Chronic Pain

@Effie It is beautiful to hear you love and support for your partner but it is also wonderful that you can identify the toll that it takes on you and the need to put self care stratergies in.

I know that @outlander and @Former-Member have had a similar experiences in the carers role.

Hi @Effie

I care for my husband who has been having a few pain issues brought about by an attempt and an injury which did not heal. Am hoping his recent surgery will help with this (but he has been overdoing things ...).

It is of course more than just the pain, it is the grief and loss that come with having had an injury, socially, economically, the list goes on, parallels major MI which in itself is another chronic health condition.

I noticed you have said you have also come out of a difficult situation yourself. As @LouLouMagoo alluded to, self care is a must. It took me a long time for me to actually "get this". As a carer it is easy for us to be drawn into our loved ones ups and downs, which is best avoided for our own sanity. I will tag you in a talk about caring for someone with bipolar as the principles are similar, it may be of help to you. In the "what's new" tab there are also some other talks on grief which also may help.

hi @Effie and welcome

both @Former-Member@LouLouMagoo have given some good information here. my pop deals with chronic pain that being arthritis and i deal with it first hand myself so have quite abit of experince with it all and am happy to answer any questions you may have.

as Darcy pointed out, the self care part is really important to incorporate into each day even if its something small. can you try and make a routine to see where you can fit in your self care activities each day? it doesnt have to be all in one go say go out for coffee in the morning and a walk in the arvo so 2 activites but at separate times.