Hi Rain Shower,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

Wow. I am sorry for all you have been enduring.

I understand either approach: Keeping pain to ourselves and sharing details.

I had started out keeping much to myself. I did not want to overwhelm anyone. In time, I had found I was better off sharing more. Once I had started sharing, I then found out who had the capacity to listen and who did not. When I realized more fully that most in my family of origin cannot listen, I knew where I had gotten the idea that it was best for me to be silent.

My husband and friends are different though, they can listen and they can be there for me. I have always been there for them, as well. I also have a very supportive aunt. Thankfully.

This is a very supportive "family" here. I am glad you are here with us and am also glad to see AlaskanLady join in, as well.

Many here have gone through so much, they have learned all about pain and compassion, the importance of loving kindness.

I am also so impressed by the moderators/admin here, as they have each spent years supporting many hurting people. They have been here for countless people, trying to help in one way or another, without fail, for many years. All angels.

I, personally, feel you are very wise to use caution with the SCS. We all hope the newest technology will be the best and will be helpful. Yet, the reports/stats won't be in until the newest technology has been in use for awhile.

I am glad you find this forum helpful.
I often visit the whole board when in pain, as it can provide a distraction for me. There are times when I am in more pain and cannot use my computer at all. (I had noticed I was here last night, writing, while gritting my teeth from the pain in my feet. I guess I felt it helpful to be here with some distraction.)

Sometimes, I find the "social chat" and other areas on this board very helpful. Someone will start a music thread, tell a joke, share a movie, share photos of nature, share artwork, share about pets, word games, etc. I find this very helpful at times. It's a distraction and I am easily affected by music, by the beauty of nature, etc.

I have found some other approaches helpful. I use breathing exercises to keep tension/anxiety at bay. I use visualization exercises when there is too much pain. Breathing exercises can also help pain by increasing circulation.
Meditation can also be helpful. There are many types of approaches which may help some.

I hope you have enough assistance with anxiety and depression?
These can compound the pain in a big way.

There is also an anxiety and a depression forum here.
We have been recently posting breathing exercises and meditations we find helpful. It's interesting to see what people find helpful.

I hope you will keep us updated as you feel up to doing so.


DejaVu