@sandytoes......depends on the type of pain. Sometimes I can be distracted. Lately, my headaches, migraines, which are in the area of my stroke, have been constant, every hour of everyday. My pain med helps my other issues, like type2 trigeminal neuralgia, RA, Fibro, ordinary arthritis, thoracic outlet. (Wow, I think I am now my grandma, lol.) Not perfect, of course, but helps. But very minimally the headaches!!! I use a combo of ibuprophen, aspirin, excedrin migraine, but the headaches are too bad for the meds that should help a headache. I've learned to compartmentalize my pain which is helpful, mentally. Yep, it's part of me, but just a part.

Not one of those issues is going to disappear, so along with the pain med, I keep busy and focus on others, or refinishing furniture, which I do very well. Very satisfying work. But lately, my stupid head is making anything I try to do a chore, instead of a pleasure. Hate to give in to it, but it's eating up my "creative energy". What I wouldn't give for something so awesome it could distract me from my stupid head. 🙁