Hi Blake,
Hang in there. My daughter is 14 and has had this for 2 years. I know what you mean about your friends not understanding it. It's just so outside the realm of experience of a typical teenager, they cannot even begin to fathom it. I know that this illness is lonely for everyone, but I think being a teen is just an extra burden, when your friends are so central to your life and they just don't get it.

My daughter had a similar experience with a multi-week pain rehab program. Things got worse at first, but now, 2 years later, her pain is just starting to go down a bit. None of the medicines helped her, but I think not giving up and staying active has. Good luck!

BraveGirl's mom