But what if you don't have the circle of support I have? Good question that. I remember telling my GP I didn't think any of the meds prescribed and tried over a long time had any lasting effect. She gave me a referral to the Permanent Pain Program based at Varsity Lakes. A good decision. I was struggling with trialing different meds prescribed with the best of intentions. Most had limited benefit. Frankly, it became depressing.

The Permanent Pain Program staff made different suggestions to my GP that I still use today. They also referred me to a Psychologist who has helped a great deal. It might sound a bit weird talking with a skilled listener outside the family but that helped me. Nothing wrong with family or friends. But a good Psychologist may well address a condition from a different angle. I thought it risky but it wasn't. Just an option I hadn’t considered.