Chronic pain can put a strain on a relationship. A partner or significant other may struggle to understand the ups and downs of pain. One day we feel fine, the next day it's difficult to move. Sometimes we don't know how to ask for help, and sometimes our loved ones don't know how to help.

On MyChronicPainTeam, the social network and online support group for those living with chronic pain, members talk about a range of personal experiences and struggles. Relationships are one of the most discussed subjects.

Here are some question-and-answer threads about relationships:

• For those who are married or in a committed relationship, how does your spouse react to your chronic pain & handle it?
• How do you deal with a healthy partner who keeps trying to fix you?
• How do you help young children understand your condition so that they understand not to be rough with you?

Here are some conversations about relationships:

• "Still no help fromhusband who thinks making a cuppa will solve everything..."
• "[My husband] started being childish saying he was to go away and leave me alone for good. I guess he doesn't understand by acting that way actually made my pain worse!"
• "My mother doesn't understand my pain. She just tells me maybe if I 'didn't sleep all day' I could sleep at night. I wish she would understand I don't sleep during the day by choice."
• "Lately my husband has been more verbally and emotionally abusive towards me because he doesn't understand that there is only so much I can do in a day."

Can you relate?

Have another topic you'd like to discuss or explore? Go to MyChronicPainTeam today and start the conversation. You'll be surprised just how many others may share similar stories.

Feel free to ask a question here.