Understanding the Effects of Chronic Pain

It’s been nearly four months since I injured my knee during a brief trip for a family funeral. Unfortunately, due to the presence of an artificial implant in my knee, two days of being cramped in the back seat of a car proved too much for my aging joints. Upon returning home, my knee swelled dramatically, resembling a basketball. Initially, I thought the swelling would subside within a few days, but that was not the case. Instead, I found myself limping for over two months.

I sought help from an orthopedic specialist and even visited the emergency room for a DVT scan. Thankfully, there was no deep vein thrombosis, and the hardware in my knee was intact; it simply required time to heal.

Shortly thereafter, I began to experience pain in my opposite hip, which was diagnosed as bursitis due to my altered gait. I quickly realized that hip pain was significantly more debilitating than knee pain, as it severely impacted my ability to sit and stand.

After numerous consultations with the orthopedic doctor and nurse practitioner, as well as many visits to my chiropractor, I was informed just two days ago that there was nothing further they could do; my hip needed to heal on its own. What a disappointment!

On a positive note, I am finally seeing improvement! However, the downside is that I now face months of household chores and paperwork that have accumulated. My home looks like it has been hit by a tornado. While my husband has managed some of the cleaning, I can tell it has been weighing on him not to have my assistance.

I made an effort not to complain about the disarray since he has been managing our pets and other responsibilities.

During the days spent in a recliner with ice packs, I noticed a decline in my cognitive function. Writing became a challenge, and I often went days without even stepping into my office. Bills and paperwork piled up, and my usual promptness in handling finances was delayed, which only added to my frustration. The mountain of unfiled mail loomed over me, making me want to flee my home.

Fortunately, this week has brought a turn for the better. I’ve started to tackle both my household chores and the daunting paperwork stack, and with each item I address, I find more papers that need attention.

My creative writing efforts dwindled during this period; pain seemed to hijack my ability to think clearly and process information effectively. Research indicates that chronic pain can have detrimental effects on cognitive functioning. In the article "Scientists Target Link Between Chronic Pain, Cognitive Impairments," Stephen Fontenot highlights findings from Dr. Ted Price, who states that imaging studies reveal a reduction in the size of the prefrontal cortex in individuals suffering from neuropathic pain, a phenomenon known as cortical thinning. Alarmingly, alleviating the pain does not reverse this change.

As my discomfort lessened, I found my capacity to write and manage my paperwork gradually returning.

This week, I have made some progress in addressing the neglected household tasks. I am reminding myself to remain patient; it didn’t become disorganized overnight, and it won’t be fixed in an instant. For now, I’ll refrain from inviting anyone over!

I’m relieved to regain control over my life, and I know my husband is as well. Had I been ten or twenty years younger, I might have easily recovered from this injury. This experience has taught me that, as a senior, I need to take extra precautions.

I consider myself fortunate to be retired, avoiding the daily struggle of working through pain. There are many aspects of life for which I am grateful.

In recent days, I've been organizing our financial documents. This includes a physical notebook detailing all our bills, debts, and a sticky note with logins and passwords, along with our insurance and retirement information. I created this notebook for my husband to ensure he’s equipped to handle things should anything happen to me. Since I usually manage the bills, he would be at a loss if I were hospitalized or worse.

My new motto is "Be Prepared." Who would have thought that a brief car trip could lead to so many complications? It’s essential for everyone to prioritize their health and well-being.

Chronic Pain and Cognitive Function

In this video, Dr. Daniel J. Clauw discusses the relationship between chronic pain and mental health, explaining how ongoing pain can affect cognitive abilities.

The Connection Between Pain and the Brain

This informative video explores how pain impacts brain function and cognitive performance, shedding light on the neurological effects of chronic pain.