I suffer from adhesions and fibromyalgia. Chronic pain has become a
part of my life. I try to consider pain to be a part of living. It is
an expected and necessary part of our interface with the environment.
Pain can be viewed as a reminder of being alive. Fear, anxiety and
depression can modulate one's perception of how bad the pain is. One's
pain threshold can be elevated or lowered based on emotional responses.
Chronic pain persists long after we would expect it to go away. It can
disrupt virtually every aspect of our normal pattern of living. And it
may ultimately require us to make some major, long-term changes in our
life-style. All pain is real, whether or not physicians can find a
clinical reason for it. It's your body and you know if something hurts!
Doubting your own perceptions will just add emotional pain to the
physical pain you are already experiencing. I feel a support group
helps to give validity to your personal experience, as well as allow you
to vent your feelings fo depression or anger. Realize that it's O.K.
Sherry Marie