The Complicated Reality of a Diagnosis

There’s comfort in giving the pain a name, but that doesn’t fix it

In 2019, I developed a number of health issues that put me on a path to discovering that I have a potentially chronic pain disorder. Towards the end of the year, I had several great, pain free weeks that dragged out into nearly a month and a half. It felt like the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.

But then, in spite of my following the rules, taking my medication, doing what my doctor and I had discussed, my pain flared up…