My thoughts, stories, struggles, and triumphs as an invisible pain warrior.
Hello and welcome to our blog. I decided to call it Invisible Pain Warriors because that is very much what I consider my husband and I to be.
I have suffered from Endometriosis and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) for 20 years and was diagnosed 6 years ago and the age of 31, during a diagnostic laparoscopy to investigate the cause of my chronic abdominal pain and infertility. Since that time, I have experienced a roller-coaster of symptoms, had a 2nd laparoscopic surgery to remove more Endometriosis and pelvic adhesions, and have suffered a significant increase in the severity and frequency of my Endo-related pain.
I also have another source of chronic pain, which isn’t as easily identified, diagnosed, or explained. I usually refer to it as a “chronic facial pain syndrome” but it has been diagnosed as a number of things, including Trigeminal Neuralgia, Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia, Atypical Facial Pain, TMJ, and even just a headache. While no one is quite sure what it is or how to fix it, it has had a dramatic effect on my daily quality of life.
My husband suffers from severe, intractable chronic pain resulting from a failed anterior cervical fusion surgery, which took place in December 2012. He does not spend much time on the internet and will likely never add to this blog but his battle with chronic pain is something that I will likely write about as it is one of the most difficult and cruel things that either of us have ever witnessed or experienced.
We have both spent many years, thousands upon thousands of dollars, and expended endless time and energy searching for help and resolutions to our pain, but as of yet the medical community has done very little to help us (not for complete lack of trying), short of providing the minimum amount of pain medication necessary for us to function at any capacity.
Our current battles include:
Endometriosis
PCOS
Endosalpingiosis
Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia
Chronic Pain
TMJ
Cervicalgia
Infertility
Depression
Chronic Fatigue
ADD
Anxiety
Panic Disorder
We will likely post about these topics and many more.
This is a short summary of a very long story, with no end in sight, which I will continue to elaborate on throughout this blog. I consider us warriors, fighting an invisible battle against a monster that no one can see. I hope that sharing our story, our struggles, and triumphs along the way can help others who are fighting similar battles to know that they are not alone.
Great blog! I have nominated you for the Liebster Award! You can check out the rules here:
http://cartervail.wordpress.com/2014/10/25/liebster-award/
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Thank you so much! This made my day! 🙂
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I’m so glad it made your day! Your blog deserves more followers and traffic! Keep up the great work!
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Wow your list of diagnoses looks eerily similar to mine. I look forward to seeing how you are working through this as it will hopefully inspire me with my struggles with mine!
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It does look like we have a lot in common. Hopefully our journeys can offer mutual insight and inspiration. Thanks so much for the follow! 🙂
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Hi guys, Is there a way to link you to my Facebook page?
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I haven’t created a Facebook page specifically for our blog yet but I am on there under my name – Ginny Gundlach. We could probably look you up if you want to share your Facebook username. Each blog post also has “share” buttons on the bottom so they can be shared on Facebook, Twitter, or your social media outlet of choice. You can also share a link to the blog itself by copying and pasting the blog’s URL into a status update. I will include the URL at the bottom of this comment. I hope that answered your question. If not, or if I misunderstood anything, please feel free to let me know. Thanks! 🙂 https://painwarriors.wordpress.com
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Thanks, i’ll check into it. BTW, your new blog look is fantastic! I love the soothing (but dramatic) colors and the structure is very pleasing to the eyes.
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Thank you very much!
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Oh, I meant to say that yes, you answered the question. I wanted to be able to share from your blog on my Facebook page once in a while. my Facebook name is Vikki Kauffman if you want to friend.
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Great! I will look you up on FB. I would appreciate any and all shares I can get. 🙂
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Found your blog on blogging 101. I too suffer from chronic pain secondary to arthritis and fibromyalgia. I look forward to reading your blog and discussing our experiences. Glad to find another friend!
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Welcome! I’m glad you’re here. 🙂
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I love your blog so much. I deal with chronic pain from hydrocephalus on a daily basis. I hate when you spend so much time toughing it out and not letting on that no one ever believes you feel anything. It’s so nice to find some solidarity. I write mostly about video games, but they were my solace when I had to spend an entire year at home and in the hospital in high school. Keep writing and giving me something to relate to. 🙂
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Thank you! I’m so glad you found us. 🙂
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Hi there, I am not sure if you “do” blog awards or not… but I have nominated you for the Premio Dardos award. The rules are simple: all you need to do is nominate 15 blogs, nice and easy. Here is the link to the post: http://wp.me/p4Do1g-u4. I hope you will accept it, but if not… nevermind, I still like your blog and this is a token of my appreciation!
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Thank you so much! I would be honored and will follow-up as soon as possible. Have a wonderful day! 🙂
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😀 I nominated you for the Real Neat Blog award! http://bloominuterus.com/2015/03/16/the-real-neat-blog-award-2/
Thank you for EVERYTHING that you do for us!
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Yay! Thank you so much! ❤
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Hi Ginny,
I’m writing to tell you that your post Working with an Invisible Illness & Chronic Pain (https://painwarriors.wordpress.com/2014/09/14/working-with-an-invisible-illness-chronic-pain/) is absolutely spot on! We’d love to feature it on our MyEndometriosisTeam blog if you don’t mind us republishing (we’d include your bio/your byline, link etc).
Your writing is so genuine. “These are just some of the physical symptoms. The psychological and emotional symptoms are another monster all their own.” <— our readers can relate! 🙂
We are starting a guest blogging series to bring hope, understanding, and encouragement to people living with Endo. We would also share on MyEndometriosisTeam.com and on our social media channels.
We just launched MyEndometriosisTeam.com 2 weeks ago and it's growing by hundreds of people per day! If you're already on MET, can you let me know your username? That way I can feature you AND the blogpost.
Have a wonderful day,
Michelle M
Social Media Manager
michelle@myhealthteams.com
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Hi Michelle! Thank you so much for your kind words. I am really glad that you enjoyed the post. It is definitely a topic that affects so many of us on a daily basis. I am in the midst of a bad flare up now and dealing with the guilt of having missed the past two days of work. Of course that will result in a backlash of having to work extra hard to catch up, while still struggling to come out of a bad flare up and a very tough week. I would be honored to participate and become involved with MyEndometriosisTeam.com. Please feel free to share any of my posts or relevant information. I will visit MET now and register so I can share my username. 😊
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I just signed up and started working on my MET profile (not quite finished) and since I registered through Facebook, my username is Ginny Apperson Gundlach. 😊
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Hi there, I’m Lindsey! I have a question and would love to speak with you in regards to your medical journey. Could you please email me when you have a chance? Thanks so much, I look forward to hearing from you 🙂
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I love the title of this blog because it is so true. You and your husband truly are warriors!! I’m so sorry both of you have to go through this awfulness. I wish you hope, answers and help! God bless you!!
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Thank you!
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