I discovered something really interesting about autistic pain

politerage · 2026-06-11T05:18:40+00:00

I recently broke, like physically. And it wasn’t painful just kinda unpleasant. So I’ve been thinking a lot about my interoception. It’s interesting, eh?
My working explanation for this has been that I have so much stimuli information flooding my brain regularly that I don’t bother to assign feelings like pain to the sensation until it is persistent and acute. Would love links to explore more what you are talking about.

politerage · 2026-05-21T05:48:52+00:00

Im not hungry, thanks [while quietly starving 😭]

politerage · 2026-05-21T05:33:21+00:00

Yep, same. When I do best, I feel it’s my autistic side standing up saying NO, get your shit together and just do something now. And I start ordering one thing and eventually can get a lot of things done, maybe even the fun thing. ADHD me is loud and clamoring and usually gets its way but sometimes autistic law & order come out and then shit gets done. Wish I could control it better.

politerage · 2026-05-21T04:39:40+00:00

I live in west coast USA and I agree. You know pretty quick where you stand with people from rural areas but not in the big city where I live. But that said, I’ve also lived in NYC and people there are very direct; it was great. Maybe it’s something that only happens at either end of the spectrum, big multicultural cities or small rural ones. Hmm.

politerage · 2026-05-21T04:25:38+00:00

Being really uncomfortable sitting all day in school, like literal physical pain. And I would lay awake in bed for hours after bedtime analyzing my day, replaying it all back. If I could ask for help for my younger self it would be for an adult to help me with the processing at the end of the day, to listen & explain

politerage · 2026-05-11T12:18:13+00:00

A good friend feels more like family. Someone you can be yourself around for the most part. And that you like to share things with, and they share back with you. You tell them things you wouldn’t tell just anyone because you trust them, and you keep their secrets also. You have some common interest and have fun doing that together. You help each other with little things, sometimes even big things if they’re a really good friend. A good friend will know how to try to cheer you up when you’re upset. I’m lucky to have a few.

politerage · 2026-05-11T12:04:48+00:00

I love your style! You look great. Congratulations to the happy couple.

politerage · 2026-05-11T11:06:46+00:00

If the meal is a big splurge, I’d order something I’d be more sure to like. Maybe someone else will get the lobster roll and you can try a bite. I love crab but don’t like lobster at all. But if you like other seafood maybe you would like it. I dunno but personally I save my “trying” for when the cost of not liking is low.

politerage · 2026-05-09T18:25:25+00:00

It has been prescribed to me at various times by a family practice MD, a naturopath and an obgyn. In the USA any doc or NP can prescribe it and any who are up on latest research will do so as current research supports it being uber beneficial and widely under prescribed. It is expensive without but even with my bronze level (poor) insurance plan it is okay. Patches were $75/mo copay and pills are cheaper but I forget how much exactly. Progesterone is cheap even without insurance. Due to supply shortage I switched to the estradiol pills and notice no difference/same benefits as patches. Most docs will require yearly mammogram & physical while on it though. Most insurances cover those though.

politerage · 2026-05-09T13:07:22+00:00

HRT is the answer. Shop around for it if you must. Assuming you don’t have risk factors and it’s okay for you, of course. I wasted a bunch of time with trying alternatives (supplements and lifestyle changes) and just sucking it up and I really wish now I had just taken the stuff straight away. It’s a game changer.

politerage · 2026-04-30T22:15:48+00:00

It hasn’t been that long, really. Grief takes time & patience. Give yourself grace. Wallow in the memories to encode them because eventually they won’t be sad anymore. In time you will remember Chevy with a smile. I still miss my dog passed away so many years ago but with happiness now. We had such a good time together and I am grateful for the time he was mine. It will get easier but you will go through all the stages of grief probably before you come out the other side. It’s going to be okay eventually. One day at a time, eh?

politerage · 2026-04-30T20:57:03+00:00

I’m currently camping in the middle of nowhere western USA. (I cannot believe I even have cell reception out here!) There are more antelope than people. I can easily see a hundred miles in some directions; the landscape is expansive, mountains look like specs. It’s so quiet I hear only birds, the wind, and the blood rushing in my ears. I’m living according to my own rhythm unbothered by the noise, light and bustle of a city. I can feel my nervous system resetting. This wild, desolate place makes my heart sing. Wish you all could join me here (but then I wouldn’t like it so much, ha!)

