Well, quite often drs will suggest "speaking to someone" or place blame on emotional or mental stress - esp when pain & symptoms continue after a course of treatments or surgery.

May or may not be a factor in the continued symptoms.

Where did I say I have arrived?!!!! I struggle every day with what i can't do that I used to. but I also realize, just like everyone on this Earth, my days have a number on them, and they count down one-a-day just like everyone else. . . . and if I am going to leave my mark (hopefully a good one) on this world, then it is up to me to find a way. It is much like my training to climb mountains. . . . the mountain didn't care one way or the other if I was up there struggling, so it was up to me to be a strong and positive as I could be!

In my case, 6-12 months is normal for full recovery and control after j-pouch surgery. Since i was getting worse and losing ground approaching one year, I realized it was unlikely to get much better. I have an occasional stellar great day . . . . about 1 or 2 a month. Most are somewhat tolerable, with a good smattering of days I lose completely to pain control meds.

But being an artist, the ideas I have in my head won't ever see the light of day if I don't paint them, now, will they? What if Frida Kahlo had given up . . . or Van Gogh, or Monet, when he learned he was going blind?

Gotta admit, though, I have days I would love to just give up. But I have family and loved ones who keep me going. . . . . and a really silly cat. . . .

i would agree with you that after treatment this could be a possibility; there are in general 4 levels of aniety [B]mild,moderate,severe and panic[/B]. to have a level that would imped healing would be in mod-severe stage, and require medical attention due to fight/flight . if the body is left for a long time in this stage exhaustion sets in and you must get help or death could occur. i am 6 mo. post op and staying that long in anxiety would exhibit symptoms that i just do not have. adding anxiety to my current dx. i guess in a sence would be beneficial to my claim but it does not exist to the level the dr. claims and i am not about to start manufacturing/faking symptoms to prolong my healing and to stay out of work longer. i am sure people out there do have these symptoms and it must be so difficult for them. i am just not one of them. if dr. really felt my anxiety was so bad he would of ordered a psy. eval. the only treatment i have had since surgery was surgery itself. dr. wont order/give PT of any kind, says nothing will help me. the only treatment i had prior to surgery was nerve root block. i have never had therapy of any kind. kinda odd i think due to the fact most everyone will receive some kinda therepy especially after ACDF. irreguardless i found excercises on line for my condtion and perform everyday. basically range of motion.
i too have family who are my inspiration and also have mini toy pinctures who light up my life. they also weigh 5lbs or under so lifting them is great weight training to some degree. cant climb mountains but i can walk and so i do daily. also i have been reading on the benefits of meditation and deep breathing. great ways to get in touch with self and losing weight with deep breathing has been documented.