Trying to live a normal life despite the pain : women´s lived experience of coping with chronic nonmalignant pain

Abstract

The aim of this phenomenological study was to add to the body of knowledge andto get an understanding of how women with chronic nonmalignant pain cope ineveryday life and how it affects their well-being and daily activities. Chronicnonmalignant pain has been defined as a pain that has lasted 6 months or longer, isongoing, is due to non-life-threatening causes, has not responded to currentavailable treatment methods, and may continue for the remainder of the patient´slife. Coping refers to anything the person does or thinks to manage demands so iteither modifies the environment, or changes the meaning of the situation.Semi-structured, in-depth, tape-recorded interviews were used to collect data afteran informed consent had been obtained from five women with chronicnonmalignant pain in different sites of the body. Their ages ranged from 36 to 53years. Analysis of data followed a method adapted from the Vancouver School ofdoing Phenomenology.An overriding theme, with three major themes and 14 subthemes emerged from thedata. The overriding theme ´Keeping the pain tolerable` can be described as themain goal for the women. In order to be able to keep the pain tolerable the womenfeel they must ´Learn to live with the pain` which is the first major theme whichfocuses on searching for pain relief, it´s causes, and cure, if that exists. ´Feelingone is not alone` is another major theme and describes the necessary support bothprovided by others and by themselves to others in a similar situation. ´No-one cansee that something is wrong` is the last major theme and is centred on the pain´seffect on the self-image and self-esteem, and the importance of an understandingfrom others and a positive self-image.To be able to live a good and fulfilling life with chronic nonmalignant pain andcope with it, the women described how they had to build a new pattern where thepain no longer controls. In reality this pain is very much a part of the sufferer´s lifeat the same time as it is bound to affect other members of his or her family. In alllikelihood it has to be accepted as an incurable one. Intermittent reliefs may helpbut when the pain recurs; one must know how to respond.The result of this study can be helpful for health care professionals to increase thequality of care for chronic pain sufferers and be a guide for further researchfocusing on coping with pain.