I love that someone, besides myself, compared the pain to back labor. I can, without hesitation, say that MP pain is the worst pain I've ever had. And pain and I are very close, old friends. At it's worst, which thank God doesn't last long although it is frequent, it hits an easy 10 on the pain scale. I resent having to take medicine, but have accepted it's necessity. I really resent asking for pain meds, especially because only the strongest of narcotics seems to work on the pain from MP. Thankfully, doctors are quite understanding and sympathetic to this, though pharmacists eye me suspiciously with judgemental expressions on their faces (it doesn't help that I'm covered in tattoos, albeit harmless ones of Harry Potter and Star Wars). I believe docs are so accommodating because managing pain is truly all most can do for us. Getting that aspect of MP handled is vital so you can focus on getting the help you need. I've just learned my 2nd GI's referral to Mayo is useless as they don't accept my insurance, and my millions are tied up in the Florida swamp land real estate market. 😐 Sense of humor doesn't hurt, either. I particularly liked Robin's reference to her MP anniversary and reward.