Hi there. My name is Jen, and I am an editor, writer, attorney, and a few other things. This is a blog about my chronic pain resulting from two car accidents and two spinal surgeries. I have mostly stopped updating it as of the end of 2017. I think it helped me get through what I needed to process. I am happy I met so many wonderful people through it, though obviously I wish I had met all of you under different circumstances.
I am going to be working on different projects now, like actual, real writing over at JenRlySpeaking.com and a true crime podcast at MalicePodcast.com. Please come join me over there!
Much love,
Jen
Wear, Tear, & Care 
Thank you so much for popping by my blog and for following me. I hope at some point they are able to find a way of dealing with the pain. I have a few friends with similar and they are an inspiration to me. I look forward to reading your posts
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This is a tragic thing that happened to you but you sound like an overcomer! Writing does help us with so many issues, physical and emotional.i’m so glad you stopped by my blog and I look forward to reading your post.
xoxo
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Thank you for your follow, which as brought me to your blog. I am sorry to hear of what as happened to you and the pain and suffering this as brought you. You may be right to absorb yourself in writing, which may bring you some relief.
I am looking forward to viewing your posts.
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As someone else who deals with chronic pain, though due to an accident of genetics rather than a car accident, all I can say is that chronic pain sucks and anyone who goes through it deserves a medal. And some dark chocolate. Preferably lots of dark chocolate. Thank you for sharing your story.
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I eat so much dark chocolate!!! Chronic pain does suck, but at least chocolate can put a smile on my face. I’m sorry that you have it as well… and thank you for your comment.
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Hi Jen! I work with the Quell team and we were so glad to hear about the pain relief you’ve been experiencing. Would you be open to sharing your pain management testimonial? If so, please reach out to me at laura.wagstaff@cohnwolfe.com. Thank you!
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Wow, Jen! I stopped by to thank you for following my blog and to visit yours. I am overwhelmed at what you have experienced already in terms of pain and bad luck accidents. Say hello to your newest admirer!
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Hi Tony! Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind words. I look forward to reading your blog in more detail. I love that you were a Reuters correspondent — I’ve worked with magazines and newspapers, but nothing of that caliber. I am also looking to lose weight and keep it off, mainly because exercise is so difficult when I’m in pain, so I use Lose It as well. Can’t wait to read more of your work!
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Check out my page How to Lose Weight and Keep it off. I realize you are a special case, but I think you will be able to find some workable ideas and techniques there. I learned journalism working for
Reuters. Until I got there, I was just a magazine writer. Haven’t looked at their financials in a while but the last time I did there were some thing like 11,000 employees of which only about 1,100 were journalists. It is an electronic communication company now.
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Will do! Thanks so much! 🙂
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I am so happy to have stumbled upon your blog. I was diagnosed with idiopathic peripheral small fiber neuropathy in January and have been going down hill ever since. At the time of diagnosis I could walk, though my feet would ache after 30-40 minutes. Now I’m bedridden and it has spread to my hands. Things I used to take for granted (folding laundry, walking, driving) now causes extreme pain. I tried Lyrica, Neurontin, Topamax, Cymbalta, lidocaine patches, compounded creams with ketamine, lidocaine and who knows what else – nothing worked. The meds kept me catatonic and put 40 pounds on me and carrying around an extra 40 lbs. while dealing with intense pain from any kind of walking is not helpful, kwim?
My awesome husband came across Quell and ordered it for me. I had it for over a week, but didn’t open it. I finally just put it on because the past 3 days my pain was in the ‘should I jump off a building or throw myself in front of a car?’ category. After I set it up I did some googling about it and found your site and now don’t feel so isolated and alone.
I hope I get a good result because I am ready to sell my soul to the devil to make this device work for me. I just want some of my old life back, you know?
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I’m so glad we found each other! I definitely had to google your form of neuropathy. That sounds super intense. I know exactly how you feel. While the Quell has been helping, I have an appointment to talk about internal spinal stimulators — one for the upper half, one for the lower half! I’m just like, replace my spine, gimme a transplant, I’m sure we can make it work. 😉 Has the Quell worked for you at all? I hope it has. It’s given me some relief, which is all I can ask for at this point!
Feel free to DM me if you want to talk. It’s never good to feel isolated or alone! You won’t be either of those here. 😀
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Hi
I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award, its purely volunterly and if you do want to do it then you can find all the details here:
https://itsgoodtobecrazysometimes.wordpress.com/2015/12/28/the-sunshine-blogger-award-2/
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I just joined the group…hi! I am female, almost 61 and in 2001 was bit by a brown recluse spider, on my neck, which only minimally damaged the skin, but due to proximity to the brain, damaged by sympathetic nervous system. This developed into Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, pretty rapidly, then 3-4 years later developed full-blown Fibromyalgia. Also my RSD is rare, as it is whole-body instead of just affecting one limb, I have it everywhere. So I am no stranger to pain, try to keep my quirky sense of humor, and also have a fabulously wonderful Husband.
In April 2016 I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and am now dealing with diet restrictions, weight loss and diabetic nerve pain. Just about the time I feel things can’t get worse they do.
I just received my Quell device today and will let you know how it works for me.
Even with all that, Husband and I are looking forward to starting traveling the USA in 2018, so I am trying to get off of my opioids by then. A goal and something positive to look forward to. ☺️
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Welcome! Thanks so much for visiting! Goodness, I knew brown recluses were awful, but I didn’t know they could do all of that. I am so sorry that you have to go through all of that. It sounds like your sense of humor and Husband are helping you tremendously! Please let me know how the Quell works for you. I am nearing by year anniversary with it and love it to death. I hope it helps with all of your pain! And that cross-country travel sounds amazing!! That’s something I’ve always wanted to do, just jump in the car and go east to west coast! ❤
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Hello again! How long were you on the Quell before you had relief, has it gotten better the longer you used it, and, I promise, last question, how often do you use it? I find that I have some minor slippage issues and worry about wearing it while, like, going to the movies. I have noticed some decreased pain, but wonder if that is just me. I really want to get off the narcotic as it would make getting my meds filled on the road easier. I guess I won’t know how good the pain is actually doing until I start weening myself off, which will probably take months. Thanks so much for your valuable information and your dedication to your cause.
