@ab6540183
Hello Alfred,
Thank you, but that nice recommendation for Mozart came from @jm1 . I was about to suggest something like that too. You can reduce your pain if you use peaceful and beautiful mental imagery, soothing music and slow rhythmic breathing in time to the music. This is how music therapy works, and music therapy can also help patients with PTSD. I did this when I was anxious before my spine surgery and I found I could drop my bloop pressure by 15 points. I would listen to the same music, breathe deep and look at pictures and it really helped.

Don't tell yourself that you can't do this. Focus on small victories.

I can tell you the most painful experience for me was not spine surgery, but instead, a diagnostic spine injection that caused so much pain that I was convulsing and could not stop shaking. It was off the charts for all the pain I had ever known, and I was on my way to passing out, but I remembered my routine of peaceful imagery and I imagined an eagle soaring in the sky and flying with it. I did my deep breathing, and also played the music I loved in my head that I was using for these relaxation sessions. It worked, and I was able to regain control and cope with the pain. It probably reduced it a a bit. Stress, fear and anxiety will increase pain a lot, so this is your way to fight back against that, and not become a victim of pain. Instead, you will soar above it as best you can. I learned that I can cope and handle a difficult situation, and that it is temporary, and the pain will get better.

You are welcome to vent and question here as much as you need to do, but if it is causing more pain, do take a break. We will still be here when you need to come back.

I did look at your next surgeon. I would like to know more about the USA training he says he has, but the North American Spine Society is well respected.

Jennifer