Do you get used to pain?

I go years without headaches or hurling, so either one really throws me for a loop. But we all know people who have these issues frequently who simply get used to it.

What I'm used to is neck pain. It started after I was rear-ended in traffic in Washington, D.C., in the 1980s, seemed to ease, but then never quite went away. In recent years it has worsened, probably from being slumped over the computer so many hours a day.

I don't take anything for it, ever, because I don't want to make it worse by accident. I've known several people who worsen their back problems by medicating the pain so they don't know when they're straining it.

Have you had any experience like that?

Comments

[Colin Clarke]

I herniated a disc in my lumbar spine some years ago. After months of chronic pain the drug that finally got me pain free was an anti-depressant. The theory being that after a period of time, in my case 3 weeks the anti-depressant built up in my system to the point where it allowed the nerves to tolerate the impingement without causing pain. I was weaned off the drug over a period of time because of some sleep side-effects and voila the pain never became chronic again. So I guess the body maybe able to get used to pain.

As far as being slumped over a computer. Do you touch type? Do you use a laptop? If so would a laptop stand and a usb keyboard help? In other words maybe some ergonomic adjustments are in order.