Hi Ginny: Don't apologize for being confused. The doctors are confused too. I'm sure part of the problem is me in that I don't communicate very well about the pain. I have it all analyzed and compartmentalized in my head but for some reason can't get this across to them. (in the 15 minutes you get with them) The best I could do was with the pain doctor when I told him I was obsessed with the pain and it was ruining my life. So what does he conclude- "definitely some degree of depression here." UGH. What did he expect me to say "Golly gee, this pain is a nuisance but hey, no problem, I can handle it." My only hope is my long term relationship with my pcp coupled with my persistance or else a severe flare that the doctors can't ignore. What the celebrex seems to have done is separate the different pains from one another. It's hard to do that when you have pain from different sources. Celebrex has helped the deep, aching, boring pain on the right side (which is what was really getting to me) plus the pain in the back rt SI joint. What I am left with is some residual burning type pain on the right side, just enough to remind me that my problem is not solved, only covered up. I have no idea what this is (it could be something else like the adhesions, or the bowel, or it could be breakthrough pain from what I think is the SI pain) but I can function with it. It's hard to discuss with the doctors what this is when they haven't yet agreed what the problem is! That's interesting about your pain from prolonged lying in bed being relieved (somewhat) when you got up and around. You always think of bed rest for back problems, but my pcp did say that what you and I experienced pointed towards a lumbar-sacral problem. That really surprised me. As far as handling the emotional side of pain, I'm no help there. I have held out with my normal routine for as long as I possibly can but am starting to give in a little. Yesterday my husband remarked I had quite a puss on and so I just said "well, you have to understand I am in considerable pain." (from the mouth ulcer)but I haven't been very open with people outside my family. Maybe the anger etc. is something you just work through as time goes on. You are one step ahead in that now your problem has a name and doctors can deal with that. I think that I would be more willing to open up with others if I had a label to put on it. Every aspect of chronic illness is very frustrating.
Chris