Pain Times Two: Family Life When Both Parents Have Chronic Pain
By Kristen Counts
When one member of a family experiences chronic pain, the entire family is affected. In my family, two people are coping with pain on a daily basis—my husband and myself.

I do not know any other young families where both adults have chronic pain. However, I know that we must not be alone in this. My husband works many hours at his job. I have my part-time freelance writing and oversee most of our daughter’s care. It is probably the fatigue that is the most challenging. Finances can be a bit challenging as well.
Really, I think that we are struggling with
issues that many other families struggle with. However, I think that there are
a few notable differences.
We have been married for 16 years, so I think it is safe to say that we are coping and finding our way. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at the age of 27. The American College of Rheumatology offers this brief definition of fibromyalgia: “Fibromyalgia is a common health problem that causes widespread pain and tenderness (sensitive to touch). The pain and tenderness tend to come and go, and move about the body. Most often, people with this chronic (long-term) illness are fatigued (very tired) and have sleep problems.” My husband’s final diagnosis came a few years later. His was rather non-specific, as he was diagnosed with chronic pain. Most of his pain is in the back and neck. His pain causes him to become fatigued as well.
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