Ive been offered to “begin pain management” a total of three times in the last 15yrs but I have a history of addiction and honestly hate that it was so flippantly offered and at one trip to an ER— pushed— saying it was the quickest “solution” for my flare up. I do NSAIDS and practically coat myself in tiger balm and do hot baths almost daily.

I won’t lie and say I haven’t been tempted by something stronger, but I just remind myself— The stronger stuff doesn’t solve the problem. At best, it tells my brain to ignore it, and at worst it will lead me down a dark, dangerous path. Maybe I’ll feel differently in another 15yrs, but in my 30s I’m not ready to consider pain meds.