Female, 39

5’5” and obese

Complicated medical history but the relevant issues for this are autism, PTSD, chronic pain, social anxiety

Multiple medications

I was discharged from the hospital today after developing issues with my gallbladder (surgery is being planned, I am high risk in many ways). While hospitalized, it became very clear to me that I need a reliable way to communicate to doctors and nurses that due to autism and PTSD (involving child abuse where I was punished for reacting to pain) I do not express pain normally. Preferably I would like to do this without sounding like I am drug seeking. I am a chronic pain patient who usually makes my one month supply of medication last 4-6 months and I have a decent to above average pain tolerance. But I am struggling to know how best to explain in a medical setting, when social anxiety also kicks in. How would you best respond to this information?

Thanks!