Steelgirl,
You see, he and you are not alone.
Welcome to the family were we chat, vent, laugh and just read. A nice place to come and just know that we understand and support one another...

There are changes in RSD patients brain chemistry.

Sticking his head in the sand and taking it out on you seems unacceptable IMO.

I treated my son too harshly years ago when my pain was out of control, for a period of about 8 months. He understands some of it was beyond my control, but it effected our relationship for years. It was really hard for him to trust me afterwards.

The first thing I did was see a pain psychologist that helped me learn to breath through the pain. Learning to accept that you're disabled is not an easy process either, and he might need a therapist to deal with that as well.

I refused strong meds for fear of addiction (family history) and my then doc didn't really disclose what he was prescribing...but starting opiates was a big step for me to begin behaving like my old self again--especially in regards to my relationship with my teenage son. Teenagers are never fun, but I was lucky to have one that was high achieving and mostly drama free and my pain induced foul moods didn't do him any favors.

Insomnia is another issue for those with chronic pain. If he's sleep deprived, that will only exacerbate his problems.

Would he go to couples counseling with you?

I will say, other family members have taken my flares personally, when I just look miserable and get quiet. Lord, one of them even has complained, when I breath loudly--which I do reflexively at this point. But they can ask now, and I can explain, "No, I'm not irritated with you. I'm just having a bad day." When my pain was out of control there were times I really was inappropriately angry.

I did it again last night. My husband was taking me to dinner and wanted to see if they had what he wanted before we ate. So I stood there on one foot for what seemed like 10 min. or more and was absouletly ******. I asked him, how long does it take to look to see if they have bread pudding? Wow!
The problem is standing on my so called good foot, which is starting to have pain and the running cold water feeling. My bad foot throbbing because it is not elevated.
Lit love said about sleep deprivation, that is true a person does not act right when they are missing sleep.

My problem isn't missing enough sleep (I have the luxury of staying in bed). It's waking up in pain at all hours then trying to go back to sleep. I never seem to get a night of continuous sleep anymore...

A disrupted sleep cycle is horrible on your brain function as well. If you can't sleep through the night you need a stronger (I don't remember if you've discussed your meds before) extended release or time release pain medication. Being asleep should be the easiest activity on your body in a 24 hr cycle. Taking a little extra breakthrough before might be an option as well.

Not a doc. Not EVEN a doc on tv.

Just someone who had a doc ask years ago, "When was the last time you got a full nights sleep?" My answer, when I stopped crying, was in years. Having someone finally recognize the obvious was a relief though, ya know? And even then, I was given Ambien (nasty stuff IMO) but it was better than not sleeping, although nothing is like the natural sleep cycle.

I was prescribed Ambien awhile ago but after reading about the side effects I didn't go for it. But I will bring it up to my neurologist. A full night sleep would be nice...

There are better options than Ambien. A few years back I received prescription strength melatonin that worked well, but my pain is being managed well, so...

Pre-CRPS, I took ambien for another reason for about 4 weeks. There was good reason the pharmacist said to get off it ASAP: I got tired of everyone else telling what kind of dumb things I did the night before! The amnesia thing was too embarrasing. Haven't taken it since! I have found useful utility in 0.5 mg lorazepam at bedtime. Seems to get me through to 3 or 4 am without the nasty side effects...