Guest guest Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 No you are not the only one that has been treated that way. That is one of the reasons why I'm now single. I was told that I was lazy, addicted to pain meds, depressed (I was but not only because of the pain), and attention seeking. You name it...and yes, it was abusive. I didn't know about this group then and I felt very alone. I stayed longer than I should have because I was afraid I couldn't make it on my own. I have a friend that calls that, " selling your soul for a pot of stew! " I can't advise anyone else on what action to take in their relationship but for me leaving the relationship was better than being made to feel like sh*t about myself. For me there are worse things that being alone. Let me stress that I am only referring to my situation and I am not attempting to advise. I am only sharing my experience. LIVE AND LET LIVE RITA Subject: spouses To: Hugs-N-Pain Date: Saturday, August 23, 2008, 9:46 PM hi all, I was just wondering how many people with fibro,chronic pain,failed spinal fusions,degenerativ e disc disease,how are your spouses handle these conditions.I am constantly being told that I use pain as an excuse,to suck it up etc.My spouse is a registered nurse,and of all the people who you would think understands. My counselor has often said this is a form of emotional abuse,it is taken a big toll on me. I just do not believe I am the only person in pain that is treated this way,am I? I would be interested if anyone has any input or suggestions, thanks,kat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 I used to be a registered nurse/substance abuse councelor and like many doctors...the nurses can be very ignorant about pain. The " Old School " pain teaching may still be going on. It's like they are hypervigilant when people are on opiods. They have a real out of date way of determining if someone is drug seeking. They don't seem to understand that if you're in real pain...of course we are...duh... " Nursing education is also lacking in the area of pain management. Ferrell and her colleagues (1992) did a content analysis of 14 nursing textbooks published since 1985—including texts on pharmacology—which sheds considerable light on the source of nurses’ misinformation on pain management. Most texts used confusing terminology in their discussion of opioid analgesics and the low incidence of addiction when these drugs are used for pain management. Some texts even promoted the fear of addiction when opioids are used for pain control. " http://www.cssa-inc.org/Articles/narcophobia.htm Some of the explanations on this page are right on. The terms narcophobia and pseudoaddiction bring a whole new meaning to understanding the behavior of under treated chronic pain patients and under educated health professionals....and major ignorance about opoids, addiction and those that depend on opoids for their very lives. The concentration of the media on those that misuse these drugs add big time to that ignorance. So...because you are a member of the medical community doesn't give you the right to call someone an addict or have the audacity to say " Suck it up " . When they can run around with a bear trap on one foot and carry on with the words " Suck it up " ...we'll listen. Determining addiction takes someone who is trained in addiction and can diagnose it. Not all doctors/nurses can do that. " Suck it up " .....If it weren't such a stupid thing to say I'd laugh. What really goes on is many people feel very helpless in the face of people with chronic pain. They can't " fix " it.. So....making it something that it is not...like all in your head...(making it YOUR fault) it's easier for them to deal with. You have to inform them it's not about them. Health professionals want to " Fix " it. They can't with chronic pain. They fail in " fixing " it...so they gotta make it your fault. They aren't even aware of it. What helps us is stuck in controversy....opiates...so it makes it double hard. Opiates are one of the safest pain meds out there....and the poppy extract has been with us for about 3000 years and not everyone gets addicted. It just makes the loudest noise so everyone pays attention to that. Opiates work on pain, spasms, alter pain perception...and generally do a good job. I have fibro/myofacial pain syndrome/L3 L4 cave in on the nerves/advanced osteoarthritis/sciatica. I just had a lousy bout with the myofacial aspect of this. My jaws go nuts then the headaches and just feel horrible...better now...but ouch!!! Both my sons are ok with the pain...I mean they don't like and have seen " The Beast " since they were in middle school so are aware and used to it...but they don't like me in pain. " The Beast " is a right should blade spasm that I've had for 18 years, put me on disability and is opiate controlled because it interrupts the synapse from signal to spasm and so can prevent it..but only opiates. Nothing else will control it...now you try to explain that to a doctor who wouldn't understand and there's a lot who wouldn't. What