Getting Off the Emotional Rollercoaster Ride

The last rollercoaster ride I'm on is called the Screaming Tasmanian Devil... the chronic pain edition. This ride can be exhausting and overwhelming. I feel like I’m on a never-ending rollercoaster ride of symptoms and flares.

The ups and downs of a flare

At times, chronic pain can be so debilitating that it interferes with my ability to work, enjoy hobbies, or even take care of basic self-care. It can be so hard to control our emotions occasionally. They can feel like a rollercoaster, constantly going up and down.

It’s important to remember that it’s okay to feel our emotions and that we don’t have to be perfect all the time. It’s okay to take a break and take care of ourselves when we’re feeling overwhelmed. We deserve to be kind to ourselves and to give ourselves the time and space we need to heal. I do have moments when I struggle to manage my chronic pain, but I know that I am not alone. How can I improve my quality of life when nothing has worked for me to this point?

I get exhausted seeing the same scenery, and the same turns I’ve been on for years. Every time I have a new condition that festers up, I will have that same feeling you get when you stand in line for the new rollercoaster ride.

The ride I'm on now

My new medical situation is regarding my feet. In October, I hit my right heel and the next day my toes and sole of my feet went numb. It’s now the end of November and I will be seeing my third specialist about my foot in mid-December. About a week ago, I started having issues with my left foot and both issues impact my walking, sleep, and my daily activities. These are new situations on top of my chronic pain.

This rollercoaster ride lasts about 3 months if I’m lucky. This means I have received a referral to see a specialist and have an appointment. Then I have to wait for tests results, if any are put in and get a treatment plan, but this doesn’t instantly happen... all of this takes about 3 months in my situation. This process always feels like a rollercoaster because my emotions go up and down... It's like I'm on an emotional rollercoaster, and it's really tough to deal with.

Committed to doing my best

The ups and downs of my emotions make it really hard to focus on anything else. It's tough to deal with, but I'm trying to do my best. I know that eventually things will settle down, and I'll be able to get back to a more even keel. Meanwhile, I'm just holding on and trying to ride out and eventually get-off the emotional rollercoaster. Waiting for a medical diagnosis with a treatment plan can be a very stressful and anxious experience.

I postulate, if I have a choice to detach myself from this experience? I know It is important to stay positive and have hope during this time. Likewise, I know I'm not alone and there are people who care about me and are here to support and listen.