I think there's a difference between hiding pain from those around us, and responding and expecting others to respond to our pain, with respect to when to hide it and when not to. Boy, that didn't type out like I was thinking it

Constantly hiding all our pain really doesn't result in the responses we need and or want imo. True if we do nothing but mope and moan all day, that won't help anyone either, but to try and hide all of it fails to allow others to be part of our world, and in essence we are cut off from their world in a way.

Also when we hide our pain from others, they forget. We also then begin to build up frustration and anger towards others who don't understand. I think when it comes to others, out of sight, out of mind. They don't want to see us in pain, and if we completely hide it, they prefer to think we're just fine and act accordingly. It makes us upset (if we let it) that they begin to think we are fine and can do everything just like them etc etc.

Leslie, I wonder if it's really "over medicating" just to sleep, but perhaps medicating properly, even though it takes a bit more to help you sleep? Adjusting medication for activities and events is a good thing, imo. Not having to take the highest dose all the time is fine, imo. Good sleep (or the best we can get) is important to proper pain management.

TC!