I can't say I've been in constant pain for 20 yrs but it feels pretty close to that sometimes. I have been suffering for 17 yrs with not much reprieve. I am still working, but I only get through the work day with much help from meds. My job is low paying and doesn't require much brain power, but it does bring me some satisfaction sometimes. I work in healthcare and I love dealing with people! I miss a lot of work, though, and I live in fear of losing my job eventually because I miss too much work.

I too feel like dying would be a nice relief from the pain, but I would never commit suicide - it's against my religious beliefs and I lost a sister to suicide and know what it does to those you leave behind.

So all of us sufferers keep plugging along and go through life feeling like the "odd man out" much of the time. Does everyone and their dog try to tell you what you're doing wrong each day? That's not the way it is said, but that's kind of how it makes me feel. Not that I don't appreciate any new info - I guess I just drive myself crazy keeping track of what I ate, the weather patterns, my sleep patterns, stress, hormones, allergies, etc, etc, etc.......

I hope you're not having a terrible day today. I started out pretty bad - took some Vistaril and some ibuprofen and now I'm going to see what I can get accomplished while the pain isn't quite as bad.

Thanks for listening - Darlene V

Cuttlefish, I know what it's like. I've had headaches for over 50 years, progressively getting worse from the age of 7 or 8. (I'm 60.) For at least the past 15 years, I have had one constant headache that waxes & wanes but is always there, along with pressure, burning, dizziness, and confusion. Pain has ruled my life, interfered with my job (Attendance! Errors!), destroyed my sex life, and taken just about all the enjoyment out of life. Like you, I wonder what's the point of going on, since there seems to be no escape.

I've had allergy shots, DHE, Imitrex, Neurontin, Depakote, amitriptylline, and a truckload of other meds, none of which works, and I've seen a trainload of doctors. I take magnesium and Coq10, and they don't help. Neurontin may be helping a little.

At my age, I don't have the strength to fight thru it and function anymore. I'm immune to Darvocet. Ultram and ibuprofen help a little. Booze helped for a while, till it got out of control, and I quit 10 years ago. Doctors dole out prescriptions for pain meds like they were plutonium. So what if I get addicted? Who cares? Is it better that I suffer in pain all day, every day of my life?

My latest doc wants me to try the Buchholz anti-migraine diet (Heal Your Headache). The problem is that I already don't eat or drink most of the things on the off-limits list. Has anybody had experience with this diet? I suppose it's worth a try; it can't be any less effective than anything else I've done.

It's true that nobody sees the pain, and it's not considered valid, like a broken leg or cancer. Other people's attitudes just add to our anxiety & depression. (Yup, I've got them too.) Like you, Cuttlefish, I try to maintain a sense of humor, but it's a false front. I have no answers. This is not a life.

Please tell me the post about sneakers was a mistake.