> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://achronicvoice.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 3 Types of Chronic Pain that Sound Bearable, but are Not - URL: https://achronicvoice.com/chronic-pain-bearable-not/ - Published: 2017-03-07T04:08:24.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-11T14:51:39.000Z - Author: Sheryl Chan - Tags: Chronic Illness Many types of chronic pain conditions are often overlooked because they don't sound that painful or difficult to deal with. The person may even look "normal" or "well". Are they just craving attention, being lazy or faking it? Before experiencing these symptoms for myself, I too, have been guilty of ignorant and unkind thoughts within the privacy of my mind. Let's take a closer look at these invisible illnesses, and how and why they can hurt so much. *\*Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on my personal experiences as a patient. *I am not a doctor, and nothing in this article should be substituted for medical advice.* Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding *any* new treatment protocols. This post may also contain affiliate links. It will cost you nothing to click on them. I will get a small referral fee from purchases you make, which helps with the maintenance of this blog. Read our* [***Privacy Policy***](https://achronicvoice.com/privacy-policy/)*page for more information. Thank you!* Pin to Your Types of Chronic Pain & Invisible Disability Boards: ![3 Types of Chronic Pain that Sound Bearable, but are Not - Read on A Chronic Voice .com](https://cdn.achronicvoice.com/awareness-3-types-pain-sound-bearable-but-not.jpg) ## 1\. Joint Aches “It’s one of those little things that old people complain about. It’s only an ache, not even a ‘real’ disease, how bad can it be?” That was before I developed [Lupus (SLE)](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000435.htm) and [Sjögren's disease](https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sjogrens-disease), and learned just how wrong I could be. I learned that it isn't only a 'little' pain, but a debilitating one that cripples you. Your elbows, knees, wrists, ankles and all other joints puff up into a sensitive, red swell. The slightest alteration of angles or an accidental brush against any surface triggers intense pain. Simple tasks such as hailing a cab or fastening your bra question your physical abilities and mental stamina - your status as an adult human being. Forget about ‘light’ exercises - you have trouble even walking to the bathroom. Someone I know suffered these horrid aches for four years. She had to climb staircases by sitting and pushing her ass up one step at a time, every damn day. Read Related Posts: - [How Many Times Can You Hit Rock Bottom with Chronic Illness?](https://achronicvoice.com/rock-bottom/) - [“But That’s Normal for Me” (Why I Mistook Dengue Fever for a Lupus Flare)](https://achronicvoice.com/mistook-dengue-fever-lupus-flare/) - [Tips & Tools to Help Regain Independence with a Disability or Chronic Illness](https://achronicvoice.com/regain-independence-disability-chronic-illness/) - [How to Maximise Accessibility & Improve Your Quality of Life at Home](https://achronicvoice.com/maximise-accessibility-home/) - [12 Visible Evidence of a Body Gone Rogue (Is Invisible Illness Truly Invisible?)](https://achronicvoice.com/visible-evidence-invisible-illness/) ## 2\. Muscle Aches “Is it like a muscular ache you get after exercising?” This is the most common question I get from curious friends (thank you for asking!). “That muscular ache can feel quite good, actually!” Unfortunately, this muscular ache does not feel good in any remote sense of the word. In fact, it's worse than joint aches, as even strong painkillers do nothing to ease this type of muscle pain. But...what does it feel like? Well, it feels like thick nails pounding through your muscles, deep into your bones, relentless and monotonous. It is severe enough to keep you up all night, rocking your body in delirium whilst screaming for help. (I also have Lupus, but for me the joint and muscle pains from Sjögren's disease are more painful as they are more widespread.) Read Related Posts: - [Why Painkillers are One of My Biggest Allies for a Decent Quality of Life](https://achronicvoice.com/painkillers-quality-of-life/) - [A Pain Pill, a Caress, an Exhalation of Relief](https://achronicvoice.com/pain-pill-caress-relief/) - [What’s it Like to be on a High Dose of Steroids? (And the First Question You Will Definitely Ask)](https://achronicvoice.com/high-dose-steroids/) - [Is Yoga Accessible for People with Chronic Illness?](https://achronicvoice.com/accessible-yoga-chronic-illness/) - [A Roundup of Biggest Pain Flare Triggers (from 40 People with Chronic Illness)](https://achronicvoice.com/pain-flare-triggers/) ## 3\. Dry Eyes and Mouth You’d imagine [dry eyes](https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-dry-eye) or a [dry mouth](https://www.hopkinssjogrens.org/disease-information/treatment/management-of-dry-mouth/) to be more of an annoyance, but it can make a tremendous impact on the quality of your life. Having dry, inflamed eyes is like having sand scratch against your eyeballs all day long. I would bathe them in eye drops, but the relief provided would only last for that brief moment of contact. Having a dry mouth is a bigger torture. A million tiny pins piercing through the surface of your tongue, throat, cheeks and lips. A burning sensation, as if sucking on chilli, thrown in for good measure. Who would have thought that moisture levels could be so deceptive in their ability to cause pain? You'd think that restoration would be easy through either natural or artificial means, but no. ## In Conclusion to Types of Chronic Pain That Can be Unbearable These conditions grip you in their vices, and [keep you up all night](https://achronicvoice.substack.com/p/post-esophageal-surgery-now-my-life). Distraction hardly works. If you do manage to drift off to sleep, it is from the exhaustion of enduring too much pain. This is not a complete list of the many types of chronic pain that can be debilitating and unbearable. I've also developed many new health issues from when I first wrote this post; I'll update this article at a later date. Other chronically ill patients also experience different types of chronic pain that can be very different from my own. To the rest of you out there, what other symptoms or side effects did you deem a "lame excuse" or "not such a big deal", before experiencing them for yourself? And to those who are curious about other symptoms, what else would you like us to try describing? Let us know, we'd be happy to share! ## Sign Up for My Free Newsletter Be the first to get the latest post updates in your inbox, and unlock the comments section. You will also receive an e-book full of uplifting messages, quotes and illustrations as a token of appreciation! 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Read Related Posts: - [My Personal Experiences with Epiphrenic Esophageal Diverticulum (Plus Tips to Help Cope)](https://achronicvoice.com/epiphrenic-esophageal-diverticulum-personal-experiences-tips/) - [40 People with Chronic Illness Share Their Best Pain Management Tips (What to Do if an Unforeseen Pain Flare Hits)](https://achronicvoice.com/pain-management-tips-pain-flare/) - [Sometimes, Physical Pain Isn’t the Worst Part About Chronic Illness](https://achronicvoice.com/worst-part-about-chronic-illness/) - [How to Use the 7 Dimensions of Wellness to Thrive with Chronic Pain](https://achronicvoice.com/dimensions-of-wellness-thrive-chronic-pain/) - [Resources & Therapies for Pain After Major Knee Surgery](https://achronicvoice.com/therapies-for-pain-after-major-knee-surgery/) ### Comments Archives: Comments imported from previous WordPress site. - [ the joyous living ](https://www.thejoyousliving.com) Aug 24, 2020 well said … i have all three and they might not seem that big a deal but they keep me from working and living my best life. - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Sep 12, 2020 Yes indeed. They sound non consequential or trivial but boy do they distract and irritate and frustrate and decrease your quality of life by a ton! **Start a new conversation in the Member Comments below!**