Gransnet forums

Health

DH in such pain!

(92 Posts)
Synonymous Thu 02-Nov-17 00:46:01

I am just having a whinge, I know nobody can do anything so do forgive me but I need someone to talk to. Somebody may remember that my DH was involved in a road crash at the beginning of this year and was horribly injured.
Just helped DH into bed a couple of hours ago, dosed him up with painkillers and left him to hopefully fall asleep but no joy so far. In years gone by he would probably have had his leg taken off as a matter of course but they have done so much work on him to save it and it seemed to be coming on really well. He can no longer even put his foot to the floor and has been in such pain for the last couple of days that he is now saying that he wished they had taken off his leg and I am at my wits end trying to help him. His leg is twitching so much with the pain even when in his sleep. X-rays show that there is still not much healing going on in there and the surgeon says another 6 - 9 months before the bones will be healed. All the other injuries have healed fairly well but this was the worst and the surgeon did say that this particular one is the worst it gets so I suppose it is no surprise that the pain is so bad. I suppose it is just the feeling of utter helplessness in the face of a loved one's pain and trying to remain calm and encouraging at the same time as being helpful. But I don't seem to be able to help him. He is on very strong painkillers so doubt if there is anything else that he could be given. He does not want to go back into hospital as he says he can't sleep at all in there, won't let me call a doctor. I suppose there must come a time when painkillers become less effective. I think that might be preferable to him perhaps having damaged it in some way by putting too much weight on it. He was told to try and come off the crutches and you do hope that you are doing the right thing but it is just not possible to really know.
I know, I am just sounding off - and you don't know any more than I do!! I suppose I am just tired and a bit weary with it all. It has been a very long year. If this carries on much longer I think I must just do what I feel needs doing and get some help in. Don't even know if I should post this as it seems very self indulgent. hmm

fiorentina51 Thu 02-Nov-17 01:20:21

You carry on posting and let rip! Hope the painkillers have kicked in and you both get some sleep. ?

Synonymous Thu 02-Nov-17 01:51:30

Not yet! sad

MontanaGal Thu 02-Nov-17 02:16:32

Synonymous, I am so sorry that your DH is in such pain. It must be almost unbearable for him - and for you also. My DH went through a somewhat different situation ( surgery on his hand, with complications). He was in debilating pain for months. Pain pills wouldn't help and he couldn't sleep.

I feel for you both, and know how awful it is to keep trying to think of ways to bring comfort, when nothing seems to help. Do you have any sort of visiting nurse program that would be able to assist you?
Do try to take care of yourself too and know that you are doing your best for him.
I will be thinking of you both and hoping that you are both doing better soon.
Hugs, MG

Synonymous Thu 02-Nov-17 03:07:47

I have had to resort to the out of hours service but it was with DH's consent fortunately. We are just waiting for a doctor to call and hopefully bring something morphine based which will give a rapid result.

Synonymous Thu 02-Nov-17 03:12:58

MontanaGal Thank you . Sorry that you have been through the same sort of thing too, miserable isn't it!? Hope all is healed now. Are you in Montana?

annsixty Thu 02-Nov-17 03:51:38

How helpless you must feel, I hope the Dr has been now and given something to help.
Lack of sleep must make the situation so much worse.

BlueBelle Thu 02-Nov-17 05:03:46

All I wanted to say was please keep posting if it helps Its worse watching someone you love in pain than being in pain yourself
By now I hope they gave him something and you ve both had some sleep but that’s not the long term solution of course
I send you both love and good wishes

loopyloo Thu 02-Nov-17 06:47:28

Dear Synonymous, I am wondering if this is a dvt in his leg. If you don't get any help from the on call doctor I think he should be seen at A/E . That's what I would be doing with my DH.
I hope he feels better soon.

