Thank you for your thoughts Dr!
I've seen my gp, am seeing a spine pain clinic, have acupuncture, see a podiatrist, have had MRI scans and talked with spine surgeons etc etc.. I've had 18 operations following a bike accident and take lots of pills (gabapentine, Codeine, naproxin along with paracetamol etc) every day.
Things are improving slowly and I'm hoping these shorts help!
As for smiling - I meet a young nurse when I got knocked off my bike in '86, we are still married and our kids make me laugh. I've ridden bikes since I was 7, am 64 now and have no money or pension, but lots of tales, lots of memories and a few good friends. And a bike I enjoy riding. What's there to be miserable about....