This means resisting the urge to make excuses and always doing the hard work, even when it seems like sheer agony. (entrepreneur.com)
As he hung on the cross, dying slowly from sheer agony, he said, «Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.» (religion-online.org)
I complained to the doctor who just told me to take paracetamol and as my midwife appointments are so sparse I've been left in sheer agony. (health-and-parenting.com)