Severe pain- imaginary 'helpers'

[hurkleho]

Hi, I've suffered from severe headaches and vomiting since I was a child, caused by being born spina bifida.

A strange phenomenon occasionally happens after I've been in severe pain (and vomiting every 15 mins) for many days. I'm lying there, completely mentally & physically exhausted, and fear that the next vomit might actually kill me with the pain. It's then that the 'helpers' take over, and take turns vomiting for me.

I know that it sounds completely schizo, and I am not delusional at any other time and have no other mental health issues. It's like my brain knows that I can't take any more, and invents other people to help me out, by taking turns to accept the pain. I'm vaguely aware of it at the time, and loved ones have occasionally heard me say 'It's your turn', but by this stage, I'm generally so far through that I really feel near death. It's not a conscious thing, it happens of it's own accord, and has done since I was a child.

Does anyone have any experience of this or something similar?

[Mosaic]

It sounds a beautiful way that your body and mind have worked together to cope with extreme physical stress. Lucky you! I am jealous as I am very literal and have no apparent capacity to 'believe', so when pain hits I feel all of it alone.....

[hurkleho]

I wouldn't call it 'lucky', Mosaic, I would call it something like a near death experience from being severely ill... :-(

[crisgal]

oh my goodness hurkleho - that sounds so scary! I can't imagine how terrible you must feel at that point. How often does it get that bad?
I would think it's probable that others in severe pain experience something similar. A coping mechanism, as you say.

[Sqad]

hurkleho....you saythat you were born with spina bifida, may I ask if it was associated with hydrocephalus and if so, did you have a valve fitted?

[hurkleho]

Hi sqad, no hydocephalus, no valve. SB was closed via surgery as a baby & I regained use of my legs, but have been left with severe scoliosis

[hurkleho]

Hi Crisgal, gets that bad every six months or so. Normally have headaches & vomiting about 4 days a week, but get time to recover & rehydrate between bouts. Only get the 'helpers' when I've been constantly sick for a week or more...

[Sqad]

OK thanks...I did wonder if the headaches and vomiting were indications of a blocked valve....clearly not the case.

The headaches and vomiting, sever enough to have a "near death experience" can be explained on scientific grounds as the body reacts by producing endorphins.
Endorphins,PCP, LSD, Marijuana, cocaine, heroin and morphine all may cause distortions of reality, alterations of body image, and disorientation as to time and place. The near-death experience does not involve distortions of reality, but rather the perception of another reality superimposed over this one.

Best I can do ;-)

[crisgal]

isn't there any medication that can help your symptoms? I can't imagine how you cope!

[hurkleho]

Crisgal, I've tried everything. I've been on anything and everything from the docs, tried homeopathy, acupuncture, reiki, herbal, you name it. After 27 years I've just had to learn to deal with it.