It is a good description, and some of those issues still apply to me, BUT it also sounds more like me before my pain meds were adequately prescribed. If you are living in level 8 pain or Higher all day long, then you and your doc have not yet worked your meds out IMO. You get over the embarrassment of needing help, you learn to adapt, etc. Remission is our goal, but you don't have to live in agony until that day comes. On a normal low functioning day, my pain is more like 3-7, and when it starts escalating I have breakthrough meds and other coping tools.