How Chronic Pain Changed My Life
When I was first diagnosed with New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH), I never imagined that my daily life would be affected. Activities and habits that were effortless suddenly became a struggle. I did not know what it felt like to be in constant pain and could not control my headache. Today, I will share four daily activities that were most affected by NDPH.
1. Sleep
Before I had NDPH, I could sleep without waking up in the night and never had to worry about my sleep. For the few months of having a 24/7 headache, sleeping throughout the night became a challenge, and if I did not sleep well I was in excruciating pain the next day. Sleep- a habit that was once effortless- became a daily struggle. My pain would constantly wake me up at night and dictated if I could function the next day. My neurologist initially put me on melatonin, but my body got used to the dosage. Now, I have to take a prescription and melatonin to sleep throughout the night, and I still have days where I cannot sleep well.
2. Noise/Light Sensitivity
Before I had NDPH, I never had noise and light sensitivity; I could listen to music all day at the highest volume and could be in the sun for hours. For the first few months of having NDPH, I had severe sensitivity to noise and light. I had to wear noise-cancelling headphones and sunglasses everywhere I went, and could not even listen to music at a medium volume. Now, my sensitivity to light and sound has decreased, but my headache still increases when I am in the sun for a long period of time. If it is hot outside, I have to make sure that I stay hydrated and inside for most of the day.
3. Exercise
Exercise has always been an important part of my life, and I have been an active person ever since I was young. I played competitive tennis for 4 years and would be on the tennis court for over 2 hours a day in 95 degree weather. I never had to take extra breaks and would just power through the heat. For the first 6-9 months of having a 24/7 headache, I could not play tennis or exercise at all. Everytime I started running or doing any form of physical activity my headache would immediately increase. Something that was my passion and that I performed everyday suddenly became an impossible task. I was upset because all my tennis friends were excelling while I was being left behind. Now, I have worked up my stamina and pacing skills to return to tennis. However, I still have to take extra breaks and cannot play full matches. I have accepted that I cannot play competitively anymore but still enjoy going for clinics and playing for my high school team.
4. Focus/concentration
Before I had NDPH, I never had trouble concentrating in class and could sit and focus for hours. I have always been a motivated student and I always push myself to take hard classes. For the first 2 years of having NDPH, I could not focus at all. When I would focus for more than 30 minutes, my pain would increase and I would completely zone out. I was having trouble in school and an assignment that took 20 minutes to complete took an hour with a headache. I did not know how to focus while managing pain, and I frequently missed school because my headache would increase during the school day. Now, I have learned coping techniques so I can concentrate in school and manage my pain, but still have trouble focusing. It still takes me longer to finish assignments, but I just had to accept that I cannot concentrate at the same level that I used to and have to balance school with taking care of myself.
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