I am seeking help from members in how to deal with spousal chronic pain. Son and his wife have been together for five years now. She was a healthy, adverturesome, happy girl when they met. About two years into the relationship she started to have pain first centering around her menstrual period and then spreading and getting much worse. She has been to Johns Hopkins and have been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis.


Son came to us in tears. She has completely changed from the person she was. She now spends a majority of her time on the couch. She has lost most of her friends and wants him to be with her 24/7 despite the fact that he has to work. They have no life as she cannot walk or sit or long so basically it is sit and watch tv. He has always been an active person, probably a bit ADD like his dad and needs to move.

She sleeps until at least noon every day and then wants to stay up watching tv until the wee hours of the morning. And she seems to have lost all regard for his needs- he had to sleep and get up in the morning but she will not mute the tv so he can sleep and she will wake him out of a deep sleep because she wants him to 'hold' her. She had gone from a very giving person to a very self-involved person.

He is at his wit's end. He knows they cannot go on like this, she wants him to wait on her hand and foot and she is doing nothing to help herself. I know she must be afraid of the future and hurting and also knowing that their drug plan has run out.

I don't want them to separate and he really does not either but he knows they can't go on like this. She will not get counseling although he has suggested it.

Any suggestions from people on both sides, both experiencing chronic pain and care givers who are burned out would be so much appreciated. Sorry this is so long but we desperately need help to save this marriage.