Slightly Depressed?

LegacyUser

Injured my Self playing GAA last year. Really loved playing and now i havent played in over a year- to make things worse i'm in pain daily- actually everytime i walk. I've had an operation 6 months ago which seems to have failed. I'm now waiting on further results to find out whats wrong. Normally i'm a quiet positive person- but i've notcied my mood slipping. Its going through my head at all times and i do spend nights on the internet trying to diagnose myself. its gone to the point where i know i'm obsessed- but it really is because i'm in pain and i cant get away from it. Its got to the point where i feel sick in my stomach worrying will i have this pain forever- i do get slight suicidal taughts- i dont think i'm really suicidal, but the taught of going through this pain for any serious amount of time frightens me. Has anyone any experience in a long term injury and how the coped?

ravima

Go back to GP/Surgeon to discuss the situation.

LegacyUser

well op its not un commen in gaa to suffer injurys that can finish u but i know from expeirance its not the end of the world ur injury might cure might not please dont over think this ur ether u finished at playing at ur level perhaps percheived r not but dont think about it to much theres always things u can participate in the gaa otherwise the body/mind has a unbeliveable ability to cure itself in the right thinking process/enviroment
but hey sometimes u hav to call a spade a spade dont beat ur self up it can/will eat u up in the longrun think positive theres pently of other healthy options b good to ur self

good luck former gaa injuried alco lol

Kevin Duffy

Hi OP, have been through the same process as you, more than once in fact as injuries forced me to change sports and new injuries eventually forced me to change again. At the moment, I have a injury that will likely stop me completely.

Each injury has taught me new things;
Maintain belief that you will recover. Some worthwhile studies have show that it's a key step to recovery as people who believe they will get better are more likely to take the steps they need to recover. It's also credibly theorised that a reduction in stress and its physical effects has a beneficial effect on recovery.
Start using the time you now have that you used for training and playing. Take a coaching badge, learn a new skill (guitar? a language? painting? sports photography or journalism? whatever you fancy) so you stop focussing on what you can't do and find something you can do. Even if it turns out the performance phase of your sports career is over, at least you won't look back on the time you spent trying to recover as wasted.
Maybe a coaching badge will allow you to be involved in a different way, or another role such as fundraising. You may not enjoy it in the same way, but your club will appreciate it and you'll still have access to the same social life.
Remember you're more than just an athlete, you have relationships around you that amount to much more than that. Sport was a huge part of my life, personally and professionally, but getting injured restored my perspective and I know now it's just one part of my life, no matter how big a part.
You'll have good and bad days with your feelings about recovery - whatever way you feel, talk about it. Feeling bad is nothing to be ashamed of, lots of people have been there and people understand. Talk to a counsellor, your friends, your family, players who've gone through the same thing, your GP or anyone else you can, but don't bottle it up and don't get in on yourself.

Best of luck.

LegacyUser

The taught of not playing again doesnt scare me, i came to that opinion around 6 months into the injury. The real problem is the pain i'm in walking or even sitting. I actually cant get away from pain- its like a stabbing pain in my knee. Got new scans and now awaiting results. I've been misdiagnosed 4 times. Even after the operation the said it was fixed and nothing major. I've seen people tear their ACLs twice in the time i'm waiting to heal. Its hard to get through the day in pain- hate walking anywhere now- even to the toilet i need to prepare myself for the walk. Anti iflams do nothing and i avoided pain killers as they werent working and i didnt want to be taking huge amount of pain killers to numb the pain as i know they can become addictive. I keep myself active with other hobbie i have- but as soon as i have to move i know what pain i'm in for.

I'll try stay positve. Just have never been in so much pain in my life.

LegacyUser

ok so it hurts so does life

suck it up uve a pain in ur knee u said ur not going play again is it becuase? or more

think ur selve lucky uv got 2 legs to start off with

im a realist got over it or conquer it u luckly hav that choice?