Terry Bremner is a 47-year-old chronic pain sufferer and is married with two teenage boys.

I recall at the age of nine my first doctor appointment with pain in my groin area. There was a stoppage of blood to the femur head, which prevented development. I was told to stay off the legs by using a wheelchair and crutches. I was fitted with a device made of straps and belts that pulled my leg behind me, it was strapped around my shoulder and waist - this was all with no success. The next step was a new procedure that an orthopedic surgeon from Toronto had success with. They were to reshape the femur head so that it would move properly in the socket. The operation day came and I was so excited to think that all my pain will be gone – it never was.

At the age of 26 the pain was still unbearable, so I went back to the doctor who first operated 17 years prior - still no resolution.  At the age of 31, pain totally controlled the way I lived my life and finally a total hip replacement was done with great success, I had no pain. Now I could live a full life with my young family.

Five years passed and so did the memory of using the cane. Wrong place wrong time, middle of an intersection when another driver ran a red light and hit me head on. There was nothing broken and after a cat scan and X-rays I was free to go.

Soon after pain developed that was more wide spread then a whiplash injury and eventually, nerve damage and a closed head injury where all diagnosed along with depression. Make matters worse a condition called fibromyosis had taken over my body.

On the outside all looked good, but under the surface there were stabbing, burning, and piercing pain with muscle spasms in at least two areas most of the time. How do you explain to others why you aren’t working or doing chores around the home? "You look great!" was a usual response. What do you say? Usually I tried to hide to avoid the question. The pain and symptoms that I live with on a daily basis also affects the family and friends who care about your well being.

I joined a pain support group because I was directed by my doctor to attend. Over time my involvement in the group led to an understanding of my condition, so that I can share the experience with close family and friends. In this way, they can understand the hurdles and pain that sufferers live with daily. I now spend a lot of time crossing Canada sharing my story and experiences and creating new pain support groups similar to the one that I facilitate in Halifax.

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