Welcome! The first inaugural post of a blog should be something besides “Hi, hello out there in blogland, this is my first post.” So, I thought I’d do something a little different — an interview with myself. Hey, why not? I know what questions to ask. Plus, I won’t go all “that’s off the record” on myself, either.
Here we go!
So, Sherrie, thanks for the interview.
Oh, you’re welcome. My pleasure. Thanks for the interest.
First things first, I suppose. Why is this site called “The Tramadol Diaries”?
Well, Sherrie, several reasons really. First, I wanted this site to have a conversational, slightly confessional tone to it. So the “Diaries” part was a no-brainer. The “Tramadol” part is equally easy, because tramadol saved my life. Plus, together, it just sounds funny. Tramadol Diaries. Kinda like “True Confessions” or “Victoria’s Secret.” Maybe not as pretty.
Tramadol saved your life? That’s a pretty bold statement.
Well, it’s true. I wrestled with fibromyalgia symptoms and pain from degenerative disk disease and scoliosis for several years, using only over the counter pain relievers and conservative treatments. I tried everything that was available to me — chiropractic, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, supplements, guaifenisin, special brands of yoga therapy — nothing really worked for me, not completely. Then I read a study abstract that concluded tramadol plus acetaminophen worked well in some fibro patients. So, I tried it. And it worked for me.
What does “worked” mean, exactly? What was the difference in your pain level or your daily life, if you will?
It was the difference between “coping” and “living.” See, I was functional all along, although sometimes just barely. But I was always in a level of pain that prevented most physical activities, including playing with my daughter and housework. The housework part I didn’t mind so much but the playing with the kid? That one was bad news. The combination of tramadol and acetaminophen let me regain some measure of physical activity.
So are you all better now?
I wish. Far from it. I still have flareups — lately, I’ve had a lot of bad ones. See, as my other chronic conditions get worse they seem to trigger fibro flares. When that happens, it’s like a really bad flu, all the time. Horrible aches and pains, complete lack of energy. Even pulling the bedcovers up over my torso makes my arms feel like I’ve gone ten rounds with Tyson in the ring.
What do you do during flareups?
Cry. Whimper. If I can muster the energy, I sink into a very warm bath for a long, long while. If not, I just lie there and try not to think too much.
You say it got worse recently. What’s that been like?
Well, it put an end to my solo lawyer practice, prematurely. I’d planned to resign for some time but not quite this early. But I had to face the truth earlier this year — that I just could not continue to do the job, not in the way the clients needed me to. So, I resigned. Now, I’m focusing on transitioning into full-time writing and coaching, two things I am very passionate about and love to do. Plus, I think I’m better at that than being a lawyer, frankly. Lawyering was always something of a tortuous exercise for me — it didn’t come naturally the way writing and coaching seem to.
And what’s next for you?
Well, I hope to grow this blog into something valuable for all chronic pain sufferers. No matter what the underlying condition might be, we all have similar obstacles to face. We have to renegotiate life, basically, on completely new terms. There are legal issues, and relationship struggles, and parenting crises … basically every aspect of life is impacted by chronic pain. I want to help others navigate that obstacle course and do something more than just live through it. I want to help others bring joy back into their lives. So, I’m writing a book, which for now is tentatively titled The Tramadol Diaries, same as the blog, but that’s probably gonna change at some point.
Sounds interes…
Oh, I’m also learning to play the violin, too.
Uh-huh.
And … no, that’s it. Book and violin.
Oookay, then. Anything else we should know?
I hate liver. Also: humid heat.
But you live in coastal South Carolina.
Yeah. I know. Not too bright, huh?
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What a confident way to kick off a blog, of course I approve
As well as hating liver, I’m very much someone who looks for positive intention in what we write, and I can hear so much of that in what you describe here – your words are going to make a difference, not just for you, but for other people. I know that will help you to make this blog a success.
All best wishes
Joanna
Thanks Joanna! And thank you for the validation on the liver thing. I mean, do you know what the liver DOES in the body? It’s like eating your car’s oil filter after it’s been in there three months. Blech.
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