I am a new member who has never felt the need to post. For years, I have followed the various permutations of this forum, and have found most every answer to my questions. I recall names like Harley, Jenn123 and so many others. When one takes, one must give. It sounds more profound than it is. For me, it is a simple truth. I have a number of diagnoses, none of which I asked for, nor caused. The most treacherous is RSD/CRPS. Combined with many other painful conditions, I find that when I stub my toe, it is an inconvenience, more than the agonizing misfortune it was those ten years ago. Funny, when you live with intolerable pain, what used to cause anguish and acute pain along with the requisite expletives, no longer hurts as much when you have real pain. Real pain is a debilitating and intense sensation. I suppose some might ask, "Who is this guy?" I am an optimistic realist who hurts. As time passes, we will know much about each other. I apologize, but I am not ready to write my auto-biography at this hour. My contributions over time will reveal much of who I am. I was approved for SSDI at the end of 2011, with my SSDI benefits retroactive to 2009. I was told by my attorney/surfer dude, that my assigned judge approved only 28% of SSDI cases. So, I told said attorney to do only what was required he do, and then let me handle it. Sometimes the honest appeal of a suffering person outweighs the repetitive legalese spewed forth by lawyers. No offense to attorneys, as I have had great experiences with many. One bad apple... My premise at the SSDI hearing was blunt honesty coupled with the respect a judge deserves. The court session lasted maybe 45 minutes. Often, the judge asked the transcriber to cease recording, as we were "off the record." He probed more as a psychologist than a judge, which suited me fine. The judge my attorney all but gave up on, awarded me the aforementioned benefits from the bench; supposedly the first time he had done so. Those of us in pain which can exceed the pain of labor without anesthesia for days, weeks and longer, apparently exhibit behaviors that, at least this naysayer of a judge, can read like a book. One thing I have learned, is that pain doesn't beg for sympathy. Our brains must have a mechanism by which short term, but intense pain is not remembered as being as intense as the moment those without chronic pain recall. Why else would a mother ever have more than one child? We are often on our own with our pains, and must learn to find ways to remain stable and sane, when the medication and treatments don't cut it. I suppose that I have rambled on without adding much substance long enough. The bottom line of this post is that I am here, and am willing to offer advice, be a friend, or just listen and encourage fellow chronic pain sufferers to keep on, keepin' on. We are more than our pain, even when it seems otherwise. I hope to engage with the contributors to this group, and encourage others that while following the posts is fine, it feels better to contributor. It's good to be here.