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Woody89
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Supporting a partner with chronic pain

My partner of 13 years has been dealing with chronic pain on and off for 10 or so years, but the last two have been particularly challenging. She started full time work (from home) a couple of months ago, which has been overwhelmingly positive, however in the last two weeks the pain has reared its head with full force and she is questioning whether or not she can continue. Despite the obvious physical discomfort the job is causing her, I feel the mental benefits are too great to give up on. I never want to push, but fear her potentially leaving the job may lead to a downward spiral. That debilitating sense of feeling overwhelmed by her various practitioners and the pain is taking its toll on her and I can see she is headed towards a very dark place. Sometimes I feel at a loss as to how I can best help/ that I'm not doing enough, but I too am exhausted and overwhelmed. I feel guilty even typing those words as I know her pain and associated depression are far greater than anything I have had to experience. 

4 REPLIES 4

Re: Supporting a partner with chronic pain

hi there, 

 

this sounds really difficult and super tough to cope with. might be worth checking in with her GP again and your GP too to see if you can see a psychologist and get a mental health care plan if needed to help you both through a particularly challenging time. wishing you all the best with navigating your way through this. keep checking in with us here at the forums and rember their are the helplines like beyond blue and life line if you need extra support too.  

Re: Supporting a partner with chronic pain

Thanks for your response.
Re her GP I feel that she may need to find a new one as her current dr is of an older generation and doesnโ€™t quite have the care and nuance of more contemporary practitioners. Today however I did manage to convince my partner to enquire at a specialist pain centre in Sydney about going on a pain plan. The last time she did so the specialist wasnโ€™t great, but I feel if we can find the right one it may be easier to have all the information pooled in one place and unified (as apposed to the many different dissonant voices of her current support network - she often complains of feeling overwhelmed by their differences). Fingers crossed this new place can help.

Re: Supporting a partner with chronic pain

Yoga has been demonstrated to help people with chronic pain. Studies showed that yoga helps reduce pain perception, decrease inflammation, and improve mobility among people with a range of chronic pain conditions.

Re: Supporting a partner with chronic pain

I must count my blessings, I am 58 and in perfect health, no pain or underlying health issues. I wish you best of luck with helping him solve his chronic pain issues.

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