Family issues and CP

hi everyone.i was talking to my hubby about some of my chronic pain issues last night and i have always noticed that he gets flustered and cuts me off and snaps that he can't help me.what i really got upset about when i pointed this out to him was that he said that it is not possible to have 5 chronic pain issues in my body and that he believes i am making some of this up.believe me,i saw red.i said to him,why would i make chronic pain up?i said that i would rather lead a normal life without pain than make it up to get attention.my hubby and my kids have seen me suffer for so many years and to hear this,well,i just don't know what to think anymore.it just blew me away.i am under a lot of stress at home with 2 very difficult teenage kids and i know that stress can contribute to chronic pain issues but i am not making all of this up.just because test after test shows nothing is wrong does not mean i am making it all up.if i wanted more attention at home,i would not be making up pain issues.that does not make sense to me.even my parents believe that i am making things up and they have never shown any support with my twin sister and i who both suffer chronic pain.anyone else been through this?

Post Edited By Moderator (Screaming Eagle) : 4/3/2012 10:44:41 PM (GMT-6)

Autumn, I am sorry that you don't have the understanding at home that you need and deserve. But, this is not uncommon at all and happens much more than you realize. The men think too that they are suppose to be able to fix us, well they can't and they just sometimes can't understand much about a chronic illness. My husband was not supportive at all when I first went down with CP, he did not understand why the drs couldn't just fix me. How I try to look at it is, sometimes I don't understand this mess so how can I expect anyone else to.

You may want to take him with you to a drs appt and let him hear first hand about your situation from a professional. Just don't let it tear you down, you know you are in pain and its not something a person would want to fake for the fun of things. You know even friends as a rule can't get a handle on it.

Just keep trying to get some answers that is the important thing. Take care....Susie

Hi Autunm,

Join the club of family and friends who just don't understand what were going thru.My problems started in 2005 with my lung collapsing and the hospital having to do a thoracotomy and removing 4liters of junk from the chest cavity and half of my lung at age 39. I spent 30days in the hospital and since then I have been hospitalized 26 times (2-3day stays) and because of the lung problems I was given massive doses of prednisone which caused another disease that has affected 6 joints that all need to be replaced..The only reason I gave you my history is that my family and friends still don't believe I have a chronic pain problem and don't understand why I can't work or go out for the evening. They keep telling me when I am better we can do this and we can do that. And when I talk to them about this being a lifelong disease they just don't understand. My brother has been to most of my doctor visits and still doesn't understand. I can't figure it out. And it always turns into some very heated arguments. My favorite response is that I want to be in pain or be disabled..It's as if I was talking to the wall.. Or my favorite response from my family is that I am DEPRESSED ... You are not alone I hope you feel better Randy

P.S. This subject in my house is taboo-and if brought up World War 3 breaks out...