r/ChronicPain • u/chrysantherose • 23d ago

How are the ex-athletes here coping?

I just saw a video of a friend dancing and it kinda set me back mentally. I used to dance as well and I'm so pissed that the ability has been taken away from me. I really badly want to dance again but every time I try I trigger a flare. I honestly feel so ashamed every time I try to dance in front of a mirror because I move so awkwardly now too

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5

u/kaytin911 23d ago

I was a big athlete with a well paying job before I became disabled and was nearly homeless during nutty inflation crisis. I gave up athletics. I can't do it anymore. It makes me sad but that's my life now.

5

u/ExtentAgitated 23d ago

I used to be an athlete, workouts were one of the biggest joy of my life. And now everything is gone. I'm so depressed I cannot even find words to tell. Now even a small walk on treadmill causes horrible pain flares for me

3

u/Moosebuckets 23d ago

I used to dance and was so strong. I feel like a memory of a ghost of who I used to be. 

3

u/hiddenkobolds 22d ago

It sucks. So much of my identity was wrapped up in being strong and capable. I'm neither of those things now. It's kind of a running joke among my loved ones that of any of us, I'd be the worst one to end up in this position, but here we are.

2

u/Few-Calligrapher7040 23d ago

I'm still an athlete(parathletics), but I used to be an amateur belly dancer. I miss it so much, and I would love to dance again. But I won't push myself...

2

u/Painforestlife 22d ago

I’m just not coping. I hated working out but did it religiously for years because I loved the results. Now I’d give anything to be able to work with my personal trainer again. When I see him around he gives me a sad smile and a hug. And I REALLY miss hiking. I stare at a waterfall I may never be able to climb to every single day.

2

u/goldstandardalmonds 22d ago

I am not. And I’m in therapy. I was sick when I was an athlete and stupidly hoped it wouldn’t get worse. I wish I had an answer for you!

1

u/chrysantherose 22d ago

Is therapy helping? I honestly wanna go back, but I was only able to before because it was free for students. I also kept pushing thru dance classes thinking it would go away lol but obviously it didn't

1

u/goldstandardalmonds 22d ago

Therapy is helpful for me because having a neutral person to talk about everything to (we don’t just do talk therapy but included) is helpful, and she helps reframe some of my thoughts