Page 19 - HFA Dateline 2016 Q3 Fall

How I Cope with Pain

By David “Tigg” Tignor

“Pain is a

subjective

experience.

It does not have to

be affiliated with

actual tissue damage

and you don’t have

to demonstrate

damage to have pain.

Pain can’t be seen

ain is a serious medical concern in our country. Approximately 100 million
PAmericans suffer from chronic pain. For those living with bleeding disorders, or heard. Pain is
pain as a result of a bleeding episode can result in acute (short-term) and/or chronic different for each
pain issues. Everyone will experience significant and recurring pain at some point
in their lives, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. HFA shares the and every person.”
experiences of Blood Brother, David “Tigg” Tignor and how he manages his pain.
– Dr. Kim Mauer, Comprehensive
What is your personal experience with pain? Pain Management Center and Adult
I have lived with pain all my life. Pain from needles, trauma, bleeds, arthritis, etc. Inpatient Pain Service at Oregon
There are a lot of different ways and levels of pain we experience when living with Health and Science University
severe hemophilia. A big, and consistent, source of pain is my ankles, which are (OHSU)
basically bone-on-bone at this point. The last time I saw an orthopedic surgeon, he
said ankle fusion was my only option and I said "No thank you, I'll deal with the pain."
People are often surprised when I let them know I’m in pain because I’ve become so This article is for educational
good at hiding it. I’m always in pain; when I wake up in the morning my ankles hurt purposes only and is not
pretty badly. In the past, once I started walking, the pain would go down a notch or intended to be construed
two, but it never went away. This was classic chronic pain. In recent months my base- as direct medical advice or
line has intensified so that even with walking I can’t seem to lessen the pain level.
the official opinion/position
If I'm on my feet all day, or have participated in strenuous activities the pain gets of HFA, its staff, or its Board
worse. Sometimes, after resting for a bit after being on my feet a long time, I’ll get a of Directors. Readers are
stabbing sensation, like a large hot needle hitting the bone. That kind of acute pain strongly encouraged to
can drop me to the ground. That kind of pain, well, it'll get your attention pretty quick. discuss their own medical
treatment with their
Of course I have pain beyond just my ankles. Because my ankles are inflamed, the healthcare providers.
muscles all the way up my shins have become inflamed and painful as well. And when

Fall 2016 | Dateline Federation 19