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OP, my heart swells for you. I am so sorry you are experiencing so much pain. It is such a silent and solo walk through, well, hell.

On the support side: there is an awesome org called 7 Cups of Tea that is "free, anonymous, and confidential conversations with trained active listeners. All conversations are deleted." It could be a great resource when you need someone to listen.

On the back pain side, one suggestion to look into with an open mind is John Sarno's method for solving chronic pain and RSI injuries called "The Mind-Body Prescription". I'm sure you can google the info you need, but just in case here is his book.


I have two friends who are incredibly intelligent, healthy, athletic men who, in their 20's, were healed by his method. One experienced such bad pain from typing that he couldn't hold his wife's hand, hold groceries, anything. He tried everything he could think of and nothing worked for long. The other would be woken from his sleep because of his pain and was planning to leave the company he started for a period of time because the pain was too terrible. They are rational, wonderful, amazing people and this ACTUALLY cured them, within a few days. They wrote about their story on Quora here

Dr. Sarno describes the type of people who most often benefit from his treatment/tend to have these chronic pain issues:
"They tend to be perfectionistic, compulsive, highly conscientious and ambitious; they are driven, self-critical and generally successful. Parallel with these traits, and sometimes more prominent, is the compulsion to please, to be a good person, to be helpful and nonconfrontational. In short, people with TMS have a strong need to seek approval, whether it is love, admiration or respect."
Does this sound like you?

If yes, keep an open mind and explore his work. I do hope with all my heart you are on the road to recovery soon.

I am a big fan of exercise, it can even help with pain from skeletal malformations. But will it help you? Maybe, maybe not. All you can do is try and see if it helps. You need to exercise for your general health so it's not like it was a waste of time if it doesn't help your pain (well, if it makes your pain worse it is).

Yoga can be very easy if you find the right class and teacher. And I would recommend a teacher because a teacher can show you gentler or alternative poses and correct your alignment so you don't hurt yourself. Especially if you have back issues the teacher will tell what NOT to do. Yoga should not hurt, ever. If it does you're working it too hard. Look for gentle hatha yoga classes, either beginner's yoga or even senior yoga. Go to a class once or twice a week, or get private lessons, and then practice at home daily. You don't have to practice an hour either. 15-20 minutes is good. It does take a long time to see results, like months. It's a gradual process but it does really help. It will increase both your abdominal core strength and the strength of your back muscles, as well as stretch things out and limber them up. /r/yoga can answer your yoga questions.

Yoga classes typically include a relaxation session, also very helpful for relaxing muscles.

In addition to yoga, or instead of, you can do gentle back exercises. I cured my sciatica with this book. These exercises are gentle enough to do daily.

Pilates can help with core strength but that might be too much to start with.

When you get stronger you may want to look into DDP yoga which combines yoga with strength. You can find videos on youtube that explain it. https://ddpyoga.com/

Have they recommended physical therapy? Sometimes it's a question of getting things stretched out and breaking up scar tissue. This was the issue I had with my neck. Old injury plus arthritis lead to max pain. PT was not easy but it helped a lot.

The neat thing about knowing you have EDS as a young person is that you have the knowledge and opportunity to start protecting and taking extra good care of your body now. Preventing injuries and protecting your joints may go a long way towards preventing pain later.

Do you have a doctor to offer you any guidance? In either case, you might check out The Joint Hypermobility Handbook, a handy guide by one of the big EDS experts that covers basically everything you need to know, in a format that works for both doctors and patients. As someone else mentioned, /r/ehlersdanlos is a great resource, as is Ehlers Danlos Athletes on FB. Outside of those groups, reading about EDS online can get scary fast, so do know that there are plenty of people living well with EDS - they're just not the ones who tend to dominate the forums.