a curse!!! Anway...DON " T let anyone pull that crap about sucking it up or ever, ever try to get away calling you an addict. Lotacats Express Chronic Pain Awareness http://www.cafepress.com/lotacatspix/5815010 Zazzle Star http://www.zazzle.com/lotacats* Myspace http://www.myspace.com/lotacats Deviantart http://lotacats05.deviantart.com/ Subject: spouses To: Hugs-N-Pain Date: Saturday, August 23, 2008, 7:46 PM hi all, I was just wondering how many people with fibro,chronic pain,failed spinal fusions,degenerativ e disc disease,how are your spouses handle these conditions.I am constantly being told that I use pain as an excuse,to suck it up etc.My spouse is a registered nurse,and of all the people who you would think understands. My counselor has often said this is a form of emotional abuse,it is taken a big toll on me. I just do not believe I am the only person in pain that is treated this way,am I? I would be interested if anyone has any input or suggestions, thanks,kat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 Hello, This is such a great topic. My husband is the opposite he treats me like I will break or something. He gets mad and yells if I vacume or carry in groceries so on a good day I get frustrated I can not do anything. If we have plans to go out to dinner he will all of the sudded come home with dinner because he thought I looked like I was in pain but he does this without asking and on a good day I want to go out, I miss my old hangouts he over protects me. He has even turned down pre-season Bears game invites to stay home with me. I get frustrated because I feel he stopped his world to take care of me when he always says I have been there done that too many times and I want to be home here with you. BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT!!!!! When money is tight it is quite different! He is a dentist but he tends to let too many people make payments therefore puts us behind in the office because we still have to pay the staff and the lab ect... But he has had the same patients for 28 yrs and if they are short in the economy he can not say no. This and with so many extra school expenses for the begining of the school yr it seems no one pays th Dentist! So long story short: When money is an issue he suddenly starts with why are'nt you working more (I work as a fill in in billing for a friend when she gets behind) I have too do every thing, why can't the kids just keep the house clean, I work all day then make dinner and wait on you!!!!! and he yells that really hurts me BAD we have only been married a yr but I swear he has never raised his voice at me until the other day and when it comes to money I think that is the root to all evil in men. but the next day I get the I am sorry and roses a case of snickers! Like that takes away that feeling of being helpless because you are really in too much pain to work, or to drive for petes sake! I do not mean to sound rude so please do not take it that way and by all means I do not have all the answers, Have you stood up to him and told him NOT to talk to you that way, you are his wife not a child and you love him but he can leave if he is so unhappy and thinks there is better out there? The is the phrase I used along with even with my pain you will NEVER find a women like me so please try! Ok sorry for the book but I just can not take it when men are asses because of pain like you can controll it. You take care and remember you have this group to be here for you! a > > > Subject: spouses > To: Hugs-N-Pain > Date: Saturday, August 23, 2008, 9:46 PM > > > > > > > hi all, I was just wondering how many people with fibro,chronic > pain,failed spinal fusions,degenerativ e disc disease,how are your > spouses handle these conditions.I am constantly being told that I use > pain as an excuse,to suck it up etc.My spouse is a registered nurse,and > of all the people who you would think understands. My counselor has > often said this is a form of emotional abuse,it is taken a big toll on > me. > I just do not believe I am the only person in pain that is treated this > way,am I? > I would be interested if anyone has any input or suggestions, thanks,kat > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 I think alot of people go through some form of this with their spouse. Mine doesn't tell me I'm lazy (YET) but he does NOT understand the pain and depression. He will always say to me " you're fine one minute and the next you're not...I don't get it " He thinks I can still do everything I could before this occurred and it frustrates the heck out of me. The funny thing is that he had RSD (as I do) before in his thumb. But lucky for him, it didn't spread and he had a nerve block and no symptoms since. So you think he would get the pain! Hang in there. It's up to you what you want to do with your relationship. As someone else wrote, we can't tell you what to do in your relationship, only you can determine that, but when making your decisions, just remember that you are NOT lazy and can't control the fact that you have pain. Don't let