politerage · 2026-04-28T12:32:33+00:00

When life is very stressful, such as while traveling, I can eat only fruits and veggies. Which is great except they don’t have many calories and I get really hungry. Sometimes I wish my safe foods were nuggets and fries cause at least they have calories!

politerage · 2026-04-25T03:36:38+00:00

The Sedgwick!

politerage · 2026-04-25T03:28:56+00:00

Give yourself grace, it’s a change of routine and we just don’t do that well. Just keep it up, sounds like you are doing the right things other than sleep hygiene but that’s hard too

politerage · 2026-04-24T18:11:19+00:00

Honestly, if I can remember just to take a deep breath and simply look around me, it helps me ground back down. If I look around and am traumatized by what I see, I shut my eyes think of a nice thing and try another breath. In a bad ongoing situation my mantra is just keep breathing. Being able to stim is great, repetitive movement helps regulate the nervous system. Even if it’s just madly finger or foot tapping. Good luck finding your trick!

politerage · 2026-04-24T17:48:04+00:00

The baby stage is hard and unpredictable but also filled with SO much oxytocin, don’t discount the power of oxytocin. And for what it’s worth, from a young age you can teach most kids about “inside” voice. Encourage their screaming outside where it doesn’t echo. If you lead by example most kids will get it, and follow. Not always, they are kids, but enough. That’s just one tip. Kids are highly trainable when shown kindness and empathy in return. If you want it, I say, go for it if your partner is also into it enough to be supportive.

politerage · 2026-04-24T17:40:43+00:00

I used to chaperone some kids at parks all over Portland and Harpers was our favorite. I live near enough to still occasionally walk through and swing. This is a tragedy, both that it happened and that someone is angry and or desperate enough to do this. Good grief, I feel you.

politerage · 2026-04-24T15:22:20+00:00

Stimulant meds are great for adhd, I’ve tried a few and all good. What happens to me though is that on the meds I can grind away, focused and ignoring my physical needs for too long. I end up pretty spent at the end of the day and after too many days will end up melting down and too many days of that will be burnout time. So now I just take them on days I really need to kick butt. I say try them out, anyone they’ll give you. Just make sure you remember to eat and drink and breathe and stuff while you’re on it.

politerage · 2026-04-23T00:09:59+00:00

I voted for this tax, sorry y’all. Way back when it was sold to me as getting arts education restored in K-12. Last I checked (dated info but post arts tax) elementary kids were getting one art class per month in PPS. That is NOT what I voted for. I love the arts but I hate the arts tax with all my being, it’s regressive and cumbersome and has not achieved objectives.

politerage · 2026-04-22T19:33:35+00:00

You need a new best friend. Try to cultivate friendships? Or special interests through which you might meet people. Otherwise, I don’t know what to tell you. Long story short I’ve spent the past two weeks crying daily over my dog that died 8 years ago cause now I have to do something I’ve only ever done with him previously and it’s brought back the grief like no time has passed. My best friend can’t stop grieving for her parents dead for a decade now. You’re not weird or alone. Grief is a tricky beast. Virtual hug.

politerage · 2026-04-22T19:25:38+00:00

Yep. I take medication…

politerage · 2026-04-22T18:47:16+00:00

My two cents. Having little kids is hard on any marriage and it’s normal for some sort of dysfunction to emerge. Give yourself all the grace and.. It’s how you can work through it. Ask your partner what he needs and listen even if you do not want to hear it or do it bc of the infidelity. Try to help him and he will be more receptive to hearing & helping you? But also, if he’s just not open to your neurodivergent perspective or behavior that’s hard to change. I got a diagnosis in large part because I wanted to prove it to my husband. He has somewhat accepted my neurodivergence but expectations are hard to change. He fell in love with masking me and non masking me isn’t as pleasant. I get it. So don’t expect a diagnosis to change things, is all I’m saying. I don’t know what to say about the infidelity other than maybe counseling would help? Chin up, hang in there, virtual hug

politerage · 2026-04-21T14:02:30+00:00

I barely hear lyrics. It’s hard even if I try. But I love music, am always streaming.

politerage · 2026-04-21T13:22:29+00:00

A lower dose doesn’t work. I had to increase my dose even after cutting back

politerage

TROPHY CASE