The best advice I've gotten for managing my EDS-III is to stay in shape. And don't wait to see someone about problem joints! Deconditioning can happen pretty quickly, so finding ways to exercise despite any random injury has been super important. A sprained knee can make it hard to exercise, but not exercising quickly leads to other injuries as I get weaker, and then things get scary fast and it is long, hard fight to get back to "normal." The real key for me has been finding a form of exercise that I enjoy, and then finding a PT that will help me with remedial exercises, adaptations, taping, bracing, etc. to better support my body in those activities. If you don't have pain, PT may not be necessary, but you might also consider going in for an evaluation to alleviate your concerns and get ahead of any particularly unstable or cranky joints; they could also help you set up an exercise plan if you don't already have one.

My PT is also big on "joint protection," which seems to be a think that pops up on a lot of arthritis sites, but it also seems like solid advice for any body. Try Googling it or here's a short guide that seems to sum it up pretty well.

tl;dr: stay strong, enjoy life, and hopefully you'll continue to feel pretty OK. :)

Look for a lumbar support pillow. You're gonna look weird carrying it around but it supports your lower back and it will help with the pain from sitting in the chairs in classrooms. I use it everywhere, car, classes, library etc.

I use this one personally: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IJNJAZ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0BMJzb92CBH25

Try Tiger Balm. It's another cream similar to icy hot but works better for me.

I have a tens unit from Amazon that works pretty well for a battery powered one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NCRE4GO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_NEMJzb3SXNPQ5

Also an electric heating pad and reusable ice pack or if your dorm has an ice maker like mine a reusable bag for ice depending on what works better for your back.

Get a good backpack. Something with a sternum strap and a hip strap if possible so that the weight is more evenly distributed. Also, I never carry anything other than exactly what I need for class to keep the weight down and try to buy as many textbooks as possible on Kindle so that there's less weight there as well.

A good mattress pad if you're in the dorm so that you can supplement the mattress with one that's better for your back. They can get expensive (Mine was about $100) but it's an investment in your health.

A good pair of inserts in your shoes from Roadrunner, an orthopedic doctor, or a similar store where they mold to your feet has truly helped my pain a lot. I stick them in the pair I'm wearing for the day and I'm good to go.

I have facial pain but use the Accurelief unit. Was about 50 at Walgreens or Rite Aid I forget which. Replacement pad set is 15 I think. I like it because it has two separate channels, each of which can use different power settings/patterns. The cables to the pads are nice and long. Goes up to 25 but I use 3 for my face. Having lower intensity settings may be good in sensitive places like the foot. Found battery life to be pretty good. It uses 3 AAA batteries. Good luck! Hope it helps! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KPLDX3U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_6LIKBbW7XFRBG

Ugh, I am so sorry you are at this point. I am not going through it right now but that is only because I figured out a way through it. The pain and exhaustion and anxiety are always there for me, but I can manage my life with them in it now, if that makes sense. Rick bottom is a miserable and lonely place and the sooner you can get out of there, the better. May I recommend a book that really helped me? It just gave me a sort of silent but useful guide through the misery. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1593859821?pc_redir=1404067965&robot_redir=1
Best of luck-- take good care of yourself and revel in the good moments. This is a brutal experience but it gives you a push towards rewriting your life into something that works for you, and that really can be a positive experience. I had a cool life before and did much more, but in some ways I am happier now. And I am for sure more stable.
I really hope you feel better soon.

Great series of books. You do not need to read them in order; I read book 4 first, and it spoils nothing.

Supposedly, Amazon Prime wants to do a miniseries of this, or at least the first book, to the level of quality of Game of Thrones. I'll... believe it when I see it.

Anyway here are Amazon/Audible links! (Or hit up your local library, etc.)