anyone make you feel any different than that. > > > > Subject: spouses > To: Hugs-N-Pain > Date: Saturday, August 23, 2008, 9:46 PM > > > > > > > hi all, I was just wondering how many people with fibro,chronic > pain,failed spinal fusions,degenerativ e disc disease,how are your > spouses handle these conditions.I am constantly being told that I use > pain as an excuse,to suck it up etc.My spouse is a registered nurse,and > of all the people who you would think understands. My counselor has > often said this is a form of emotional abuse,it is taken a big toll on > me. > I just do not believe I am the only person in pain that is treated this > way,am I? > I would be interested if anyone has any input or suggestions, thanks,kat > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 Hi Kat, I was with my husband for 20 yrs when I ended our marriage. We had been together since I was 13. I had been sick for a year and a half and he wouldn't even believe I was sick period. He'd say that I was really convincing to the docs as to why they would put me on disability. WOW, I'm a great actress!! He would tell me how worthless I was among other things, thinking that if he belittled me enough, I'd get off my ass and move. After this time, I found the Internet and found that I was still alive and worth something. I was still a living, breathing human who deserved to be treated better. Then I asked him one final question: " What happened to what you vowed, In Sickness and In Health? " He responded with " those are only rituals that everyone says at their wedding " . I had tried to get him to come see my Counselor, to come to the support group I was a member of for Chronic Fatigue and Fibro, he wouldn't go. I tried to get him to read books I had obtained from the library, or let me read them to him, to no avail. So after his response to my question. I knew it was over and I had to make him leave. It was Thanksgiving weekend when I learned how he truly felt. So I waited till well after the holidays and made him leave in February. A wk and a half later, he begged to come back, promising to go to all of these things and read the books. I had to hold to my guns. I knew he was wanting this for the wrong reasons. He didn't love me anymore, not the way I loved him and it just wouldn't work. So I declined. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but I had to do it. I had to be alive. During that year and a half, I had been in patient in a Psych Hospital for suicide ideation's, I had written multiple suicide notes, then when getting to the one I'd write to my young son's I just couldn't go through with it. I'd call my Counselor and talk. I just couldn't live like that anymore. And my son's didn't deserve to live in a loveless marriage. Do I regret it? Well, it doesn't really matter now as he is gone. He committed suicide 4-1/2 yrs ago. Because he, himself fell ill and couldn't handle it. He came up with Hep C and Bi-Polar and wasn't going to live his life sick. He would be 49 this yr, if he were alive. A part of me regrets not taking him back, as he IS the love of my life, but I can't change that now. I'm not really sure if I really have a message here to you, but this was my experience. Every situation is different. ~Tommie~ www.myspace.com/tommiejj PH, CFS, FMS, Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, Restless Leg Syndrome Don't waste energy second-guessing what you're missing or what can go awry. If you put enough energy into doubt, something will undoubtedly go wrong. Instead, focus on the positive possibilities with a hopeful attitude. spouses hi all, I was just wondering how many people with fibro,chronic pain,failed spinal fusions,degenerative disc disease,how are your spouses handle these conditions.I am constantly being told that I use pain as an excuse,to suck it up etc.My spouse is a registered nurse,and of all the people who you would think understands.My counselor has often said this is a form of emotional abuse,it is taken a big toll on me. I just do not believe I am the only person in pain that is treated this way,am I? I would be interested if anyone has any input or suggestions,thanks,kat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 hi heather my wife is juct like your husband my wife thanks i can just bounce around the farm doing everthing that i have no pain and that i donot have to take pain pills donnieKY spouses > To: Hugs-N-Pain@ yahoogroups.. com > Date: Saturday, August 23, 2008, 9:46 PM > > > > > > > hi all, I was just wondering how many people with fibro,chronic > pain,failed spinal fusions,degenerativ e disc disease,how are your > spouses handle these conditions.I am constantly being told that I use > pain as an excuse,to suck it up etc.My spouse is a registered nurse,and > of all the people who you would think understands. My counselor has > often said this is a form of emotional abuse,it is taken a big toll on > me. > I just do not believe I am the only person in pain that is treated this > way,am I? > I would be interested if anyone has any input or