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I have a rare metabolic disorder which frequently causes some extraordinarily harsh abdominal pain and has done so with increasing frequency, intensity, and so on since I was fifteen, which is to say "most of my life." I am avoiding graduating to hydromorphone (Dilaudid) for as long as I can. My scrupulous avoidance of exacerbating factors can cut down on the situation but not eliminate it. Disability seems to grow closer and closer and I am forced to consider somewhat problematic procedures such as a celiac plexus block (temporarily burning out some nerves so the pain cannot reach the brain) as a method to extend my working lifetime.

Hiding in a flow state and such can be a little useful, for a while. I know what kinds of tasks I can best do when I am only at a five at the scale, which has apparently grown somewhat distorted due to becoming inured to such things.

They say suffering builds character, but they were not specific as to which type of character it builds, because it largely seems to have constructed only bad character for me. Part of me believes that many people -- and therefore society as whole -- could be not only more productive, but possibly better human beings overall. Our civilization, I think, would benefit from trying for solutions, treatments, and the like when it comes to chronic pain.