1. Consider Phlebas paperback / Audible
   
   
2. The Player of Games paperback / Audible
   
   
3. Use of Weapons paperback / Audible
   
   
4. The State of the Art (collection of short stories) paperback / Audible
   
   
5. Excession (I read this one first, it's great) paperback / Audible
   
   
6. Inversions (sort-of a Culture book) paperback / Audible
   
   
7. Look to Windward paperback / Audible
   
   
8. Matter paperback / Audible
   
   
9. Surface Detail paperback / Audible
   
   
10. The Hydrogen Sonata (my favorite - Vyr Cossont is my hero) paperback / Audible
    
    I really like this stuff as space opera type stuff. It's usually not "hard" sci-fi like Asimov or even Philip K. Dick or anything, but I rather hope humanity heads in the direction of the Federation, and then ultimately to The Culture.
    
    Fun fact!! Elon Musk named the autonomous drone barge ships (the ones that SpaceX rockets land on) after some Culture ships. Namely the Of Course I Still Love You, and the Just Read The Instructions. I also rather like the full name of the ship Mistake Not… (Don't Google it! It's a spoiler!!!)

Hi!

I used to get massages by a PT as well, and the type of massage that worked best for my pain was a deep tissue trigger point massage, which I believe is similar to the massage you've said is effective for you. As you mentioned, that easily becomes expensive, but my neurologist turned me on to a much cheaper solution. I do home massage therapy on myself using a Theracane and workbook and get the same benefits I was getting from having the massage done to me by a PT. I'm posting this from mobile so pls message me if links don't work. This way I can also get exactly the relief I want where I want it and most importantly when I want it.

Sunbeam makes one for neck, shoulders and upper back. It isn't cheap, bt it is the best I've ever owned ad I have gifted some to family and they love them to. The link posted is Amazon, however many large drug stores sell them as well. Note the way it is made. The collar has a strong magnetc clasp if you want to use itthat way.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-Renue-Heat-Therapy-Wrap/dp/B00LX5CR0M/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1483646253&sr=8-1&keywords=Sunbeam%2BRenue%2BHeating%2BPad%2BX-Large&th=1

It sounds to me like you have a lot to deal with, which sucks, but a bunch of things you can work on, which means you can probably improve a lot of things about your situation.

Therapy was very helpful to me at a few critical points, but finding the right person and cultivating a helpful relationship was time-consuming and difficult.

I see my chronic problems as a daily challenge, so I live on a daily schedule. Good diet, meditation, lots of stretching, and lots of audio therapy for my tinnitus (which is a bigger problem for me than pain; thankfully my pain issues are not debilitating, the tinnitus can be -- though when it's severe it's like a piercing fire alarm and is physically painful).

Abusing narcotics recreationally can be "fine", but that's a big red flag in general about someone's lifestyle. Stealing drugs from someone you're supposed to love and respect is also a huge red flag. How old are you? This is sort of high-school drama stuff all around.

If you're open to actually making deep structural changes to your life, then pretty much any crappy self-help book will be fine (though I would say start here, personally: https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932... if you can't afford this but promise to actually put in the time to read it, I will mail you a copy, PM me).

Any kind of "self help" program is simple but very difficult. You've got to be ready to dig deep, challenge your assumptions about who you are, and try to change what's changeable and live with the rest. It's a tall order. It's much easier to have good intentions than follow-through and end up with a wall full of self-help books (hence my willingness to mail you one)

Doctors don't specialize or receive much education on muscle disorders, don't be surprised if he's not familiar with the disorder or the modern treatment protocol.

If you do have MPD: it is good news, it is treatable, sometimes partially and sometimes completely.

https://www.painscience.com/tutorials/trigger-points.php

Here's an intro, this site is great, the guy does good science. I haven't bought this ebook yet though.

https://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1608824942

here's the book that will help you recover.

Thank you for the good wishes. As for your situation - I suggest you try reading this book https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Back-Pain-Mind-Body-Connection/dp/0446557684 . It has helped me only somewhat since I have quite some degree of degeneration in certain areas of the spine, so not sure any amount of psychotherapy would help there, but he does have really good points and I have managed to resolve some of my flare ups with this approach.