suggestions, thanks,kat > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 OMG Tommie, How horrible! I am embarrassed to admit my DH is great. If he has any non belief of my pain, it was pretty much delineated with my last MRI, even he could see something was wrong. He has been really great and supportive, This weekends is a prime example. Friday night he made dinner and we had sat down to eat, Within about 20 minutes, I started feeling nauseous and then started tossing cookies. After the cookies cam the sink the shed and every single painful item you can think of. It was by far one of the most painful experiences I have ever had. Finally he had enough I guess because he swept me up took me to the ER where the gave me some zofran and some blessed dilaudid and a CT. Turns out i had an intestinal blockage and went to surgery that night. I am home now, off and on with the drugs, but semi lucid occasionally Ruth > Hi Kat, > > I was with my husband for 20 yrs when I ended our marriage. We had been > together since I was 13. I had been sick for a year and a half and he > wouldn't even believe I was sick period. He'd say that I was really > convincing to the docs as to why they would put me on disability. WOW, I'm a > great actress!! He would tell me how worthless I was among other things, > thinking that if he belittled me enough, I'd get off my ass and move. After > this time, I found the Internet and found that I was still alive and worth > something. I was still a living, breathing human who deserved to be treated > better. Then I asked him one final question: " What happened to what you > vowed, In Sickness and In Health? " He responded with " those are only rituals > that everyone says at their wedding " . I had tried to get him to come see my > Counselor, to come to the support group I was a member of for Chronic > Fatigue and Fibro, he wouldn't go. I tried to get him to read books I had > obtained from the library, or let me read them to him, to no avail. So after > his response to my question. I knew it was over and I had to make him leave. > It was Thanksgiving weekend when I learned how he truly felt. So I waited > till well after the holidays and made him leave in February. A wk and a half > later, he begged to come back, promising to go to all of these things and > read the books. I had to hold to my guns. I knew he was wanting this for the > wrong reasons. He didn't love me anymore, not the way I loved him and it > just wouldn't work. So I declined. It was the hardest thing I've ever done > in my life, but I had to do it. I had to be alive. During that year and a > half, I > had been in patient in a Psych Hospital for suicide ideation's, I had > written multiple suicide notes, then when getting to the one I'd write to my > young son's I just couldn't go through with it. I'd call my Counselor and > talk. I just couldn't live like that anymore. And my son's didn't deserve to > live in a loveless marriage. > > Do I regret it? Well, it doesn't really matter now as he is gone. He > committed suicide 4-1/2 yrs ago. Because he, himself fell ill and couldn't > handle it. He came up with Hep C and Bi-Polar and wasn't going to live his > life sick. He would be 49 this yr, if he were alive. A part of me regrets > not taking him back, as he IS the love of my life, but I can't change that > now. > > I'm not really sure if I really have a message here to you, but this was my > experience. Every situation is different. > > ~Tommie~ > www.myspace.com/tommiejj > PH, CFS, FMS, Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, Restless Leg Syndrome > Don't waste energy second-guessing what you're missing or > what can go awry. If you put enough energy into doubt, > something will undoubtedly go wrong. > Instead, focus on the positive possibilities with a hopeful attitude. > spouses > > hi all, I was just wondering how many people with fibro,chronic > pain,failed spinal fusions,degenerative disc disease,how are your > spouses handle these conditions.I am constantly being told that I use > pain as an excuse,to suck it up etc.My spouse is a registered nurse,and > of all the people who you would think understands.My counselor has > often said this is a form of emotional abuse,it is taken a big toll on > me. > I just do not believe I am the only person in pain that is treated this > way,am I? > I would be interested if anyone has any input or suggestions,thanks,kat > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 Tommie you are a strong person and have been through so much I wish you more comfortable happy days ahead. a > > Hi Kat, > > I was with my husband for 20 yrs when I ended our marriage. We had been together since I was 13. I had been sick for a year and a half and he wouldn't even believe I was sick period. He'd say that I was really convincing to the docs as to why they would put me on disability. WOW, I'm a great actress!! He would tell me how worthless I was among other things, thinking that if he belittled me enough, I'd get off my ass and move. After this time, I found the Internet and found that