I am truly sorry about people leaving the forum rather than having those who are interested in more of a 'chat' forum beginning one. I have been following so much of the chronic pain input and skipping the ones that are not relevant for me, such as those discussing their pets. I understand that for many people pets play an important role, but for others they do not. I too would prefer a separate forum rather than feel bombarded with topics that are not of interest to me, but are to others. I have learned so much from people writing about their experiences with chronic pain, treatments that work, ones that don't, etc. Please don't give up writing in this forum. There is so much to learn from one another, to feel validated, and to feel we are understood by each other.