AZ-Di, I completely get what you mean. I hate the slightest feeling of being a burden too, and of course sometimes it's just there no matter how hard you try - because you DO have a chronic condition and you just can't do everything you would want...

Sorry if any of the following sounds like I think I am some kind of counsellor - I'm just trying to say something that might help!

Sounds like your husband is stressed out and has maybe taken his eye off your situation a little. It happens with my husband too - it's when he gets stressed and worried and feels like the world is on his shoulders that he seems to almost resent my problems. Makes me feel so bad. Cheers for that I doubt he really means to upset you, he's just venting - BUT he needs to realise how hurtful it is to you. I'd wait until he is calmer and then tell him how bad you feel, but that he must try to understand that you have to do these things to treat the CRPS. If you had cancer you would have to go for regular treatment, if you had kidney problems you would go for regular dialysis, if you had an in growing toenail you would go for regular podiatrist appointments. All long-term health issues bring with them regular trips to see medics. He needs to realise that you hate having to go and have them more than anyone!

Has he ever been in the room while you have the procedure? If he has then ask him if he thinks you like having it done. If he hasn't then show him a YouTube video of one being done. Might help him get a little perspective...?

Oh I so know the happy happy joy cheerleader thing! I had exactly that talk with my husband last weekend - why is it always down to me? Why can't you manage to try to remain cheerful when I am feeling bad? It makes me feel so responsible for everyone else's happiness.....yet sometimes I am just trying to find some for myself.

Keep battling on girl. Talk to him and tell him the rants make you feel horrible. Ordering you not to get upset because he'll get mad and won't sleep?! That's not very considerate at all! If things get really bad I occasionally have to remind my husband of the 'sickness and health' part of our marriage - if HE were the one to have got sick, does he not think I would care for him and try to ease his burden? Would I not have tried to hide my frustrations about the difficulties it caused in order to save him from feeling worse than he already did? Normally stops him in his tracks. I think sometimes they just get into a little pit of self-pity and have to be helped out. A bit of flattery, thanks for what they do and a nudge in the direction of guilt and what's right and wrong help us get out of those times.

I really hope you feel better soon, and can keep that appointment. It's important that you go, so try not to feel so bad about it. I'm sure he'll come round again - have you ever read 'Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus'? It's so true it's almost funny He's gone into his cave, but he will come out again...

Remember that this is not your fault and you didn't choose it. You are coping as best you can with everything it throws at you, and personally I think you do pretty darn well girl. Be proud of everything you do despite your CRPS, and we're right behind you

Bram.

Don't let it get you down. We all have off days. I had one just the other day. He is slammed at work, he is probably worried about you too. If I could I would go get you and drive you, but I'm on the otherside of NM. I have felt that I need to be happy happy joy joy too. We all do. It suck royal boogers that we are stuck in a body that feels so much pain. We are so use to helping everyone else we don't even think about us. I have been there many times. I had one of those days just a few days ago. Im not saying my pain is worse than yours or we have to suck it up. We can all use a day to vent. Just remember they love you. They really don't mean to make you feel bad. They are also venting about their lack of ability to help you. I have had to get my husband to take time off also to go to med appts. I don't understand why he would want youmto change the appt if your PM is going out of town, but then again I do. He wants to be there but with the way work is he can't. I'm not justifying why he said it the way he did. I'm just saying I can understand why he would prefer the following week when things are calmer and not so stressful. They may not have CRPS but they also feel the effects. Keep your chin up. We do have a tendency to let this get our heads all jumbled up and start thinking it would be better if we weren't around, but I also think we try to be the same person we were before because then we were normal and not this crud we have now.

Hey Bram, I know that I must have made you feel this way hon and I am sorry for that. I promise you that it was all in jest, really it was. I think you are a fabulous gal and I love reading what you have to say, always! I relate and identify with you often and enjoy your feedback so much! You make me laugh and I think you have wisdom. That's a beautiful combination. Again, I am so sorry if this statement was from an earlier post. If in any way I hurt your feelings, please forgive me.

Vrae, I'm never sarky about stuff like this! I certainly haven't taken anything you've said in a negative way - I was quite chuffed at your comments lol We are two birds of a feather (in a good way I hope!) you muppet x

Thanks so much! I know all of you have dealt with these feelings too. I sure don't mind feeling counseled or even preached to. I was just so upset and I knew I needed to take it down & react more like the mature woman that I am.

I want to be the person I always was, I just hate how this disease changes life. I DO KNOW from all your posts that you all truly know that feeling as well!

It might make sense to hire someone to drive you to your appointments and even run errands and help you clean a few hours a week.

Az-Di we all wish we were the same people we were. I would give my left arm to be able to go outside and run and roll around with my son. To be able to do a ton of things I used to do. I can't even walk my dog. So I get her to run around the back yard which is tiny. I have problems even driving into town some days and thats only about 2 miles off this stinky base I live on. It sucks we have to give up so much because of this (yes I am going to say it) damn disease that has attacked us. Thats what this is. Warfare. We are at war with our pain to try to have a semblance of normalcy for us. I am going to fight this war as hard as its trying to bring me down. Sorry for cursing, but some times we have to get it out. We are here for you at anytime.

Very good point, for my future appts. I am looking into that, it may get expensive but it may be worth it to save all the stress!

You can find someone to do this kind of work for $10-15 per hour. It probably is less expensive than having your hubby or son miss work. If you use an official driver it'll be more expensive. (You might want to check out if your community offers a door to door shuttle service for the disabled as well.)

I've had family help, friends help, and employed help. It can be well worth the investment to my relationships to pay for help at times. Being dependent can really effect your relationships negatively.

Oh good, good, good!