[QUOTE=invisable;704180]

I find myself looking at my friends, etc....my age and actually feeling jealous, resentful, not nice thoughts!

*** Whenever I feel myself becoming depressed about my condition, I actively seek out friends -- not to complain about my condition, but to just have some human interaction. It's a distraction from the pain and I don't focus so much on it.

*** Reading a new book called [U]The Pain Chronicles[U] :

http://www.amazon.com/Pain-Chronicle...6983109&sr=8-1

and she discusses the fact that chronic pain changes the brain and always leads to depression. The fact you're posting here is a healthy action, but you should talk with your provider to see if there is any other help they can give.

*** Yes. It is depressing to think that every single damn day for the rest of my life I will be taking pills, applying Lidoderm patches and having to limit my evening activities. But when I consider the alternative.... well, I'm grateful for what I do have. For now.


*** Earlier this week I thanked my wife for listening so patiently when I whine and complain. I try to not put that all on her because the simple fact is despite all of her expressed sympathy, she cannot truly sympathize with me because she doesn't have chronic pain.

*** This message board, on the other hand, is full of people who have chronic pain and understand, so it's a safe place to complain.

*** BTW, I do use a sleep aide maybe 50% of the time, but it is Ambien. You may want to switch to an actual sleep aide rather than the valium. My doc says it is totally acceptable use (even daily) of the ambien.

CB