EJ -
I've suffered from chronic (daily) back pain since Feb '03. I tend to do a lot of research on issues I'm facing. I can tell you both from personal experience and from studies that pain and depression and anxiety are all related.

There are practical reasons for this (i.e.,how do you teach the class?, what about $), there are physiological reasons for it (pain, endorphins, neurotransmitters affect each other; also pain meds affect endorphins and neurotransmitters); and there are realistic emotional reasons (can't do what you want to do because of the pain, feel a loss of control over parts of your life, become isolated to some degree because pain may prevent you from 'normal' activities).

On top of that (like you needed more, right?) pain frequently disrupts sleep. You may not even realize how much. Disrupted sleep fosters depression and makes you more prone to anxiety.

If I read correctly, you have a spouse who is in and out of work, so you are primarily responsible for keeping your life running in terms of money? Been there, done that. First husband was a really nice guy, but steady employment was not his forte. I was continually anxious which peaked into a frenzied anxiety whenever I'd sense he wasn't doing well at work.

I know all this might not help improve your situation much, but I felt like I wanted to let you know you're certainly not alone -

Mary