Yes I agree this is a very good question, the answer of which we all struggle with.

I know this is probably a simplified explanation but lately I have been telling people to imagine what it is like if you burn your hand in a fire.

I then explain when something like that happens your nervous system sends signals to your brain to tell you of the danger (pain), it's the normal fight or flight response of our nervous system. Normally people heal fairly quickly and the pain signals stop being sent to the brain, everything goes back to normal.

In my case, my initial injury (a surgery) triggered that response and it got stuck in the "ON" position so my nervous system keeps sending pain signals to my brain telling me that I am hurt. I tell them that there is no "OFF" switch and that my functioning can fluctuate from moment. I let them know that it is chronic and progressive and that I must manage this condition daily.

People still look at me with such disbelief that all this could have happened from a bunion surgery.

MsL