Chronic Pain's Effect on Relationships

Losing friends because of Chronic PainI also became high maintanence. Going out now
I have lost friends this past year, and am sad to sayrequires precision planning. I went from being the one
that it seems to be something most pain survivorswho would drive when we went out, to being the
I've spoken to have encountered.person who needed to be picked up. The car couldn't
A couple of them were down to communication. Ibe parked too far away as I can't walk too far,
never told them what I needed, and they didn'tthere needs to be seats in the venue, and minimal
know what to say. I was quite surprised at thestairs.
people this happened with. I didn't expect it fromI thought I was too much trouble, and so I rejected
them at all.the invitations. Eventually the calls stopped coming.
The others were down to the fact that I couldn'tI was sad at the time, but rather than focus on
fulfil my role anymore. I was the agony aunt, anythem, I now absolutely thank God for the people I
problem small or large I was the one to talk to.have in my life right now.
Then I started actually being in agony. TheThey've seen me at my worst, and still here. It
conversations were no longer about them, it waswasn't easy though, and I'll explain in my next post
about me. They didn't like it at all. I'd try to still behow we managed it.
there and listen, but it's hard to feel sympathy forIn talking to others who are suffering, I've found
someone who is in a situation of their own making. Ithat not everyone is lucky enough to have
became quite annoyed because they were moaningsupportive people around them, and so if you have
when they had their health. They could go to work,someone in your life like that, treat them well and
and they had no limitations but the ones they put onremember to say thank you.
themselves.