Absolutely, I've experienced that too. I think it often happens because we're so good at hiding our pain that people don't realize how much we're suffering. Plus, it's hard for anyone to truly understand something they haven't personally experienced.

I've had friends and family question why I'm not working anymore, or why I'm always sleeping or in pain. It wasn't until one of them watched Lady Gaga's documentary, where she talks about her own struggle with chronic pain, that they began to understand. Seeing her attempt to tour, only to be stopped by extreme pain, was a real eye-opener for them.

So, in my experience, it often comes down to a lack of understanding or education about chronic pain.

Yes. Sadly, it is 1 particular family that no matter how much pain I'm in, hers is worse. So when she asks how I am, I just say same Ole same Ole, just a different day. It isn't worth getting into a discussion of pain.

Yes, it's so frustrating! My husband said why don't you ever tell me when you're hurting so I started telling him again. Then I remembered why I'd stopped. He likes to tell me how bad he's hurting and compare our pain. 🙄

yes. I noticed my family when growing up always one upped each other. I don't get it. And usually their pain is minor compared to chronic pain. You know, like a boken nail gave them a hang nail. It is what it is. I try not to go there.

Yes my sister-in-law, I find that it makes me realize.. no matter how much pain I’m in, I have to take a moment ground myself and acknowledge the physical or other pain that she’s in.

At a certain point, I had to find some Way to tell her it’s about me right now. She cried, I laughed, then we laughed when we talked about our shit.