How often do you discuss health issues with friends?
What kinds of help and support would be most meaningful to you?
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How often do you talk to friends or family a... - Stand Up 2 OA
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How often do you talk to friends or family about your knee pain or general health?
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CalvinHU
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Oh, even with friends, I talk about my health issues only if I know the friend really cares and wants to know - and not everybody wants to hear a litany of those issues! Its a real pity that my friends are scattered about the country, and the world! I have no one nearby that I could call a friend - although there are well-meaning neighbours and acquaintances of course. Given the situation, the kinds of help I really would appreciate are a) someone to go with me to the hospital, just for company and reassurance b) A friend who would call me up, listen to me and give me caring suggestions (the medical ones I know) and c) A friend to visit me on one of those bad days I have to put up with now and again.
Not too much. My parents have a enough to deal with with their own health issues.
Hi Calvin, I tell my daughters if I am worried about anything but I don't go into detail unless they need to know. I do not like to worry them. I still have my husband and he is a great support. I could not wish for a better carer. Maximonkey
I talk to my husband about the pain and other issues but I don't discuss my health problems with anyone outside of the family. I already feel like a burden so I have to be coaxed to leave home on the rare day I feel up to going out
I normally talk to my wife if I am in pain, but she can tell by the way I walk anyway. As for my knees I have given up with the GP, as far as I can see if you look OK you are OK is the GP's attitude. At the moment my concerns are with my wife who has spent much of the summer in hospitals due to a blood cancer and other complications.
My hubby hears all my concerns. Kids and my closest friend are aware my knee sometimes limits my choices on activities but I try not to complain to them but focus on the positive, Ie riding my exercise bike longer, or walking further than before. I have a church friend who keeps getting more obese and refuses to do any self help things for her knee. She has had knee replacements and is less mobile, sits and watches tv all day. She complains alot and its frustrating to me as I cannot convince her to try. She is my role model of who not to become.
I just have my daughter, and she is likely an expert on the subject by now 
At my age I discuss health issues with friends every time we meet - both my health issues and theirs! I am a prostate cancer survivor and go to a cancer support group every week - which is absolutely brilliant. Support from people who are actually going through or have been through what you are going through is the best you can get - whether it is on line or by joining a group.
I try not to bring it up. My friends have noticed and commented when I am not wearing my knee brace. It's good to know that others are concerned about my health.
At the moment I am trying not to think about it. I don’t like talking about it as it gets me down.
My family aren’t emotionally supportive but I have one friend who understands. I can talk to her but at the moment I am trying to distract myself from it all.
Face to face support groups would be helpful for me.
Only one friend really understands the pain and fatigue that goes with fibromyalgia. Her daughter has CFS and she’s had a knee replacement so understands from experience. Other friends and family, I don’t mention it unless I really have to. Even my daughter doesn’t get it. When I mentioned the other day how tired I was and every muscle and joint hurt she asked if I had a virus.
I discuss my health problems regularly with friends and family. I was ill with RA and Lupus before my children were born so they grew up with my health problems. Days/weeks of disease flare ups when I couldn’t get out of bed, talking about what was happening g was essential to our situation. They grew up learning to do things for themselves earlier than their peers and I taught them not to worry about me when I was poorly.
Communication is a great tool!
My husband rarely offers sympathy but offers practical solutions, my daughter offers sympathy and my son sticks his head in the sand and pretends I’m ok! My best friend of over 50 years offers both, I can depend on her to listen any time I feel the need to have a good old moan about my health problems.
I am a member of a Facebook group for chronic pain sufferers and they have a monthly meeting which I find really beneficial. Meeting and talking to people who are in the same situation as me really helps, we have guest speakers and lobby local MPs and councillors but the best bit for me is having a coffee and a chat with people who can empathise and not just sympathise.
I do talk to friends and family, my problems are small compared with others in this forum. I have to be careful not to get cold and I am aware and a bit embarrassed at being a bit of a whimp.
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