I was still alive and worth something. I was still a living, breathing human who deserved to be treated better. Then I asked him one final question: " What happened to what you vowed, In Sickness and In Health? " He responded with " those are only rituals that everyone says at their wedding " . I had tried to get him to come see my Counselor, to come to the support group I was a member of for Chronic Fatigue and Fibro, he wouldn't go. I tried to get him to read books I had obtained from the library, or let me read them to him, to no avail. So after his response to my question. I knew it was over and I had to make him leave. It was Thanksgiving weekend when I learned how he truly felt. So I waited till well after the holidays and made him leave in February. A wk and a half later, he begged to come back, promising to go to all of these things and read the books. I had to hold to my guns. I knew he was wanting this for the wrong reasons. He didn't love me anymore, not the way I loved him and it just wouldn't work. So I declined. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but I had to do it. I had to be alive. During that year and a half, I > had been in patient in a Psych Hospital for suicide ideation's, I had written multiple suicide notes, then when getting to the one I'd write to my young son's I just couldn't go through with it. I'd call my Counselor and talk. I just couldn't live like that anymore. And my son's didn't deserve to live in a loveless marriage. > > Do I regret it? Well, it doesn't really matter now as he is gone. He committed suicide 4-1/2 yrs ago. Because he, himself fell ill and couldn't handle it. He came up with Hep C and Bi-Polar and wasn't going to live his life sick. He would be 49 this yr, if he were alive. A part of me regrets not taking him back, as he IS the love of my life, but I can't change that now. > > I'm not really sure if I really have a message here to you, but this was my experience. Every situation is different. > > ~Tommie~ > www.myspace.com/tommiejj > PH, CFS, FMS, Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, Restless Leg Syndrome > Don't waste energy second-guessing what you're missing or > what can go awry. If you put enough energy into doubt, > something will undoubtedly go wrong. > Instead, focus on the positive possibilities with a hopeful attitude. > spouses > > > hi all, I was just wondering how many people with fibro,chronic > pain,failed spinal fusions,degenerative disc disease,how are your > spouses handle these conditions.I am constantly being told that I use > pain as an excuse,to suck it up etc.My spouse is a registered nurse,and > of all the people who you would think understands.My counselor has > often said this is a form of emotional abuse,it is taken a big toll on > me. > I just do not believe I am the only person in pain that is treated this > way,am I? > I would be interested if anyone has any input or suggestions,thanks,kat > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 Thank you a. I do get tired of being so strong. It just wears me out sometimes. I hope you are having a good day. Hugs ~Tommie~ www.myspace.com/tommiejj PH, CFS, FMS, Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, Restless Leg Syndrome Don't waste energy second-guessing what you're missing or what can go awry. If you put enough energy into doubt, something will undoubtedly go wrong. Instead, focus on the positive possibilities with a hopeful attitude. spouses > > > hi all, I was just wondering how many people with fibro,chronic > pain,failed spinal fusions,degenerative disc disease,how are your > spouses handle these conditions.I am constantly being told that I use > pain as an excuse,to suck it up etc.My spouse is a registered nurse,and > of all the people who you would think understands.My counselor has > often said this is a form of emotional abuse,it is taken a big toll on > me. > I just do not believe I am the only person in pain that is treated this > way,am I? > I would be interested if anyone has any input or suggestions,thanks,kat > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 Lotacats, Thank you for a very well written post. If only all the doctors in the world of pain management could read it and understand what we have to deal with everyday for years and years. LIVE AND LET LIVE RITA Subject: spouses To: Hugs-N-Pain Date: Saturday, August 23, 2008, 7:46 PM hi all, I was just wondering how many people with fibro,chronic pain,failed spinal fusions,degenerativ e disc disease,how are your spouses handle these conditions.I am constantly being told that I use pain as an excuse,to suck it up etc.My spouse is a registered nurse,and of all the people who you would think understands. My counselor has often said this is a form of emotional abuse,it is taken a big toll on me. I just do not believe I am the only person in pain that is treated this way,am I? I would be interested if anyone has any input or suggestions, thanks,kat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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