Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

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/ Chronic Pain Support Group

How are your family members dealing with it?

deleted_user
deleted_user
I slipped on the ice an damaged my spinal cord,I experience chronic pain all day every day this helped me and my loved ones

At the beginning we all went through hell. I wanted to be left alone, and they had no choice but to sit back and watch me deteriate.They were scared about the type of medications I was taking, the side effects they had on me. To be on the side lines and not understand what was going on, and worst not being able to help Im sure was not fun. What really helped; I asked my pain doctor to have a meeting with my family and I, including my parents my wife and my two young kids 5 & 7 yrs, they (everybody) were allowed to ask the doctor any question they wanted. The doctor was quit informative unfortunately it didn't change anything physically for me but it definitely made a positive impact on my family, they now understand a little bit of why I do what I do, For me it was a kind of a relief that this was for real and it is coming from the doctor him self and that it wasnt in my head or fabricated, and the powerful narcotics I was taking were necessary. My kids were the one who feeked me out, they were the ones that ask the smarter questions they made me proud.
Remember your not alone whwn you suffer they all suffer with you make sure they understand the facts it helps!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Great post,good advice!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Wonderful post.

My then teenage boys never had a meeting, but did watch me get epidurals in the doctors office without anesthesia. Holding me down while 6 inch needles go into my spine showed them that I was seriously in pain.

Only one boy ran out of the room.

Ouch
deleted_user
deleted_user
i think it is more difficult for them than us??? at least some of the time.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I understand. For 3 years I went to all my appointments by myself. It wasn't until I became suicidal, that my husband decided to go with me to several of my therapy appointments and all of my pain clinic appoinments with me. Now he's totally on board with everything. He's the first one that says - stop, you're doing too much, go lay down for a while. It changed his whole outlook. My oldest son had to take me to the ER after a nasty fall, and when they wouldn't give me anything for pain, he took the Dr. out into the hallway and gave him a good talking to. Then he came back in and started crying and said I'm sorry - this is what you've had to deal with for so long. Families need to be involved in our appointments to really understand what we're going through.
Lesa
Lesa
Having your family understand is so important.This is good!
LunarAngel
LunarAngel
We are blessed to have family and friends that care to learn about what is going on with us. I'm so lucky that my boyfriend is so supportive and caring. At first he didn't know what to think..neither did I. But after a ton of research, going to doctors with me, and even watching a DVD on Fibro...he/we began to understand. Chronic pain and Fibro are life long dibilitating conditions. I'm going to have good days, bad days, and even worse days. I let him know how I feel most days so he knows how to deal with me. He knows when my Fibro and pain flare up, that times even the smallest touch on my arm (or anywhere for that matter) sends me through the roof. So, he knows to back off, offer his help, and listen to me. He's gotten so good at it that most of the time just a look from me and he will know how I'm feeling right then. It's so, so important to have a good support system in place and people who genuinely care about you around you. Some people are just ignorant and done give a rats ass to know how we feel. And no matter how much info people have or research they have done, they will never know what it's like to be in our shoes until they have walked in them themselves. But it does help us to know they at least try to understand what we all go through on a daily basis.

Jessica
ZAZAS
ZAZAS
this is about the best post I have ever heard concerning family members and chronic pain. Problem is, how do you get your doctor to sit down and talk to your family?
deleted_user
deleted_user
How wonderful to see a post where so many families are supportive of their CP family member. Usually it is just the opposit! Good for all of you!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Very great post. My husband said he would take me to Albany to get the surgical consult--this will be good for both of us.

Though I confess after taking my small dose of morphine, I zoned on watching the kitten lick its face. So cute.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I found your story very inspirational. In my own life, I'm working on sharing with my family about my chronic pain, but I finf i hard. Blue22
deleted_user
deleted_user
this is something I do struggle with. My husband is wonderful....insists that I do what I need for myself, take the meds, see the doc, take the day off. He did ask me to really try to make sure I do these things on my own though. I think it is hard on him to see me in pain and trying to work through in and not giving in when I should. This stresses him. The rest of my fam is interesting. My mom wishes everything were homeopathic in some way, which I understand, but I don't think she understands the level of the pain, and how could she....my dad just calls and says...you are having a good day right? and is always disappointed that his prayers are not working like they should be. It is hard. As this continues on, it is all new for me its only been just over 1 1/2 years, I think I would do a similar thing with them though....Great advice!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Inspiratioal post!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Some of you asked how do you get the Dr. to talk to your family. Take them with you to your next appointment and explain that they have some questions about your illnesses. I have taken everyone, even my oldest son's girlfriend and my best friend. Sometimes, they have asked questions, that I have never thought to ask through my foggy mind.
deleted_user
deleted_user
My mom went with me when I went 2 discuss my MRI so she heard out of his mouth that her 25 year old daughter has the back of a 65 year old man! She understands that I will push myself 2 far and pay for it later, so she trys to helo me out whenever she can! But sometimes this pisses me off! Like of thanksgiving I carried in a pan of food and she jumped down my throat! "MANDI WHY ARE YOU CARRYING THAT!" I said " Mom it's like 5 lbs!" and she said "I dont give a shit!" Things like that make me mad! and when were shopping and she really wants 2 kepp going but she knows I'm in pain, so she'll say " Can your back handel anymore?" I dont wanna say NO and make her go home because its not he fault!
And my son...he's 4! They other night he fell and I tried to pick him up and he said " NO MOMMY YOUR NOT ALLOWED!" AND THEN HE YELLED FOR MY MOM! things like that make me wanna cry! My fiance left a week ago saturday because we are fighting alot but really I think it hurts him because he remebers how I use 2 be before, and he cant stand it when I cry in the middle of the night!
I dont know what the point of all that was, but I love my family and they all deal in there own way!
deleted_user
deleted_user
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