By Barby Ingle, Columnist

Chronic pain can be a lifelong situation that has a significant impact not only on the patient, but on family and friends as well. The condition may affect every aspect of the patient's life in varying degrees, including professional, social, and daily living activities. Everyone may have to make adjustments.

After health, patients are usually hit hardest by the financial aspects of the chronic disorder. Frequently, a leave of absence or early retirement from work is needed due to the inability to perform work-related tasks. Financial difficulties are acerbated by frequent visits to healthcare providers, medical-related expenses and unemployment.

To help reduce stress for everyone, it may be smart for the patient and their family to meet with a financial planner or insurance agent and devise a budget for future expenses.

With less money and mobility, there’s a tendency to give up favorite activities like hiking, sports, traveling, and participating in family events. Exercise becomes more difficult and everyday activities such as driving and shopping may need to be modified or given up.

Despite a wide range of treatment options available, a patient with chronic pain may not seek help and dismiss efforts by others.

Some reasons for this include fears of:

• Addiction to medications
• Lack of insurance coverage
• Not understanding insurance coverage
• Belief that nothing can help them
• Recurring pain will be worse
• Being seen as a "complainer"
• Side effects from treatments
• Tolerance to medications

It is important to discuss these concerns with family members, friends, physicians, or support service professionals (psychologist, social worker, etc.) in order to take advantage of options that are available and may actually lead to pain relief and improvement in the overall quality of life.

Planning is a key component to keeping stress levels down and a great way for family and friends to learn how they can help. Having the patient map out a plan of action for daily routines and responsibilities allows everyone to know when and where their help is needed and minimizes unexpected mishaps. Responsibilities that may need to be addressed include carpools, housework, cooking, holiday activities, laundry, leisure activities, jobs, pet care, planning meals, self-care, and shopping.

Pain patients should be encouraged to stay active, join a support group or seek psychological counseling if appropriate. Some patients find benefit in getting involved in volunteer work, which allows them to set their own hours and to feel they can contribute to others instead of just focusing on their own condition. Patients also be able counsel others with chronic pain.

Caregivers and friends can encourage the patient to do well and get treatments they are comfortable with. Find the balance between encouragement and pressure so the patient knows you love them and that no matter what they choose you will accept it.                                             

It can be difficult (or impossible) to imagine that someone can be in constant severe pain.  It's normal if you have not lived through it yourself. For a caregiver, it may be hard to stand by and accept that your loved one’s pain cannot be fixed or cured (although it may be eased). 

It may also be hard to accept that you cannot make it better. If you are in a close relationship with someone in chronic pain, you are likely to develop a variety of negative feelings like anger or resentment. This is a normal part of the process for both you and the loved one in pain. You are both victims of the pain problem.

Learn how to set the expectation as soon as you can as to what your needs are as a patient or caregiver, what progression the chronic illness is expected to take, what treatment options are available, and the best ways to communicate with each other what will make life easier for the patient, family and caregivers.

Turning to family and friends as caregivers and support outlets is important for everyone to have better daily living.

Barby Ingle suffers from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and endometriosis. She is a chronic pain educator, patient advocate, motivational speaker, best-selling author, and president of the Power of Pain Foundation.

More information about Barby can be found by clicking here.

The information in this column should not be considered as professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is for informational purposes only and represents the author’s opinions alone. It does not inherently express or reflect the views, opinions and/or positions of Pain News Network.