DEAR ERIC: I was recently in a pretty bad car accident. I was knocked unconscious among other things. My first memory is waking up in the hospital, not knowing what was going on, and having a nurse ask me if I wanted anything for the pain. I said no. Then the nurse stepped out in the hallway and yelled, “he’s a tough guy; doesn’t want any pain meds.” This was brought up to me later in my two-week hospital stay, that I was trying to be a tough guy. I don’t even know how to respond to that; nor do I think I’ve ever had a high tolerance for pain.

– No Pain

DEAR PAIN: It’s clear there was a miscommunication there. It behooved the nurse to treat you with respect and care. And let’s say that your response was more brusque than you’ve characterized it here – you also had a head injury so you ma

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