[awalton]

You learn strategies for getting through some days, some days nothing works, and some days are pretty much completely normal... and you never get enough normal days.

A good healthcare team really helps, but it's pretty rare to find in America, and even harder to keep hold on when insurers change and coverage is all over the map. Therapy helps some - I don't get much benefit from the group stuff, but one-on-ones, knowing someone actually understands and believes you is a huge boon.

I personally find no reason to not share my experience and I'm honest when I'm having a bad pain day and someone asks me how I'm doing - there's a reality that pain colors moods and decisions, so it's worth others knowing. If you can't trust your coworkers or employer not to discriminate against you for that, then you're probably working in the wrong place.

But, one day at a time is the only way you really can take it.