syrinx

There are a couple of interesting books for the "pain challenged" which you can find at the following links (althought the second one is more of a booklet).
Just Fine and But You Look Good are on the topic that I am an unwilling expert on, concealed pain.

I don't do the concealing thing anymore... but for most of my life I did. You have to understand that in the 80's and 90's people were not very aware of pain as a real condition - instead it was something you made up for what ever reason. So those of us with real pain had to hide it anyway we could - so as not be one of the crazy or lazy people. My mother tells me there was a time when you didn't dare tell anyone you had cancer.. it was something to be ashamed of. It's impossible to imagine that now - but that is what life is like for chronic pain people. We are still straddling that dark age.

Pain concealment takes up all your energy. It leaves you exhausted. But I used to do it in relationships and work and school.
Fast forward to 2006 and the world has changed somewhat... I have someone who loves me... my illness is classified as a real disability so discrimination is not allowed... and I am more comfortable about being honest about it. But to see these books - I have to say that brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye as I feel so sad for the others. What does amaze me is that somehow we get stuff done..

Reminds me of Ginger Rogers talking about dancing with Fred Astaire.. she did it backwards and in high heels. That's kinda what it's like to function in daily life when you are in pain. And she always looked so good!

tags: migraine pain ms chronic looking good concealed