F**k!! Am I heading for another pain episode?

Living with pain, and the fear of pain, is very psychologically demanding. Whether pain is occasional, chronic, predictable or ‘out of the blue’, severe or background (or all of these) it can be exhausting, frustrating and demoralising. Managing the physical experience of pain can be hard enough, without the thoughts and feelings it can also stir up. Alan Motyer-Lowndes, who lives with a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, talks to Rareminds’ CCO and Founder, Kym Winter, about about how pain is both a physical and an emotional experience, and the idea that ‘accepting’ (rather than fighting) pain can - weirdly - help it become more bearable. Neuroendocrine cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the neuroendocrine cells, which are found throughout the body. These cells release hormones that can regulate many body functions, and when they become cancerous, they can grow in almost any organ. Neuroendocrine cancers are often slow-growing, but can also be aggressive and hard to diagnose due to their symptoms often mimicking other conditions. Neuroendocrine Cancer UK provides information on the various forms of neuroendocrine cancer, offers practical support for patients and families, and advocates for improved treatments and care pathways. They also collaborate with research institutions, healthcare providers, and other cancer charities to make sure neuroendocrine cancer gets the attention it deserves. https://www.neuroendocrinecancer.org.uk/ You can find more information and resources about managing pain on the Rareminds Wellbeing Hub: www.rareminds.org/wellbeing-hub If you need urgent support for your mental health you can find a list of who to contact here: https://www.rareminds.org/wellbeing-h... Series 3 of our podcast focuses on the complex relationship between our mind and body, how to begin or undertake the tricky task of working out ‘what’s to do with what’ - and how to live as well as possible in the face of a lot of complexity and uncertainty. We are grateful to Amicus Therapeutics and Blueprint Medicine for their support in making this series possible. Our sponsors and supporters do not have any editorial control over our content. Rareminds is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity number 1205120. Our mission is to provide affordable, timely access to highly specialised counselling for the rare condition community, and campaign for recognition of the importance of specialist mental health support by informing policy, practice and promoting standards of excellence. www.rareminds.org