Coping with pain or with feeling ill

[GoGoPowerScooter]

I'd never really thought about this until the last six months or so, when I've been dealing with fairly constant pain and feeling very unwell (recent diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis, and started on immune suppressants; side effects from meds are almost as bad as the pain from the arthritis). The only way I seem to be able to cope with it is by being completely on my own. It's like the pain is taking all my energy/brain power, and I can't deal with having to interact with anyone as well. When I'm on my own in the house, it's somehow so much easier to manage - single parent, both kids have ASD, and require my attention A LOT, and everything is easier when they're at their dad's Same with my partner of four years - we don't live together, and since getting ill, my preference is to be at home, by myself. I love DC and DP dearly, and I don't know why this is affecting me this way. On a waiting list for ASD assessment, pretty sure I'm autistic. Just wondering if anyone else feels this way? DP is extroverted, and I've upset him by saying I needed to be by myself last night while the kids weren't here, and I don't know how to explain to him that this is just how I deal with feeling so poorly

What you report is perfectly normal and you shouldn't feel bad about needing time out and alone in order to cope with feeling poorly. Your body and mind needs time and space to heal, particularly if you have a chronic condition, pain and are on meds which have side effects.

Those around you need to realise that you're currently unwell and that you're not their personal entertainment system. If you don't rest up it can delay recovery and lead to prolonging the problem.

Don't feel bad about it. How your dp deals with it is his issue.

I am exactly the same. Whenever I'm ill, or in pain I retreat to the bedroom all day to be alone.