Here is your hug:

But I have to say, anyone with a chronic pain issue, has to learn to focus elsewhere in order to have any quality of life.

The more you pay attention to the pain, the more it will become a fixed response and constantly torture you. Only you can change your perception of your situation. I strongly advise self hypnosis as an option to learn to dissociate from your troubling bodily sensations.

I focus on my family, pets, and hobbies, to minimize the pain I have. It does not "go away" but becomes bearable. Everyone has some bodily challenge. It might be epilepsy, a closed head injury, arthritis, MS, MG, cancer or whatever. Just read our other boards and see how many people are struggling every day with something.

I have to be blunt here. You don't have to convince others of your discomfort. I don't discuss my pain anyone anymore. No one wants to hear it. They have their own troubles. And in the same vein, they are not responsible for your pain either. Take it one day at a time, and do things you enjoy doing. I personally enjoy growing things, seeing them start from tiny seeds and becoming beautiful flowers. So that is one way, I keep my focus away from my slowing deteriorating body. I can't bowl anymore, I can't play tennis or racketball anymore, I can't stand on ladders anymore, but there are other things I can still do and enjoy. My house is more scattered and cluttered because I don't have the energy to keep it perfectly anymore, but hubby doesn't mind. So that stressor is less for me too.

You have to prioritize you life, and only you can do that.
Ask your psychologist to give you EMDR, that can help with anxiety. Also have her teach you self hypnosis. Those skills can help you cope.

Here is your hug from me...( )


now, as MRSD said, but without her wonderful sense of civility and tact .....here is what else you need....

A kick in the behind.....

You can not focus on this disease....you MUST, absolutely MUST distract yourself.

We all go thru periods of wallowing....I have. I still do. But nothing is as helpful as distraction....I too focus on my children, grandchildren, my small farm, my pets...and I am mindful that I can only inflict so much misery on my husband before he tells me to 'take a hike' and not in the literal sense.

Suffering is draining to others. It multiplies itself. It rubs off on others, even psychotherapists.

Here is another hug ( )....and a cold compress for where I kicked your butt....You can get thru this!

First, for the need to open the dictionary for the new words.

And second - this is exactly what I need. - guideline for how to behave with the new situation.
I'm trying not to focus on my pains (I don't like to use the word - illness).
But from time to time - I need those people who understand me. And you are those people.
I can get any "kick off" from you - because - you know what I'm talking about. you are there - more or less.And - what I'm telling myself is that if you can - I can also.

continue to challange me with new words in English. this can be the benefit of my PN...

*** What is your native language? Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?

Cowboy

I usually speak Hebrew...
I have SFN for almost 5 years, probably toxic.

I would like ti write more - but I don't know what...