Family issues

[Dloshaw]

Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with family members who just don't understand how horrible this condition is?  My sister and I live together, and she tends to get frustrated with me for a lot of things like my memory problems, how easily I fatigue, that I make time for yoga and walking but I can't do a lot of chores. I keep fit and go to yoga a lot, or my pain becomes absolutely unbearable. I won't live with that pain. Any suggestions?

[selmaS]

  Hi...I would ask her to join us all here to see that you are not alone in how you feel and deal with this condition....many family and friends have joined up here bcuz they do not understand this condition and there are many Drs that do not understand how it can and does affect us so we can not expect family to...but to educate them by letting them see just how many are feeling just as you are can be very helpful.

[Elisaandbucky]

Hello. I am sorry to hear that you are having difficulties with your family understanding your condition. I experienced the same thing. There are some very educational videos that were made by the surgeon who did my decompression. Maybe you can show them to your sister. Here is the address to access them:

http://www.chiarinsc.com/education/php

Let me know if this is of any help to you. My thoughts are with you.

[Lottida]

Maybe agree to do chores that you think you can tolerate, then go to yoga to help with the pain.  I can understand where your sister is coming from due to my husband has had this condition since 1997.  He would complain about the pain & fatigue all of the time & I would get so frustrated!!!  Well now I have been diagnosed since Feb '15 with it as well.......I know crazy right!!  Please let your sister know that I apologize to my husband every day for being so frustrated & disbelieving of him over the years.  Its hard to understand until you go through it yourself.  The only way I can explain it is like...... you got in a car accident and your body aches/hurts all over in random places daily & your head/neck feels like you have whiplash constantly.  The headaches are awful!!  I will pray that you & your sister can find an appropriate solution that works for both of you!!