I think one reason our friends and family may struggle to understand our illness is because there are no outward signs. We look perfectly normal/healthy. They look at us and don't see the pain inside us.

Also, because our pain is invisible, perhaps we try more so to inform others that we are indeed sick, and unable to do some things. This is true for me. I'm constantly having to remind my family that I'm in pain. Just last week my mother suggested a trip to the shopping mall, a huge multi layer, hard floored torture chamber!

It's this having to remind them over and over that forces me to talk about my illness more than I would otherwise. Perhaps as time goes on the people in my life will remember, then I can stop constantly reminding them.

Be careful though, your husband has a point, unfair as it sounds. I chose my mother and brother (and this forum) to vent my frustrations, chat incessantly to, about my pain. In this way, I've been able to spare others from the boredom. If they ask, I try to keep my answer short and thank them for their concern, then ask how they have been doing so as to turn the attention away from myself. It takes some practice and a ton of self control.

I believe you are new to all this. Talking constantly about it is part of us processing what has happened, and to try finding answers. (I still talk too much about it after a full year).

I try to remember that family and friends are not Doctors or Therapists. They are not educated in the art of pain empathy. It wasn't that long ago you and I were just like them, oblivious to chronic pain.