Basically he is suggesting something such as - that a lot of body pain comes from ignoring emotions and pushing yourself way over the limit and tends to create these types of issues. Usually tends to happen to highly perfectionist type A people who tend to have tons of internal pressure. There are some stories of people he has helped with this approach.


From what you are saying it seems you are really under a lot of pressure, you should find a way to chill out more. Also weed is good for this.

I have neck problems and need a pillow of a specific thickness or I wake up with really bad pain. The following adjustable pillow is what I recently purchased that is working great. Took a few days to get the stuffing right but it has been great. I just save the stuffing in the bag it comes packed in.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WDN6YQX

I've had this one since February and i love it. I mainly use it for work and it keeps my posture straight and really helps me.

I've got the Roscoe Medical TENS 7000, and I love it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NCRE4GO/

However, if/when it dies (it'll last me years), I have the Famidoc TENS and EMS Combo Unit on my Amazon Wish List.

What kinds of procedures have they done?

Oh wow, I didn't know that I'm sorry- you still have a lot of work to do. My hips hurt for a very long time from surgery but I couldn't tell the difference if they felt better or worse. Unfortunately over time they got much much much worse. 6 months is normally the time you should know though so you've got plenty of time with that.

I've gotten 4 surgeries total so yes I can relate to you, friend.

Yeah I totally know what you mean, you didn't lash out :) . Even though you look at me like I could workout, I can't do it for longer than 5 minutes. And yeah the RIC program will tell you don't worry you'll work your way up!! But, it just doesn't work long-term as a solution. At least for me. You'll learn a lot of tools there, but they use a book called Managing Pain Before it Manages You. It is the core of their program and it's all in this book. Take a look at it before you decide anything.

RIC doctors are some of the top docs in the midwest area, if not country. Seriously.

You can get an adjustable cane like this, I would also suggest getting one of these with it.
You could look into your local YMCA for a pool or gym.
If he has insurance he may be able to get doctor ordered physical therapy.
My father (who also has back issues) used to put a sheet of plywood in between his mattress and box springs to give him more support. ymmv.

I have a variation on this one https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005NZ66KU/ref=mp_s_a_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1550425367&sr=8-4&keywords=sunbeam+heating+six&dpPl=1&dpID=419ZOMrYRML&ref=plSrch and I really love it.

Get something like this, you will thank me later.

[This] (https://www.amazon.com/Carex-Soft-Grip-Cane-Black/dp/B001AFCWYQ/ref=sr_1_13_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1497673800&sr=1-13&keywords=cane&th=1) is the cane I use.

The first one I read was recommended by one of my old physical therapists. You can find it here:

https://www.amazon.com/Brains-Way-Healing-Discoveries-Neuroplasticity/dp/014312837X/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AZB55NFKREYDC1KQXW79

From there, I did some research, and found that one of the authors from the above book also has a workbook. If I had to chose between one or the other, I would have only purchased the workbook. You can find the workbook here:

https://www.amazon.com/Neuroplastic-Transformation-Workbook-Michael-Moskowitz/dp/0615814654/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510251175&sr=8-1&keywords=your+brain+on+pain

It seriously changed my life. It looks like the price has gone up a significant amount since I purchased it a year or so ago. Maybe you can find it for cheaper? I think it was around $45 when I bought it which seemed like a lot... until I thought of the thousands of dollars I had paid for all my medical crap.

It's about mindfulness. But I found the one I went to was facilitated really well and gave space to people to talk. So I found it very supportive. I learned a lot and learned a lot from the participants. The orginator has also written a book which was used each class. https://www.amazon.ca/Mindfulness-Solution-Pain-Step-Step/dp/1572245816

I second the sunbeam. I got one recently when I herniated a disc and it was a good move.

Edit: I actually have this one: Sunbeam Xpressheat Heating Pad, Extra Large,Burgundy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JA9D914/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_veTMeqlLyBV5u

I recommend this: http://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Meditation-Pain-Relief-Reclaiming/dp/1591797403/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409327503&sr=1-1&keywords=jon+kabat+zinn+chronic+pain

Or, guided meditations generally.

