In a message dated 2/25/02 10:26:50 AM, [log in to unmask] writes:

>It's really disheartening when your family/friends say, "it CAN'T be THAT
>bad."  Yet, where is their frame of reference?  Either they take my word
>for
>it, or they don't.  This has been very difficult for me too, as I'm one
>who
>does not like confrontation, and (unfortunately) am easily talked into
>believing the problem is in my "head", not in my spine.
>
My problem is not pain per se, but fatigue. I have lost a lot of strength and
endurance in the past 3 years and it gets worse. No one is very sympathetic,
saying you need more excercise. I try but the ol' OOMPH just isn't there and
I baby myself by saying
"been there ... done that and have the stone bruises to prove it"!

Bobby