Asking for kind thoughts of health and strength for my DH

[Robindianne]

My DH has been suffering from nerve pain since January. He's had blood and urine tests, 2 CTs one with contrast and one without, and an endoscopy. He sees a dr at our university med ctr pain clinic along with a Gastro dr and his GP. They found h pylori and put him on meds, a hyatle (sp?) hernia so they put him on a pepsid med. But DRs all say none of these is causing his pain. He's on low dose time release morphine for pain, and nortryptaline for nerve damage sensations and to stimulate his appetite. He's scheduled for a rectis sheath nerve block under general anesthesia Aug 11.

He is never without pain and is getting scared that he will always be this way of what will happen if he can't work anymore. He's lost about 25 lbs as he used to be unable to eat until recently so he just had pudding, kefir, and pureed fruits with nutrition powder in it.

His skin hurts so he can only wear very lightweight nylon travel pants, no jeans anymore.

Our lives are made up of waiting for the next procedure in the hope that something new will stop the pain or diagnose what's wrong. He's scared he won't feel good before our trip "home" (and I told him I'll rent him a stroller if I have too )

He has meditation CDs from the dr and they help if he's not at work and can lay down, and if the pain hasn't gotten bad enough that he can't lay down if that makes sense. It hurts to sit or lay so he stands a lot.

If you've read this far, thank you. I just needed to put this out there because I'm scared, worried, and feeling helpless. I don't know what to do.

Robin

 

[tinx35124]

I had similar symptoms in 2009 went through tests and different meds..nothing. Finally was referred to an excellent neurologist got on neurontin and it worked. I still see her to this day. I am on 5000mg a day. Generic name is gabapentin.

I will def pray for him. Nothing can describe the pain.

 

[Robindianne]

Hi Tinx, thank you for your reply. Can I ask how you were diagnosed? None of his doctors seem to be able to determine what's wrong. DH keeps describing it as nerve pain but he's had no injuries or exposure that we know of. I think the pain clinic doctor said if the sheath nerve block works, that means it's likely the pain is nerve related, however as a dr he doesn't believe DH's pain is nerve related.

He cries sometimes. He's not a cryer but he weeps over the phone to me from work sometimes. He's out of sick days and so goes in, even though he feels he's not able to do his best. Thursday he came home teary and said he was confused (he used the word befuddled) about how to get to the bus and get on it to come home. The receptionist was going to walk him but he left before she got off. We've straightened that out as he is to call me, no matter what, and I will come and get him. Don't know why he didn't that day.

 

[quasar4legs]

I am so sorry your husband is having this constant pain, it must be distressing and worrying time for both of you.

Sending some positive thoughts your way and I hope that the doctors are able to find something so that the problem can be resolved.

Here's a very gentle hug for both of you

Quasar

 

[Nancy F]

Prayers for you both. Your love for him comes through in your words. God Bless you both.
Nancy

 

[mommasita]

I am so terribly sorry to hear of his pain. Getting an accurate diagnosis is not easy. THis I do know.

Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Robindianne]

Thank you for your replies. It really helps me to read them. I'm trying to see if DH is willing to go elsewhere for a second opinion. Maybe not start all over with tests and such but just have a consult or something. I also called the pain clinic and left a vm requesting someone else do his procedure, if necessary, so that it can be done sooner. Dr who scheduled it only does them on Thursdays; that's why it was scheduled so far out.

Anyway, thank you all for your support. It really helps me.

 

[quasar4legs]

Thank you for your replies. It really helps me to read them. I'm trying to see if DH is willing to go elsewhere for a second opinion. Maybe not start all over with tests and such but just have a consult or something. I also called the pain clinic and left a vm requesting someone else do his procedure, if necessary, so that it can be done sooner. Dr who scheduled it only does them on Thursdays; that's why it was scheduled so far out.

Anyway, thank you all for your support. It really helps me.

I agree that sometimes it can really make a difference getting a second opinion so I do hope you are able to convince your hubby to see someone else.
Hopefully you can get the scheduled procedure moved up, waiting sounds like a very painful option.

Take care
Quasar

 

[snoopybabe]

I am so sorry your DH is in so much pain. I hope they are able to move the procedure up. Both of you are in my prayers.

 

[mrsklamc]

Def. get a second opinion. I've learned through the thyroid thread- the right doc can mean all the difference in the world.