lifestyle. I played competitive tennis and always had a busy schedule. I kept a perfect attendance in school and would never take breaks.
When I first got my headache, I did not know how to manage my pain. I went from leading an active life to being debilitated by pain. I missed over 50 days of school and stopped playing tennis. Furthermore, most of my friends did not understand what I was going through. I was uncomfortable talking about my pain because I felt like nobody would understand my invisible illness. I did not know how to advocate for myself, and my active lifestyle was put on hold for 1 ½ years.
For the past 2 years, I have found a balance between managing my pain and leading an active lifestyle. First, I had to accept that my life was going to be different because of chronic pain. I learned how to advocate for myself- creating a new mentality that it is important to take breaks. Everyday, I continue to be active and manage pain by taking extra breaks, using pain management techniques, and focusing on my mental and physical health.
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