Lessa, I posted before. But wanted to let you know again, it is ok to talk about your CRPS issues, just don't make it all you talk about, that's when you become "that person" you described. Letting yourself grieve, at least to me and the one person I actually associate with in person with CRPS has helped us tremendously. It's like letting go of a huge burden. You may need to grieve alone, you may have help, you may need counseling help to get through this, all of those are completely normal!!! Any "normal" person would be incredibly upset by realizing that they can't do a lot of things they used to be able to do and their life is altered suddenly by this thing.... I am so glad you explained to your wife about the grieving process and she was receptive to that. It is sooooo very hard for people that don't experience all our challenges and pain daily to get or understand a tiny portion of it. Like I said in an earlier post, I don't think you have to go the complete silence route, as you need to vent. Just find the appropriate audience to do so. Like I said before, I avoided support groups, etc., like the plague before as they were very negative when I was diagnosed (2004) or maybe I just didn't find the right place. I feel there are many kind and knowledgeable people here that really just want to help. I guess that is where I am at right now. I am having a very hard setback and other (new) medical issues so I would just like a distraction now in helping others so I don't think about myself. Please don't feel sorry or anything for me, I just want to help you all. Take care and let yourself grieve your losses due to CRPS (don't focus on them), just try and let them go and focus on the good and great things you can still do!! Also, always know now, you can be of tremendous help to others that are suffering as you have been there and have the awareness to try and take care of yourself. Sorry for the long reply. I am currently trying to focus on anything but myself