Thanks Ginnie and Leesa, I've actually spent a bit of time looking up the terminology and exactly how each part relates to my symptoms, so it's ironic to log on and get exactly that advice It's also ironic that I feel a little more at ease knowing that there is a reason for the symptoms I'm experiencing and no Ginnie you're right it isn't fun! I initially interpreted the results as being dismissive of the pain and as not accounting for the symptoms - the information on this site alone tells me that it can. I can be very thankful though that things aren't worse - it's heartbreaking to see that so many of you are suffering tremendously. there is no denying the pain and discomfort I'm in nor is there any denying that we are all in pain and discomfort (otherwise we simply wouldn't be here looking for support - we'd be out living life to the fullest!) I'm realizing that pain is such a complex area - even the medical profession seem to struggle with it. I am certainly not going to head down the path of professing that my "pain" is any better or worse than anyone else's (seems like a ridiculous sort of competition - who really want's to come out on top there ???). I guess i was concerned that the results invalidated things and maybe i was imagining it all? because of that i wasn't suffering enough, therefore I couldn't say (or wasn't entitled to say) i was having a bad day or that the pain was driving me up the wall to the point I had had enough . On a site like this where so many are in a really bad way i am really fearful i may offend those who are far worse off clinically.
I really appreciate you welcoming me in and treating me with dignity and respect - I hope that your day is pain free and the best it can possibly be. and thank you so much for the advice. Craig.