From Ecclesiastes to Buddhist texts to other ancient philosophies, such as Stoicism, the idea of gaining wisdom from pain has been around for thousands of years. It is true that we can learn a lot from our pain; however, it is also true that chronic pain can cease to be useful. If we are past the point of learning from it, then is pain necessary? Isn’t relief from that kind of pain a good thing for most of us?

I have reached a point where I may need to think about seeing a physician for pain management. The inflammation I experience from CVID, the pain in my joints, the pain and cramps around swollen lymph nodes…all of this is impacting my daily life negatively. I have advanced, degenerative arthritis in my knee without an ACL. I have pain in my shoulders, hips, and neck. The pain impacts my sleep. The pain impacts my level of irritability. I think it’s time to seek some help.

I’m already doing what I can, and have even seen some improvement recently. I am taking quercetin and magnesium supplements twice a day to help with inflammation and pain, and it does help. I’m treating my sinus issues with sinus rinse, and a xylitol based nasal spray. I’m hydrating constantly. All of this helps. I’m even taking an acetaminophen/ aspirin/ caffeine based pain reliever once during the early part of the day. I’m not someone who has ever liked taking pain medicine–I only take an opiate based medicine when I absolutely must have it. Case in point: I still have oxycontin tablets from my emergency appendectomy that happened in January 2018. I can tolerate pain…but I am finally realizing that sometimes that’s the stupid thing to do. As a proponent of embracing the “not stupid” choice more often, I think it’s time to better manage my pain.

A certain level of pain is necessary just to be alive. I gained the ability to “push through pain” from my time playing team sports (including full contact ones) and from working on the farm and ranch growing up. I can stuff down all the pain I need to in order to get through the day. But if I am irritable and frustrated from it, is that worth it? My family and others around me deserve better than that. In order to be the wise and patient me, I have to deal with this constant pain better. Life is more than just “fighting through the pain” — it’s also about finding every possible way we can to be the best possible version of ourselves that we can. I’m fully aware of my pain now, and its impacts–now it’s time to do something about it.

I need to pay attention to my pain, and learn from it. Wisdom comes from what we learn from the pain, and not from ignoring it.