Hi @annief

Great post and very encouraging. I've read a good majority of this post and no one has ever mentioned Mental Health. I have been suffering 10 years with the first 3 years barely leaving my home. I will be upfront and say after 5 years of horrendous pain my mental state was very poor. Even with wonderful family and friends it stripped me bare. Not being able to work was the worst for me, missing family weddings and other celebrations just added to the depressive state. It was the fact that I couldn't travel especially in a car which grounded me. People never saw me as depressed because my character is totally different; I can honestly say I was on the edge. I am a natural problem solver and could see where I was heading so endeavored to solve the problem, so I started writing. I've written 3 novels so far and not looked back since. I'm not published in any way, but the research, planning and writing keeps my mind busy and my closest friend loves them. I actually love writing when I am not suffering from brain fog. Back then I was afraid to talk about my mental health with anyone, but it is something that needs to be open. Posting on here has helped tremendously, It was suggested I sign up with MALs PALs on Facebook which I have. But in all honesty I'm probably one of the very few people who doesn't use Facebook, it's a privacy issue! For all those who are suffering in silence, don't be afraid to get involved on either website. I can categorically say they are a good bunch here on the Mayo website.

Thank you all.