Chronic Pain Sufferers Form Support Group

SEBRING - Sandy Lankford wakes up everyday not knowing what's next.

"Sometimes you don't know how your day is going to go," said Sandy, who suffers from fibromyalgia, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. "This morning I felt fine, but now I'm in pain. It happens all the time. It's called a flare."

Lankford, a former teacher at Bowling Green Elementary School, was forced out of work when she suffered a stroke a few years ago.

"I became very sick, but I keep trying to work. Then I had a stroke and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia," said Sandy. "I tried for three years to go back to work, but I just couldn't do it." Fibromyalgia causes severe pain in Sandy's muscles, tendons and joints. It's a chronic pain, or pain that occurs daily and lasts for more than six-months at a time.

Chronic pain became a common theme in the Lankford home, as Sandy's husband John went through health problems and chronic pain relating to diabetes.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke recently released a study estimating annual costs cause by chronic pain to be close to $50 billion to patients, health care providers, and employers.

Last month, the Lankford's decided to do something about their issues while trying to help out others, and planned a support group named "Christians in Chronic Pain."

"I was surprised by the response that I received," said Sandy. "A lot of people wanted to call me and tell me about the pain they were in. Some people detailed how they had problems leaving the house."

"There are a number of people who have to deal with the problem," said John. "A lot of people feel like they are isolated because they feel like they cannot go out. It's a reason why they need support."

Earlier this month the group held its first monthly meeting. About 15-20 people showed up, a number that Sandy expects to increase during upcoming meetings.

"Because it was our first meeting, we mostly shared stories with each other," said Sandy. "We did a lot of comparison, and we used each other to provide ways of help."

"Everyone wanted to talk," said Sandy. "Sometimes people can't relate to the types of pain that people have to deal with on an everyday basis. That's why it's important, because in some way, everyone who is sharing their story is dealing with pain."

The Lankford's said that they had been to other support group meetings in the past dealing with their various ailments. The meetings often turned them off.

"Sometimes in those meetings people go because they want to sell you something, like a magic pill that will cure your pain, but we're not like that," said Sandy. "We don't want people to attend our meetings who have an agenda."

Sandy said that although the group shares a non-denominational Christian prayer at the end of its meetings, it is open to anyone who wants to join.

For information about Christians in Chronic Pain, contact Sandy Lankford at 863-385-7871.