*NOTE*

*just because I wasn't in mind-numbing pain when I was younger does not mean I was not in pain and I would never want anyone reading this to think that I am somehow saying that severe symptoms went unchecked in my childhood. The worst of the pain started sporadically three years ago and got steadily worse to the point this last summer when I was severely sick. Just a quick note to clear up any confusions or misunderstandings*