You should ask your PT too! How is your form/posture when bending down to pick up stuff?

Also I like this one for low back only: BraceUP Stabilizing Lumbar Lower Back Brace and Support Belt with Dual Adjustable Straps and Breathable Mesh Panels (L/XL) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZN0HZ78/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_YQulyb5RQCW6H

I have the TENS 7000. It's an electrical stimulation device that feels like a massage. It can help block the nerve signals that transmit the feeling of pain, or at least distract you. I quite enjoy it.

There is a book, "How to be Sick" by Toni Bernhard that was helpful, comforting and a little validating: https://www.amazon.com/How-Sick-Buddhist-Inspired-Chronically-Caregivers/dp/0861716264/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VG4Y5N47MX9QJZ7AYHM3

She has another called "How to Live Well".

The first helped me while I was in a dark place about being ill.

> TENS unit

One of these: https://www.amazon.com/Tens-Unit-Machine-Management-Rehabilitation/dp/B00NCRE4GO

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0861716264?pc_redir=1409138329&robot_redir=1

that book might be right up your alley

I have this one, love it: https://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-6-Setting-King-Size-Microplush-XpressHeat/dp/B005NZ66KU/ref=sr_1_8_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1511563383&sr=1-8&keywords=Heating%2Bpad&th=1

That's bullshit that they won't cover Lyrica.

Generally, though, they won't cover it as a "first line" medication, but they will if the first line doesn't work, ie the gabapentin. Lyrica also has a good anti-anxiety component, so theoretically you could switch completely and have both the fibromyalgia and anxiety treated under one Lyrica prescription. Maybe ask your fibro doctor to submit a request for the Lyrica since the gabapentin isn't touching your pain levels.

I'm glad cannabis is working for you and your office will start offering cards. That's great.

Do you have roaming pain or global pain? If roaming spot pain, you could try getting a TENS unit to get you through. They're affordable on Amazon now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NCRE4GO

I recommend this https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932/ref=pd_sim_14_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9KTENFMF9S8WWJ4MY9N3. It changed my life and taught me that my pain will not define me. I hope it can help you come to terms with your pain.

Did the ophthalmologist discuss with you the criteria for diagnosing joint hypermobility syndrome or EDS-III? Extreme myopia is actually associated with it. It sounds like people have tossed around hypermobility as possibly being related but nobody is really looking at it seriously. Is that the gist of it?

I would start reading everything you can about JHS and start implementing self-care measures, since you know you have this issue. From your past post, I think you could probably be diagnosed with it if you saw someone who was familiar with hypermobility as a pain disorder. Treating yourself as if you have it should not make things worse if the problem is actually rheumatoid arthritis.

Some resources I have found helpful:

[The Pocinki Paper] (http://www.dynakids.org/Documents/hypermobility.pdf)

The Hypermobility Handbook

These are the only two resources I can really suggest because there is so much conflicting information out there on JHS, I only feel comfortable linking to stuff written by actual physicians. But there are a lot of blogs and so forth that have stretches and pain relief techniques you can try.

"Oh my gawd I would just curl up in a ball and DIE if I hurt all the time like you!! Anyway, let me tell you about this hike I went on..."

"You can't drink with your medication? Oh it's ok, just have a few, I'd totally be an alcoholic by now HAHH"

"Oh my goodness you poor thing, have you tried [insert naturopathic/homeopathic/other BS here]?"

"You can't really be hurting all the time, have you read this book to get rid of back pain?" (I do not have back pain..)

"Aw you're so boring, you never hang out with us and I miss youuuu"

"It's ok, you'll get better soon, I'm praying for you every day!"

...and many more reasons on why I dread in-person social interaction.

Then get into a pain counselor...