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Hi there! Let’s see… Going back to my first post on the subject, it looks like I noticed a difference during the first Quell session. https://weartearandcare.com/2015/06/17/the-quell-pain-relief-device-living-up-to-its-label/ It’s definitely gotten better the longer I’ve used it, especially as I really figured out how to calibrate it to what I needed. I use it every day, all day, and take it off when I go to bed. Most people don’t take it off, and some even have two (one for each leg), but I’m such a light sleeper that the sensation keeps me awake. I always feel better when I’m laying down anyway. I was able to cut back on Vicodin use, which was lucky, because that was about when they stopped prescribing it. As for the slippage, do you use a lot of skin lotion? They should stick really well. When I put on skin lotion beforehand (I’ve found it helps with any skin irritation), I usually wait about half an hour before applying the electrodes just to make sure it’s all absorbed. Please keep me updated as to how it works for you! 🙂
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Good tips! Thank you so much. I’ve just started using lotions because the diabetes is drying my skin out, even though I drink lots of water every day. I use my Quell all day too and have found I can’t use on my left side, where most of the damage is…so I will be a right-sider lol. I don’t think I could handle two of them and find, that since I have it on sleep mode it usually shuts off after the first night session anyway. I will definitely use the lotion tip! I think most of us with severe, chronic pain are light sleepers, since we feel every movement, even our own. Thank you so very much. I will keep you posted on the Quell progress.
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Good morning, J.W. 😋 I wanted to thank you again. My husband is always after me to “sit in the living room for a change”. Then he saw a response you made where you said either you spend most of your time in bed, or bed was where you were most comfortable. He hasn’t asked once since. He told me he gets it now.
I’m still using the Quell and it must be working because when I don’t use it, my pain levels are more noticeable. How did you figure out the best calibration for you? I did the initial calibration then I just move it up or down, using the app. I pretty much adjust it until it’s too much, then back off a little. I’ve seen other blogs where people have said you should use different intensities, as your body starts to compensate if you use the same one all the time.
Have a wonderful week! 🌞
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Hello my dear! I’m glad your husband understands now. It took my husband a while too — like, why don’t you sit on the couch instead of your reclining chair? And I’ve actually started sitting on the couch recently for short periods of time, and he’s been shocked. (My recliner is far more comfortable for me.) Even weird little things like that can be difficult!
As for my best calibration, it’s a day-by-day thing. Right now it’s up pretty high because I got a new one that needed recalibrating, and somehow I ended up at a far higher setting. Ideally it should be something you notice but don’t focus on. The way you’re doing it sounds perfect. Different intensities does help keep your body from becoming used to it, as does the one-hour-on, one-hour-off aspect. That’s why I haven’t gotten a second one for the other leg like some people have — I want to make sure my body doesn’t get used to it, and I want to give my skin a chance to breathe!
I hope you’re feeling great today!! 🙂
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I just heard your interview on my local NPR station in Philadelphia. I wanted so badly to hug you through the radio!!! You spoke all of my thoughts about dealing with chronic pain & the complications involved in getting pain meds for a bit of relief.
I have suffered from developmental degenerative disk disease for at least 15 yrs now. I was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis & spinal stenosis in 2005. I have the distinction of being a rare case where the stenosis was traveling UP my spine after it had gone down as far as it could go. I have had 4 surgeries – 2005 & 2006 for minimal fusions (3) & just had two extensive surgeries one day apart in October 2015. Those were very extensive. All previous hardware removed, fusion from S1 to T10, nerve decompression, vertebral spacers installed, and then they had to break my spine & install rods at L3 to straighten my back because of developed scoliosis. I am now considered to be disabled & had just retired in May ’15 from 25 yrs at a very physical job as the technical administrator in a biology lab at a community college.
Up until my chronic back issues I led a pretty active life – whitewater canoeing, hiking, camping, biking etc. now, at 61, I have great difficulty even picking up my grandchildren & even wiping myself! It’s so heart breaking. But what’s been worse the past 5 years has been getting the meds that I need. Pre-certifications, pre-approvals, sky high prices and copays are forcing me to attempt to get off the opiates completely. I’m currently on OxyContin because my private insurance would not cover my normal prescription for Nucynta. It’s like getting off of heroin. The withdrawal is horrific. But I can’t put up with the red tape & bureaucracy anymore, no matter how many letters I’ve written to my local, state & federal legislators.
I just wish there was something that I could do to help others. Hearing your words was comfort beyond belief. You helped me feel a bit more like a normal citizen instead of a criminal. And I thank you for that.
Take care!
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You’re so sweet! Thank you!
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i suffer from what they call non-diabetic lumbo-sacral ridiculoplexis neuropathy. a mouth full for sure. On drugs like gabapentin, cymbalta and methadone to control the pain in my burning feet, ankles and legs to my knees. I am non-diabetic. My pain doc mentioned and will give this a try and get back to you via the blog. good luck and thanks for the honest comments.
Pgm
02/09[17
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Hi Jen. My name is Anne Chissell and I am 68 years old living in South Wales.I too had a car accident in 1974,Yes a long time ago 45 years. I broke my back and suffer from chronic neurological pain so I know what you are going through,Thanks for your blog its good to know how fellow sufferes. cope with their daily lives, Anne x
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