Can I rotate taking ibuprofen and Ultracet (Tramadol and acetaminophen), so I'm taking one every three hours?

Yes. If you need to do that for longer than a few days, though, definitely call your doctor. (Not because of the drug combo; because of the pain levels.)

I do not, but because I am hugely anti PDA, not because I have any fear or discomfort. I think nothing of holding hands or kissing hello or goodbye, and it makes me sad that others have to think about it.

I think nothing of holding hands or kissing hello or goodbye, and it makes me sad that others have to think about it.

I was out to dinner with my best friend and some other friends, among whom was a gay couple. One of the couple is a doctor who had to go to work after dinner, so when he left, he and his partner hugged, and said, "See you at home," and it struck me so strongly that they have to think about whether even a hug was safe to do in a busy restaurant. It makes me so sad, too.

Yes. If you need to do that for longer than a few days, though, definitely call your doctor. (Not because of the drug combo; because of the pain levels.)

K. I'm really hoping that if I take it really easy and dope myself up all weekend that by Monday I'll feel more like myself again. This flare-up is hanging on longer than usual for me, but I'm pretty sure it's partially because I keep pushing myself to keep performing at a higher level than I should be, even though I feel like crap.

I've never been a PDA kind of girl (even in straight relationships), so it's hard to say whether I experience this or not. I know that when we're out in the evening at a club or show or something I get a little huggy and I sometimes wonder if others are watching and judging. Not that I really care, but it does suck when it's something you'd never think about in a hetero relationship. I mostly hate the constantly coming out. Every time you start a new job or meet a new person you know it's coming - and it's annoying and sometimes a bit stressful.

I think I treat boyfriends and girlfriends pretty much the same in public. I tend to be pretty oblivious of how my behavior effects strangers around me.

I'm pretty sure it's partially because I keep pushing myself to keep performing at a higher level than I should be, even though I feel like crap.

Tell you what: I'll take it easy this weekend if YOU take it easy this weekend. (I've been PISSED at myself all day for the simple, lame reason that this accursed itchiness is probably cause to not go to the gym agyer work -- you know, getting all sweaty and hot is only going to make the itchiness worse, and it will drive me insane. Plus, I'm really sleepy from the Benadryl, and I don't need to fall off the treadmill, which I would SO do.)

Deal?

Yeah, I'm on both sides of the fence there. I'm not big on PDA because I'm me. But I've also sometimes pulled back from PDA due to the situation and the feel of unsafety. OTOH, there've been times when I've flagrantly chosen to grab a partner's hand (or heck, a friend's hand, when there was no gf around) just to be all "we're here we're queer" about it. So who the hell knows.

Deal?

Deal. I'm even thinking of going out to my parents and letting my mom do all my laundry and feed me and stuff.

I mostly hate the constantly coming out. Every time you start a new job or meet a new person you know it's coming - and it's annoying and sometimes a bit stressful.

Yeah, this. I mean, socially I hang with a very queer crew, so not an issue. But work-wise, or if for some reason I'm not in an unusual social scene (for me)...it gets old. I don't want to be all "HELLO! I"m GAAAAAAYYYYY!" as the first thing they learn about me. But I also don't want to be closeted or have them feel when they learn whenever down the road like I was hiding it...