bandaidknees

Not dumb at all! I totally understand it, I wonder this sometimes too.

This is a complicated question to answer so I'll try to keep it short. The easy answer is yes and no.

Yes, because I do have a much higher pain threshold than most people. I am able to function (albeit poorly) while dealing with pain that would leave most people screaming. The pain that I deal with on a regular basis is documented to be worse than amputation and childbirth. I'm sure you've seen a childbirth scene in a movie at some point, or maybe even experienced it yourself, but either way you're probably familiar with the woman screaming and crying. The level of pain that's causing her to scream and cry is what I experience every day.

I also answer no to this question because the pain is constantly getting worse, and even when it isn't it doesn't get better either. So I never feel "less pain", I just develop better coping mechanisms and a stronger pain tolerance.

All day every day, my dude.

That's very poetic, I like it. Makes me feel like an X-Men character or something.

Anything can trigger the pain. Physical things like temperature and movement are obvious, but even little things like the weather or emotions can trigger huge flare ups. Sometimes my pain will increase with no noticeable trigger at all.

I have moments of mental peace, but never physical peace. The pain never goes away. It can lessen slightly if I'm very lucky, but even then it's still incredibly debilitating. I strive for mental wellness instead of physical wellness because it's more attainable.

CRPS is a really strange disease for that reason, it can start with little to no cause. Most of the cases are caused by accidents or botched surgeries but some of them, like mine are mysteries. Mine started for absolutely no reason. We didn't know when it first started, we didn't know 5 years later when I was diagnosed, and 8 years later we still have no clue.

My pain started in my knees but over the course of 8 years has spread to my entire body. There isn't a single spot where I do not feel pain.

I have tried Ketamine treatment a couple times now but unfortunately with no results. Thank you for the suggestion though!