Thanks, Roxie. I am really frightened of the intensity of my pain. Not only is it unpleasant (to say the least), but I don't think it is healthy to have that level of pain for more than a few minutes. I think that it is bad for the heart and brain and that it worsens future pain. And it affects my mood long term, I think. I think that it changes "things" in the brain, I'm just not sure what.