Chapter 1: Defining Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a profound and often isolating experience. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 50 million adults in the U.S.—roughly 20.9% of those over 18—are affected by it. Yet, many who suffer feel invisible, struggling to articulate their daily battles to family, friends, healthcare providers, and policymakers.

As I prepare my upcoming book, Hurt Feelings: Inside the Emotions of Living in Chronic Pain, I've delved into the many facets of this issue. Below are 25 powerful descriptions of chronic pain sourced from the r/ChronicPain community on Reddit (with minor edits for clarity):

1. "My stomach feels like a mix of Tabasco sauce and broken glass, simmering in boiling oil that’s being drilled into me all day." — Nihlisa666
2. "It feels like being run over by a car and then tossed off a cliff." — SaffronxSumac
3. "It's like being a middle schooler, bullied and beaten every day." — 01Zion
4. "My body feels like a crumpled shirt stuffed in the corner of a suitcase. I can’t explain it, but it resonates perfectly in my mind." — ListenDazzling3274
5. "I experience zaps of pain akin to electric shocks or bee stings. Just the other day, I was stung by a wasp, and it took me a moment to realize it wasn’t just my usual pain." — AdministrativeLet192
6. "I once told my doctor it feels like my bones are made of glass, with my muscles and nerves stretched tight over their jagged edges." — Inevitable-Cloud13
7. "Imagine the worst hangover combined with Covid." — SignificanceSoft8204
8. "My lower back feels like I just survived a double shift on Mother’s Day." — Miserable-Factor-534
9. "I liken my pain to being ambushed by knife-wielding ghosts, with moments of intense, blunt pain that feel as if it's rooted in my bones." — Mysterious-Stick4738
10. "Sharp, stabbing pain; I brace myself when I cough, sneeze, or orgasm. To avoid pain, I steer clear of colds, flu, and even laughter." — tren4724
11. "Some days, the pain is a deep ache, frustrating but manageable. Other days, it feels like my entire upper body has been pummeled by Mike Tyson." — EitherChannel4874
12. "It feels as if my ribs are bound in a tight corset, each breath piercing me with knives." — 1Carlie1
13. "In my most comfortable state, it feels like getting slapped in the groin every 20-30 seconds. When I’m cooking or showering, it’s every 5-10 seconds, compounded by a demon attacking my legs." — BoneHugsHominy
14. "Some areas burn like searing onions, others feel like overcooked potatoes, and the rest is like damp sawdust." — HighNoonMoon1976
15. "During flare-ups, I describe it as a spear thrust through my back and out my chest, but I often stop there; most aren't keen to hear more." — MrFlibblesPenguin
16. "At its worst, the pain feels like a vise crushing my rib cage, making it hard to breathe deeply without discomfort." — pandapam7
17. "It’s as if I've run a thousand-kilometer marathon uphill in July, carrying boulders. If I stop, I’m rooted for hours; if I push on, my senses begin to fail." — Tiffanyblue235
18. "I call hip pain 'the chicken wing feeling,' as it mirrors the action of pulling a chicken wing apart." — lilybear032
19. "My knees feel like rusty hinges—grinding, creaking, and painfully stiff, sometimes giving out unexpectedly." — MYOB3
20. "It feels like all the nerves and muscles in my neck are being squeezed by King Kong." — Leahmcchicken
21. "I feel like I'm constantly giving a piggyback ride to someone with their knees digging into my back." — babybookwyrm
22. "My muscles feel like a dishrag being wrung out tightly with no reprieve." — Loud-Mulberry-1148
23. "Migraines feel like someone is squeezing my temples while my eyes burn with chlorine." — yresimdemus
24. "It’s as if a nerve was crushed under a hydraulic press, or like consuming far too much street food." — Albort-w
25. "It feels like an elephant in stilettos has stepped on me." — Luna-wolfe27

Stories of Living with Chronic Pain: This video shares personal narratives that highlight the daily challenges faced by those living with chronic pain, offering deeper insight into their experiences.

I'm interested in your thoughts. How did these descriptions resonate with you? Did you empathize with the struggles, or do you think the individuals are overreacting or seeking attention?

Unfortunately, chronic pain sufferers often face skepticism. Many are told to "toughen up" or "get over it." However, the conversations in the Reddit chronic pain community reveal genuine struggles and heartfelt attempts to make their experiences understood through imperfect yet meaningful metaphors.

I hear the voices of those in pain, yearning to be validated, understood, and supported.

Randall H. Duckett is documenting the emotional landscape of chronic pain and invites others to share their stories. Reach out to him at [email protected]. He is also the author of Seven Cs: The Elements of Effective Writing, available on Amazon. More about him can be found at randallhduckett.com.

Chapter 2: Emotional Insights into Chronic Pain

Struggling to Be Me with Chronic Pain: This video explores the emotional toll of chronic pain, detailing how it affects identity and daily life, and the importance of finding support.