It seems to be a never ending cycle. The pain is intense. You can’t sleep. However, it’s the lack of sleep that contributes to the pain, and the pain that contributes to the lack of sleep. It’s awful. The doctors can prescribe medicine. They try to help (most try to help) with suggestions on how to deal with the pain, and insomnia. You may find something that works for a while, but eventually, it seems to stop and you are back at square one.

I am back at square one right now. I want to be healthy. I want to live a normal life. When I’m awake at night, I brainstorm of how I will get healthy. I want to switch to a plant-based diet. I want to exercise. I want to not take medications. I want to work. I want to live like I used to live before I got sick, even better than I did. Then morning comes, and I can’t hardly get out of bed. When I finally do get out of bed, my energy level is almost nonexistent. It’s a terrible way to live. I try to make small steps towards my goal. The pain is overwhelming though.

Some days, I push through. I hurt like hell, but I know others are counting on me. This is usually on the weekends when my husband and kids are home. I don’t want them to suffer because I feel like hell. They understand, and know I can’t do everything they want to do, which sucks. I want to do everything they want to do.

I spend a lot of time stretching. It helps. I spend a lot of time in prayer. It helps too. Then, I cry. Sometimes I don’t even know I’m doing it until I hear the sounds of agony, and realize it’s me.

I have realized a few things that do cause my pain to be more intense…stress…lack of sleep…weather changes…STRESS (that’s a big one, and deemed being repeated). Trying to avoid those are all impossible. Again, it’s the cycle. I’m feeling pretty frustrated and defeated. I know this is common among those with chronic illnesses. I just wish the cycle could end.