There's also a book that may help if you're into that... Full Catastrophic Living: https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Full+Catastrophic+Living&qid=1562283091&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Neuroplasticity: neurons that wire together fire together.
Neurons that continually alert your brain to pain alter the mapping of your brain and more areas become wired for pain.
This unwires other brain functions.. memory, concentration, everything.
This is why it is hard to concentrate when you are in pain and the 'mental fog' therein.

There are some good books on the matter..
The Brain that Changes Itself by Doige
If you do not understand the science or anatomy/physiology of brain stuff, Dr Doidge does a great job explaining everything.

I am reading this one by Dr Doidge as well..

I originally got one through PT and insurance but I still had a sizable copay. The battery life wasn't great and I lost the charger and found it was stupidly expensive. I ended up getting this.

AccuRelief Dual Channel TENS Electrotherapy Pain Relief System, Includes Batteries and Instruction Manual with Electrode Placement Guide https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KPLDX3U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_zxkHAbBS55F7T

It uses AA batteries and seems to go forever between changes. It was cheap and the replacement pads are cheap too.

Have you ever read Dr. John Sarno's book Healing Back Pain? Check it out. The reviews are crazy. Howard Stern is a massive fan, this book healed his back pain. http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Back-Pain-Mind-Body-Connection/dp/0446557684/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409669644&sr=8-1&keywords=healing+back+pain

The wait lists are always beasts! The appointment will sneak up before you know it though.

In the meantime, if you don't have one, get yourself a [tens unit](Tens Unit - Tens Machine for Pain Management, Back Pain and Rehabilitation. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NCRE4GO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ZkpKybEJQN4VP), [salonpas patches](Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch - 140 Patches https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FOB5BOK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ImpKybHNNGYZ2) and/or [tiger balm ](Tiger Balm Pain Relieving Ointment Ultra Strength Non-staining, 1.7 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00014X0MK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_QnpKybPEHE1V7), the cream type, for places the salonpas are annoying to wear.

Read up on each before use. The tens unit, especially, was invaluable for me. If money is an issue, pm me and I'll see what I can do.

Yes, I have experienced this as well. One of the techniques used (https://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Meditation-Pain-Relief-Kabat-Zinn/dp/1591797403) tells you to focus on your pain and isolate it. This also had the side effect of bringing your pain into focus. If you have been distracted enough to keep the pain out of your mind, the mindfulness brings it right back into focus!


Here are reviews of the research for using this with Chronic Pain
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5368208/
http://bjgp.org/content/65/635/e387?utm_source=TrendMD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Br_J_Gen_Pract_TrendMD_1
Results:

> We found low-quality evidence that mindfulness meditation is associated with a small decrease in pain compared with all types of controls in 30 RCTs.

and

> Conclusion There is limited evidence for effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for patients with chronic pain.


AKA - its "slightly" better than a placebo

There is also some interesting work recently questioning the long-term effectiveness of CBT and other techniques: https://behavior.net/2015/08/is-the-effectiveness-of-cbt-fading/

Here are some:
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2013/using-mindfulness-to-approach-chronic-pain/
http://www.bemindful.org/kabatzinnart.htm
http://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Solution-Pain-Step-Step/dp/1572245816
http://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Meditation-Pain-Relief-Reclaiming/dp/1591797403

My only reservation with this technique is that part of me doesn't want to accept that I just have to accept the pain for now, as I still want to find a 'cure'. With my particular problem (degenerative disc disease) there are 2 components: mechanical pain and central sensitisation. The mechanical pain comes from my bones and muscles and tendons not working properly and getting tight/weak/obnoxious. The central sensitisation (where the brain changes in response to long term pain, making the pain more severe, spreading the area of pain and causing pain to normal touch and non painful stimuli) is the part that I feel can respond to things like mindfulness. At the same time I can continue to have physiotherapy and do pilates, etc to work out the issues with the mechanical component.
tl;dr: just because you're still looking/hoping/working for a cure or effective treatment doesn't mean you can't 'wind down' the emotional aspects of pain and try to calm your brain down so you can study!