Chronic pain from diabetic peripheral neuropathy can lead to emotional ups and downs. You might encounter fear, anger, denial, disappointment, guilt, or even loneliness. But you should feel hope and optimism as well. Whilst living with chronic pain is not easy, the proper treatment can provide you significant relief.
"Chronic pain does take an emotional toll," claims Christopher Gibbons, MD, director of the Neuropathy Clinic at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston and instructor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. "Family members and relatives may be supportive, but someone in chronic pain is usually extremely difficult to live with. Obviously, they are upset, angry, hurt. Chronic pain makes things worse for everyone under the same roof."
However, once people receive treatment for their pain, things at home will most probably become easier.
"Sometimes, simply breaking the cycle of pain can improve quality of life," Gibbons states. "It can make the whole family much happier. By improving their pain, we get people back to their normal functioning - back to their lives."
He claims that antidepressant medications can pull double duty, alleviating a patient’s depression and their pain. Make sure to consult your diabetes physician first. While many antidepressant drugs are helpful, some of them may result in weight gain and worsening diabetes control.
Psychotherapy may also be helpful, if depression has been a problem. Consulting a proper therapist will help identify problems or events in your life that have contributed to depression. This can help you solve several problems and get back a sense of control over your life. You can start enjoying life more.
Here are some more possibilities of coping with emotions:
* Learn to relax. Try deep breathing and other techniques of relaxation.
* Set goals that are possible to achieve. Never try to overdo on good days. Learn to pace yourself.
* Don’t put yourself down. Try to think positively.
* Make time for de-stressing. You have to exercise and relax every day.
* Join a chronic pain support group. Sharing your feelings with others frequently helps.
* Don’t drink alcohol excessively. Pain often disrupts sleep. So does alcohol.
* Give up smoking. Studies prove that smokers are at greater risk of pain in general. Moreover, smoking worsens peripheral neuropathy.
Find a Support Group
Both the American Pain Society and National Pain Foundation provide local support groups in many communities. "The shared experience can make coping with pain easier," claims Gibbons. "You can learn from other patients’ experiences - what tricks have helped them with discomfort, like wearing socks to bed can help with pain. You can find out what medicines other people have tried."
Stay Close to Your Beloved Person
Chronic pain can result in worsening intimate relationships. It may happen that you have fears about sexuality - fear of being rejected, fear of pain from sex. Diabetic neuropathy can affect sexual function as well, therefore you may fear that you will not be able to perform. But it’s relevant that you stay close to your partner. A healthy, intimate relationship will have a positive influence on every aspect of your life.
Find time for intimacy. You can have a long, satisfying relationship in spite of chronic pain. The initial step in developing an intimate relationship is honest and sincere communication. Make time to be alone together. Discuss your feelings. Talk about what is good, and about your needs and expectations. Take a bath together, go for a walk and talk, just hold each other in bed. If you still experience sexual problems, see a healthcare provider or sex therapist.
Furthermore, pursue other common hobbies. Interests and volunteer activities can help you feel closer when you do them together. Remain open to new activities that you can share.
