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Don't know what to make of DH's lack of concern

105 replies

Boots4me · 01/12/2024 17:05

I have been feeling ill since Friday: sense of doom, feeling sick, and stomach pains. I have a range of pre-existing health conditions, and I often feel unwell.

DH isn't too concerned, he keeps saying "it's probably a virus, you'll be fine."

He then suggested going to A&E which I didn't want to and I'm sure he said that to shut me up.

But I feel so upset and angry at his indifference. He keeps either downplaying my concerns or telling me that there is nothing he can do. I've just ignored him for now am not responding to him

I just wanted him to listen to me.

OP posts:
StormingNorman · 01/12/2024 18:47

Boots4me · 01/12/2024 18:30

It's been going on for years. A whole cast of health problems. I am in my mid 30s and I am so stressed out by these problems. I feel exhausted and do talk about them with my husband because I don't have anyone else to discuss these m with.

So it’s not just 10 minutes is is. Listen to everyone telling you about compassion fatigue.

There is a chronic illness board here you can use, there will be Facebook groups dedicated to your conditions. Use them.

Your husband cannot be your everything. He is all out of comfort and compassion. You’ve used it all up.

Whaleandsnail6 · 01/12/2024 18:47

TomatoSandwiches · 01/12/2024 18:39

Isn't he having to take on some things you can't do because of your health issues?
That's exhausting enough and to have to baby you emotionally every day is a lot to take on.
It's unfair to use your spouse as the only emotional crutch, you really need to get your GP to help resolve these issues AND seek some talking therapy or something, a counsellor or group that shares your issues so you can take a bit of control back and start improving or at least take some of the load off your husband.

I agree with this. You need to find another outlet and support network rather than relying on one person.

Ask your gp or have a google if there is any support groups for your conditions, even if they are online forums.

And also look into talking therapies.

HalfALoafIsBetterThanNoBread · 01/12/2024 18:46

Sushicucumbersalad · 01/12/2024 17:30

Sense of doom is often associated with sepsis.

And with heart attack, and with anaphylaxis, though the latter doesn't sound likely.

Lentilweaver · 01/12/2024 18:43

You definitely need a therapist or a counsellor.

Createausername1970 · 01/12/2024 18:42

Boots4me · 01/12/2024 18:30

It's been going on for years. A whole cast of health problems. I am in my mid 30s and I am so stressed out by these problems. I feel exhausted and do talk about them with my husband because I don't have anyone else to discuss these m with.

Then you need to find a therapist or counsellor or someone else to talk to. It's unfair on your husband to pile it all on him and expect him to do performance sympathy at your behest.

FoxtonFoxton · 01/12/2024 18:41

Boots4me · 01/12/2024 18:30

It's been going on for years. A whole cast of health problems. I am in my mid 30s and I am so stressed out by these problems. I feel exhausted and do talk about them with my husband because I don't have anyone else to discuss these m with.

I'm sorry OP, that's shit and must be really stressful.
I honestly don't think it's not caring about you, like others have mentioned, it's compassion fatigue. It can be exhausting dealing with a partners physical or mental health problems (and I speak as the wife of a man who had to deal with my severe depression for years) and sometimes you just can't talk about it anymore.

Lentilweaver · 01/12/2024 18:40

I am afraid I wouldnt be able to sit around and listen to health problems that had gone on for years. He has compassion fatigue

TomatoSandwiches · 01/12/2024 18:39

Boots4me · 01/12/2024 18:30

It's been going on for years. A whole cast of health problems. I am in my mid 30s and I am so stressed out by these problems. I feel exhausted and do talk about them with my husband because I don't have anyone else to discuss these m with.

Isn't he having to take on some things you can't do because of your health issues?
That's exhausting enough and to have to baby you emotionally every day is a lot to take on.
It's unfair to use your spouse as the only emotional crutch, you really need to get your GP to help resolve these issues AND seek some talking therapy or something, a counsellor or group that shares your issues so you can take a bit of control back and start improving or at least take some of the load off your husband.

WhereIsBebèsChambre · 01/12/2024 18:36

Boots4me · 01/12/2024 18:30

It's been going on for years. A whole cast of health problems. I am in my mid 30s and I am so stressed out by these problems. I feel exhausted and do talk about them with my husband because I don't have anyone else to discuss these m with.

How much of your life centres on this?

ginasevern · 01/12/2024 18:35

Boots4me · 01/12/2024 18:30

It's been going on for years. A whole cast of health problems. I am in my mid 30s and I am so stressed out by these problems. I feel exhausted and do talk about them with my husband because I don't have anyone else to discuss these m with.

Yes, but what is your GP saying/doing about it? I presume you have sought professional help and you aren't self diagnosing?

Sparkletastic · 01/12/2024 18:32

Are you anxious about your health OP?

Boots4me · 01/12/2024 18:30

ginasevern · 01/12/2024 18:24

As you have a range of pre-existing health conditions, I assume these are monitored through your GP and you have received proper diagnoses and treatments/medication? How long has this been going on? It's very hard to live with someone who is unwell for years, especially if neither of you are elderly.

