Dear LPG,

However you look at it pain gets worse as we get older.  New illnesses cause new pain and when it becomes chronic it can take over your whole life if you are not careful.

Lots of information has been written on the subject but so much of that information appears to be offered by people who have studied the condition rather than those who have some experience of living through it.  I am no expert; I am just an 85 year-old sufferer whose back is really getting to me, and while I know that in comparison with many, my pain could be seen as relatively moderate, I also know that pain has different effects on different people and some can cope better than others.  But I have come to the conclusion that I can either let it take over the rest of my life or I can live my life in spite of it.  I am not saying that it is easy but I have found the secret to be finding lots of new focus and things to do with my days.  I have decided to bury myself in writing and knitting, keeping in touch with my friends, and getting involved with mild exercise which helps a lot too; although I have had to slow the pace. 

I think that things are always worse in the mornings, not only because of the physical effect that lying in one place affords but also because when you are lying in the dark, unless you are visualising the result of all the tasks you are focussing on all night, there is nothing to do but focus on the pain itself.  As a result I often have to really work at getting started in the mornings but I feel better for making the effort however long the process takes. The secret is having too much to do which is better than not having enough to keep you busy.

I am sure that this is just one small part of the solution but I hope that my advice helps a little, and I would value any other suggestions.   

CP, Blyth HIll