iSynthesize

I have been in the same lab with this girl for about a year and a half, and she has been my mentor so we've spent a lot of time together. I like to think of myself as her heavy lifter and extra set of hands! But I don't talk about my sex life with her (mainly because I was concerned that the CRPS would make it too painful for her to have sex and it would be a sore subject) and haven't asked about hers either. I'm a very open person(and do talk about my sex life to other friends/they talk about theirs) and if she ever brought it up I'd happily talk about it. The main reason I'm asking in this AMA is because I didn't want to cross any personal boundaries in real life.

I work with someone who also has CRPS (we are graduate students in the same lab), what would be things I could do to help her feel better? Or things I may not be aware that could potentially hurt? How do your friends and family help you?

Thank you!

Thank you! It's not something I talk about with her, but do talk about with my other friends. I was just wondering if the whole process hurt or could be enjoyable. Thank you for sharing about such a personal topic!

Thank you so much for your response! I'm slowly getting better at reading her, and it doesn't help that she's stubborn about letting me know she's in pain! But I try to be very conscious of food allergies, her lifting things more than two pounds, accidentally bumping into her, and generally asking how she's feeling if I notice she's a little extra red. I even warned my boyfriend, who is a notorious bear hugger, that a wave would do just fine. Thank you for the suggestions because while I have done some research, I could definitely do more!

Another question, though it may be inappropriate and you don't have to answer. My lab mate is married and I've yet to work up the courage to ask her if her and her husband can have any sort of sexual interactions. Perhaps you can help me?