Good communication is vital for any marriage to succeed. When one partner is dealing with a chronic illness, communication becomes even more important. Although it may seem hard to talk about pain or limitations, your spouse needs to understand what you're going through. If they don't, it could strain the relationship in a number of ways. For example, your partner might not be sympathetic to your needs and leave you feeling isolated. Or if you regularly decline activities they enjoy, they may think you're not valuing their interests. Telling your partner how your arthritis pain affects you will help prevent misunderstandings and keep both of you closer as a couple. It also allows your spouse to be there to support you when you're struggling.

There are many different ways to make a marriage work as you deal with chronic illness. To begin with, it may help to bring your spouse with you sometimes when you visit the doctor, so he or she can get a better understanding of how your arthritis affects you. Also, find ways to keep your sex life active. That may include focusing on positions that don't put pressure on any sore joints, and, as the Arthritis Foundation recommends, scheduling sex so that you can take pain medication beforehand and conserve your energy. Don't let intimacy fall to the wayside. Sex is an important part of marriage, and working together to overcome the ways your arthritis affects it can help you keep the spark alive.

Finally, it's good for both partners to feel they are getting support from their companion. It may be easy for your partner to feel like they constantly have to take care of you. Not only could this put a strain on them physically, they might also struggle with resentment or other difficult feelings. Find ways that you can both help each other. Express appreciation, and accept each other’s limits on how much you can do.

To learn more about arthritis and relationships:

Arthritis and Communication: How to Communicate Your Needs
Stop Arthritis From Killing Your Relationship
Recognizing and Dealing with Toxic People in Your Life