Women Living With Pain & Chronic Illness

       As women, we endure pain on many scales, from stomach cramps to migraine headaches and many other hormonal related causes. From the beginning of time, women knew they were destined to bear pain throughout their lives. There are several other health issues that mostly and widely affect women all over the world. Some of these health conditions include:

  • Osteoporosis

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Stroke

  • Heart disease

  • Urinary tract problems

  • Migraine headaches

  • Gallstones

  • Kidney infections

  • Breast and Ovarian cancer

  • Dangers of STD affects

  • Anxiety and Depression

  • Complications from pregnancy

  • Autoimmune Disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Fibromyalgia and more

  • Anemia

  • .... And so on

Support Through the Pain

Stress=Pain

     Stress is the number one worst thing for someone in pain! It makes it extremely difficult for our bodies to heal when we are stressed out. Part of the healing process in dealing with chronic pain is to avoid high levels of stress. Cortisol (the stress hormone) levels that are chronically high in our bodies do a lot of damage over time. Our bodies were not designed to be in constant fight or flight mode. Here are some things you can do to help minimize the stress in your life:

Don't be afraid to say No.... Things can be unpredictable and the stress it brings not to be able to or scrambling to fulfill commitments you've made can be that much harder on you physically and mentally when you over commit yourself by stretching yourself too thin. Don't be so hard on yourself. As Christians, we believe in being there for others and giving more than receiving. Remember if you don't take care of yourself, it will be difficult to be there for others in the best way you can be. Family and children can be especially demanding of our time, if you haven't already, setting boundaries is your next step! You are no good to anyone if you aren't taking care of yourself. When you live with any type of chronic pain or illness, you must make this your priority. Set time aside for yourself, however long you feel is appropriate for rest, healing and prayer with God, make this known to everyone in your family. Setting healthy boundaries may mean you have to discontinue communication with certain people in your life. If you're in an abusive relationship, your pain is only going to be magnified and will prohibit you from the necessary healing you need when living with chronic pain or illness. Surround yourself with people who are supportive of you and care for your well-being. Someone that's putting you down and hurting you is not supportive or caring of your well-being. Find support through a local church, resource center or women's shelter to help you and receive the necessary resources to help you out of any kind of abusive or life threatening living condition. You can go to our resources page for further assistance.

My Story

   I have struggled with pain most of my life. As a child, I remember feeling miserable most of the time. I developed asthma around the age of 8 and all kinds of food allergies, some which have had me hospitalized, and some I have overcome. I had chronic bronchitis and sinus infections growing up and pneumonia twice as a young adult. As I came into my teenage years, I had chronic ocular migraines and began to have increasing pain in my bladder. By the time I was fifteen, I would have excruciating pain in my bladder from hours to days! Doctor after doctor, I was prescribed antibiotic after antibiotic. After having a cesarean with my twins, the scar had attached to the wall of my bladder, pulling on it and causing the pain to become so unbearable that something had to be done. After years of receiving unnecessary treatment of antibiotics, I was finally sent to a specialist that gave me the answers and affective treatment I needed. I was diagnosed with a bladder condition called Interstitial Cystitis which is basically an autoimmune condition of the bladder causing it to become inflamed and create tiny ulcers along the lining of the bladder. Acidic foods, caffeine, sugar, carbonated drinks and sex would cause it to flare up. After I was diagnosed, I received treatments that would change my life forever. I had to undergo bladder instillations over the course of 8 years weekly, and then monthly. It was a long road to recovery and am now able to manage without medical treatment. I have been so blessed with the support of physical therapists and the doctor that changed my life by giving me the proper treatment. Several years later I was diagnosed with Lupus. It’s something I have to live with every day and struggle with. It affects every individual differently but many of the same symptoms are prevalent, such as chronic fatigue, muscle pain and weakness, weakened immune system, vascular issues, joint pain, brain fog, skin issues, etc.. Those with an autoimmune disease understand how difficult it is to have to rearrange their lives to accommodate living with a chronic illness, and not just living with it but managing their symptoms to be able to have a positive and good quality of life. We must remember God is our ultimate healer and as we take the steps necessary to care for our bodies and seek to glorify Him, he offers us miraculous healing that we may have never thought possible. I encourage women who are suffering with chronic pain or illness and are looking for answers to not lose hope. Trust and rely on God completely for healing and he will lead you to the answers you desperately need. He is our greatest advocate!