i hate feeling so helpless when people i love are in pain

[fizzgig]

two of my best friends suffer from chronic pain and i just spend 3 1/2 hours in the er with one of them. it just breaks my heart that i can't do anything for their pain or the physical, emotional and financial stress it puts on them.

i do everything i can for them and am as available as possible for them but, even though i know i can't make them better, i always feel like i'm not doing enough for them :(

[hippywife]

1. You have to trust that what you are able

to do for them eases their burden greatly, sweetie. Imagine how much more awful it would be to be in that much pain and not have anyone there for you. :hug:

But I do know that I'd rather take on the pain myself than watch someone I love endure it.

[fizzgig]

3. i'm a fixer by nature

and can lose sight of the fact that just being there can mean the world to someone. thank you for the perspective check :hug:

[hippywife]

5. Yeah, I am, too.

I want everyone to be happy and have everything they need. Just got to stop at times and remember that is not within our power. :hug:

[marzipanni]

2. Too bad you can't include marijuana in the arsenal of pain reduction options

The leniency in the marijuana law in California may affect expansion of its use elsewhere eventually, but meanwhile people suffer.
http://www.latimes.com/features/printedition/health/la-he-marijuanapro18-2008aug18,0,3980553.story

I'm sure your caring alleviates some of the mental anguish, even if you can't help them with their physical pain. :hug:

[fizzgig]

4. we have mm here in colorado

and i'm starting to talk with one of them about that as a treatment option, but i think part of both their frustration is that they feel let down by our health care system.

[JitterbugPerfume]

6. support is all we can offer to

people in pain . My daughter is an addict . It breaks my heart every day but I know that neither I , nor her beautiful children can help her . All we (or you) can do is love the ones we love.


Medical Marijuana is a blessing, and so are you.

[Odin2005]

7. I've been going through the same thing for the past 3 months. Emotional, not physical, though.

Being there for a friend who is a victim of rape. It hurts not being able to reach into her head and yank out all the PTSD-causing painful memories. :cry:

[ThomCat]

8. I can tell you that just understanding what they're going through

and being there for them despite the inconveniences and negativity of the situation means a whole lot.

It's very hard to find people who are willing to stick around people who are visibly in pain. Pain freaks people out. You're a damned good friend.

:hug: