Relationships

This is something that is difficult to talk about – but is extremely important to discuss.

When someone is in chronic pain, it is difficult for those around them to understand what they are going through.

The person not in pain may think: “how should I act?” “Why are they always sad?” “I don’t know what to do”

Whereas the person in pain may think: “I wonder if they think I am faking?” “It is difficult for me to always ask for help, I must be such an inconvenience” “I wonder if they still love me?”

Ultimately, as with all ups and downs in relationships, it is essential to have open communication.

What do you need from your partner? Support, help doing chores, physical assistance?

How should your partner act? Sympathetic? No different than before?

It is important to let your partner know how you feel, emotionally and physically. However, it is just as important to make a concerted effort, with a professional, to find out what is wrong, and how to manage the pain or ultimately determine if surgery is required.

Too many times, people tend to believe that there is a magic pill for everything. Dealing with pain is a daily struggle. However, the more you learn about your pain and how to manage it, the better things become.

Educate yourself and those you are in relationships with. This I have learned brings people closer together, and makes the daily struggle, far less of one.