I have been researching about night pain and most of the doctors think we feel more pain because we have nothing else going on to distract us from the sensations.
Not True, mine begins immediately on laying down , way before I am asleep.
There is a very interesting article in this weeks New Yorker mag. also available newyorker.com.
Its about horrififc itching but the explanation of how nerves send messages to the brain is very different than what we have been told AND the treatment is amazing. Using mirrors to fool the brain and it works. Cures phatom pain (missing limb).
While reading it late last night I believe it may be relevant to our pain sensations. I hope to write the researcher for advice.
Read the whole article as the relevant part is towards the end.