Hello @tracylockhart

Let me add my welcome to John's post above. Pain is difficult - whether it be emotional or physical or a combination of both. I would encourage you, as John did, to share with us what has helped you in the past.

As you are comfortable doing so, please share with us a bit of the history of your anxiety. Has it been since a traumatic event, such as a loss by death? For how long have you had this anxiety - months or years? As I said, share as you are comfortable doing so. We all learn from each other.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

@tracylockhart, I would like to add my welcome to Teresa and John's. In addition to their welcomes, I would like to offer a few discussions and groups you may find worth your time to check out, read through, and participate in if you feel comfortable:

- Anxiety, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anxiety-2/
- Mental health group, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/mental-health/

I also deal with chronic pain daily. It has been especially bad the past few days and today I am barely mobile. It can be tough on a person, but I do believe you have found the right group, we have many dedicated members who participate and provide insight and a listening ear to those that are willing to share.

Hi @tracylockhart I have the same mental health issues and more. It seems that depression and other things have a high probability of involvement with pain. One seems to make the other worse. I started working with my current therapist for a year, and my pain specialist has referred me to a pain counselor, whom I will see tomorrow for the first time.

Chronic pain can wear a person down physically and mentally. Your therapist might offer some suggestions for dealing with the pain you're feeling.

Jim

@jimhd Ain't it the truth? This mountain I (and others) are climbing seems insurmountable. Maybe it is. So much for my being an encouragement for now. Now there are pain counselors too??? Be curious to hear how this goes. Seriously interested. wishing good things for you.

@jimhd Hello Jim and others on this Pain Discussion forum

Yes, pain psychologists are a breed of counselors to help people deal with pain which tends to be multi-dimensional. It affects all areas of our life including movement, relationships (even the relationship with yourself as we become more negative with chronic pain) and mental health. Here is a link to an article from Psychology Today regarding pain psychology, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/less-pain-fewer-pills/201407/what-is-pain-psychologist

Jim, I'm looking forward to hearing about your appointment with the pain psychologist.

Teresa

Justin,
I belong to chronic pain and bone and joint groups which have been very helpful. In February, I fell and torn an already damaged rotator cuff. Is there a Mayo Clinic support group for that? Leslie324

Hello @leslie324, thank you for reaching out to me directly. Here are the two most recent discussions that have members talking about rotator cuff injuries and treatments:

- Shoulder tendinitis and rotator cuff pain, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/shoulder-tendenitis-rotator-cuff-pain/
- Stem cell therapy for rotator cuff tears, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stem-cell-therapy-for-rotator-cuff-tears/

Good luck Jim. Hope it goes well

I went to my appointment yesterday for my first session with the pain counselor, but she wasn't there. After waiting for 30 minutes, I got hold of her and she said she was sick. She had left a message on my phone at 7:30a.m. Trouble is, I was asleep and didn't hear the phone, then I accidentally left my phone at home when we went to town (an hour away), did some shopping and went to her office. So, I have an appointment in two weeks.

Jim

@parus

Turns out that the counselor was sick, so I have my first session in two weeks.

Jim