A new view is using Mindfulness to help with managing pain. Mindfulness for dummies is easy to read as well as dip into.

It is not a farce. I, too, was doubtful after being in therapy for many years. It is indeed helpful. I first heard of it through therapists. And then I heard of it again through a Pain Group. I'm assuming you mean Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), by the way. It's a way of reframing our thoughts, particularly our negative thoughts, or thoughts that make us feel badly. It takes a lot of practice to get to where it becomes more second nature, but it DOES work. For whatever it's worth, the book (softcover), "Mind Over Mood - Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think" has all the worksheets in it, and simple explanations. But it's not the same as taking a course in it with other people, and getting real life examples, while someone is explaining how to apply CBT to each scenario. This book is written by Dennis Greenberger, PhD, and Christine A. Padesky, PhD. I guess the name says it all. :)
It's an older book, I'm sure you can find it on Amazon, if you're interested.
Good luck to you, Cindy. Let me know if I can answer any questions for you.

The reading material was sent from the organisation time to talk. It's part of the NHS in the UK so you wouldn't have access. I have read the book 'What doctors may not tell you about fibromyalgia" which you can find on amazon and I bought "Health minder- personal wellness journal. It's basically a diary to track your pain and other symptoms. It's handy to take with you to your various appointments because it's hard to remember the good days and bad days when a Dr asks you and you have fibro fog. My sister sees things in black and white and found it hard to understand the levels of pain I'm in as she soon realised asking if it was a good day or bad day wasn't going to work. We sat down and compared her pain levels to mine. We realised they are very different so tried to think of system that worked. It sounds silly but it came to this. Feeling like I've bit hit by a person, being hit by a bike, a car, a truck and and a train. It was easier for us to quickly communicate the state I'm in each day. They know to leave me alone on a train day. I'd suggest doing the same and finding your own way in measuring pain. I hope this helps. Sorry it's so long, I'm a talker.

Thank you all for your insight. I am so happy I decided to join this group. So many understanding people here, I almost feel as if I'm at a reunion!
I try meditation sometimes, which does seem to help. I have my first appointment in mid-January for CBT. Now that I know it works, I will give it an honest try. I was furious when I was first referred to this guy by my pain management doctor, because the purpose of that appointment was to see what my potential for addiction is. I felt SO insulted!!! I've been on Gabapentin and Morphine since 2001, and her way of managing me is to get me off morphine all together. I get extremely anxious before I see her (pain management), because I know shes going to reduce meds more, and only increase gabapentin. Is anyone else going through the anxiety before a doctors appointment?
I could hug every one of you for your understanding and help!!!

I've been recommended it too. I'm still waiting for the appointment but the calls I've had from them have been very useful so far. It helps more with worry, anxiety and some of the frustrations from having fibro. I found it beneficial to talk about the emotional effects this condition has rather than just the physical pain. I have also been given some reading material which helped me find a better way to talk about fibromyalgia with friends and family that didn't leave me feeling guilty and like a burden. I hope it helps you. I've found talking to them relives pressure from my family as I can be completely honest about how bad it is without them worrying.