Good morning, @toony - I'm Rachel, it's nice to meet you. I'm sorry about your fibro and rashes. I'd like to support you, but am a bit confused. Do you mind clarifying about the online classes you "have" to take? Are they an option and suggestion, or a requirement for a bigger picture of pain management?

I know how awful it is to suffer from symptoms and live with chronic conditions. I live with CSS, quite similar to fibromyalgia. In all honesty, I would have LOVED for one of my doctors, back in the day, to present me with an option of self-help and learn how to manage stress vs. more pill popping and invasive procedures that up ticked symptoms anyway. Pain is pain, I get that, but all of the fuel lines like stress, anxiety, depression, fear, etc..., "fuel the fire" and are toxic in making things worse. So very much goes in to managing chronic symptoms.

As frustrating as it all is, you are not alone, and I'm happy you found Connect. Peer support and encouragement is another important pain-management tool - we're pretty good at it around here. What are your next steps? Are you proceeding forward with the classes? Can I help in any way?