Here's a shout out to all of you out there dealing with chronic pain:

[hedgehog]

you are stronger than anyone who has always been healthy will ever know!

[ProfessorGAC]

1. Thanks

And, boy you better not display any dysfunction from it. Being able to deal with it and function more or less normally makes people take it far less seriously.

That makes me madder than just having people not get how much one has to endure. Being able to endure it makes people care even less.

[hedgehog]

2. Damned if you do, damned if you don't!

Right now I'm merely recovering from a tooth extraction, but I am reminded of other times. I was practically crippled at one time by carpal tunnel, and I look back and wonder how I could function. I know the pain came on gradually, but I remember specific instances such as trying to put gas in my car that were agony. Anyone who deals with chronic pain of any sort is a hero in my book!