It's been going on for years. A whole cast of health problems. I am in my mid 30s and I am so stressed out by these problems. I feel exhausted and do talk about them with my husband because I don't have anyone else to discuss these m with.

OP posts:
WhereIsBebèsChambre · 01/12/2024 18:28

Boots4me · 01/12/2024 18:18

This -100%.
I couldn't have said it better: show me you care. It is hard to sit next to your wife for 10 minutes and comfort her.

Well it's clearly not 10 mins and done,. Seems it's a totally encompassing, all that matters, nothing else is important as you central life focus!

Createausername1970 · 01/12/2024 18:26

blackcatsarethebestcats · 01/12/2024 18:19

So you’re going to ignore all of the responses making valid points and just keep banging this drum?

Exactly.

Sums it up really.

ginasevern · 01/12/2024 18:24

As you have a range of pre-existing health conditions, I assume these are monitored through your GP and you have received proper diagnoses and treatments/medication? How long has this been going on? It's very hard to live with someone who is unwell for years, especially if neither of you are elderly.

purplevipersgrass · 01/12/2024 18:23

OP, you sound rather like a member of my family who wants to talk constantly about her heath issues and her feelings, and expects us to listen but never to offer a suggestion about how to improve matters because she says that would be rescuing. She just wants us to listen.

That's asking a lot, particularly if listening to you means listening to hours of complaining and moaning while you do nothing to remedy the situation. Our partners and families aren't there just to listen. We have to take responsibility for ourselves. Find yourself a therapist. Therapists listen for £50+ an hour.

UpUpUpU · 01/12/2024 18:20

What are your health problems OP? That will have a big impact on what is and isn’t considered moaning

blackcatsarethebestcats · 01/12/2024 18:19

Boots4me · 01/12/2024 18:18

This -100%.
I couldn't have said it better: show me you care. It is hard to sit next to your wife for 10 minutes and comfort her.

So you’re going to ignore all of the responses making valid points and just keep banging this drum?

needhelpwiththisplease · 01/12/2024 18:19

He mentally can't listen about your health problems anymore.
He has offered to take you to A&E.
you declined that offer.

Boots4me · 01/12/2024 18:18

Carouselfish · 01/12/2024 17:56

Sometimes you just want empathy and kindness, not a solution. Some people, male and female, don't understand this. So you need to be blunt and say - I don't want you to solve it, I just want you to say - I'm sorry you feel rubbish, would you like me to run you a bath/go to the shops for comforting things/ cuddle up and watch a film/ make you a hot water bottle etc etc whatever makes you feel cared for.

This -100%.
I couldn't have said it better: show me you care. It is hard to sit next to your wife for 10 minutes and comfort her.

OP posts:
Borninabarn32 · 01/12/2024 18:16

You're better off ringing 111. He doesn't know anything and can't do anything. If you're often ill and "he keeps saying" then I'd say he's sick of you going on and on about feeling like shit when there's nothing he can do about it. The "I'm not talking to him" aswell would suggest you're quite emotionally draining, you can't just dump all your shit feelings on him and expect him to constantly give you support and empathy. He has his own needs and emotions.

Mickey79 · 01/12/2024 18:14

I agree with others re: compassion fatigue. Being honest, how many times in the average week do you talk to your dh about feeling unwell or your various illnesses? There’s only so much listening and supporting that someone can do.

housemaus · 01/12/2024 18:14

FWIW if I kept saying I was ill then DH would tell me to go the walk-in/A&E/whatever too. That does show concern, if you ask me - you're complaining you're not well, he's told you to see a doctor. You said no - I'm not sure what else you want him to do. That's the natural progression of that conversation - there IS nothing he can do, if you're concerned you need to see a doctor and if it's just a virus then you just need to ride it out.

pictoosh · 01/12/2024 18:12

General observation here (not aimed at the OP) - I think some people who talk about their health concerns a lot don't realise how often they do it or how central it is to their conversation.

I remember a woman at my workplace - she was a nice woman but I had to avoid her at break times or spend my entire break listening to her talk about illness. Always something wrong from a chronic illness flare up to a banging head or her back was killing her.
I would always suggest she was too afflicted to be at work. "Should you be here feeling so awful?"
Was never bad enough to be off...just bad enough to totally monopolise my short break over.
Sorry but ugh. She seemed very self-unaware.

WhereIsBebèsChambre · 01/12/2024 18:11

Whaleandsnail6 · 01/12/2024 18:07

Look at this from your husband's point of view...you have been complaining you feel ill but are unhappy with reassurance that it could be a virus and are unhappy with suggestion you seek further medical help.

Sounds like he cant really win and you sulking now is only going to make you feel worse.

What do you want op?? Don't want be told its a standard virus..... Don't want to go to ED..(possibly because you'll be told is nothing unusual) would it be best if someone validated your need, 'gosh yes. No one has it as bad as you, you are the special one'?

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