Jane10 Thu 02-Nov-17 06:50:42

Oh you poor thing and your poor DH. Maybe the fact that you had to call an out of hours doctor will really flag up the problem you are both having. There must be better ways of dealing with such awful pain these days. I really hope there is and that you can be offered more help and support urgently.
Best wishes to you both. flowers

Willow500 Thu 02-Nov-17 07:05:03

How dreadful for you and your husband - I hope the doctor prescribed something strong enough to ease the pain and you're both now managing to get some sleep. flowers

MesMopTop Thu 02-Nov-17 07:20:29

So sorry your poor DH is in such dreadful pain. Nobody should have to suffer like that. Can you ask GP to refer him to s pain clinic or to get GP to prescribe medication to control the pain? One thing I have learned over time is that it's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil! I would keep on at DH's docs to give him adequate pain relief (whether DH wants you to or not! ). Hope he does get relief and soon ? for you

Marydoll Thu 02-Nov-17 07:46:39

Synonymous I hope by now your husband has had some relief.
If your husband has not been referred to a pain clinic, please ask for a referral.
I fractured 2 vertebrae 9 yrs ago and went to work for months not realising what I had done. As I had no treatment initially, I did a lot of damage The pain eventually became so bad and unmanageable, that I was referred to a pain clinic. It made such a difference. I still have a lot of pain, but it is bearable and I got my life back.
Everyone's case is different, but please ask for help.
You have to think of your own health too. Take care of yourself.

cornergran Thu 02-Nov-17 07:57:06

A dreadful situation for you both synonymous, your post is far from self indulgent, please don’t worry, this is a good place to let off steam. I hope you have had appropriate help in the night. Totally agree with marydoll, a pain clinic is a very good option. There is understanding of the debilitating nature of chronic pain and also expertise with pain relief. Your GP can refer. Please let us know how you both are.

Greyduster Thu 02-Nov-17 08:10:46

Hope your DH gets some help today, synonymous; nothing more debilitating than constant pain. ??

Welshwife Thu 02-Nov-17 09:15:52

Synonymous you say he can no longer put his food to the ground - has he been able to do it since the accident? If so that is a retrograde step and should be investigated.
I hope you did both get some sleep last night after the visit of a doctor.

morethan2 Thu 02-Nov-17 10:02:28

I hope by now things have improved for your husband. I just want to say please never feel that it’s self indulgent to talk or post as you have. It’s such a help to get things off our chest. Hope today is a better day and your husband gets the medical help he and you so desperately need.

Luckygirl Thu 02-Nov-17 10:12:51

Not self indulgent indeed. There is nothing worse than watching a loved one suffer and being powerless to do anything.

I hope that the doc has been able to sort something out. I agree that if things have gone backwards he needs seeing again; and that there will be a pain team at the hospital who should be involved. Round here the expertise of the hospice is sometimes called upon - you do not have to be terminally ill to tap into this.

I share your frustration. OH has PD and he has been sobbing his heart out this morning over various things (incontinence, inability to move in bed) and I can do nothing except hug him. I have no magic wand.

But I do think that there is something to be done for your OH's pain - relief is possible. Poor chap - being in pain is utter misery.

Keep on posting!

starbird Thu 02-Nov-17 12:56:35

If this is a retrograde situation it definitely needs investigating whether DH likes it or not. Perhaps an x ray is needed to check nothing has gone wrong. You may also need medical help for the muscle spasms in the leg.

Once checked out, a pain clinic sounds like a good idea.

Also, to help speed up healing, magnetic therapy may help but it has a mixed press. Maybe also infra red treatment, the pain clinic might arrange that. I would think he needs to move the leg as much as possible, even while lying down, so that the blood will circulate. Perhaps a light massage with Aloe Vera would help? It must be hard for you both, keep asking questions and being a nuisance until you get some help.
How long has he been home? He must be very bored and you are unerstandably worn out. Can he sit in a chair and play cards or chess etc? Does he have friends that come and play games with him, or warch tv and have a beer? Have you got a wheelchair in which he can sit with his leg out if necessary so that he can be pushed out for a change of scene or to a pub? There are organisations that can help. Don't be afraid to ask, you need to stay well and strong in order to look after your DH and he needs to understand this.

humptydumpty Thu 02-Nov-17 13:16:21

Synonymous I notice you said that he can't bear to put his foot on the floor, although he has been advised to try and come off the crutches.

As others have pointed out, this does suggest that he is getting worse rather than better, and it's really important he see someone about that.

Having been injured in an accident last year, I had followup appointments at the local trauma outpatient clinic, and was also under the care of the polytrauma team as I had a selection of injuries. It sounds as if your DH is in the same situation, so he really needs - whether he wants to or not - go down one of those 2 routes. Would he be more susceptible to the idea of an outpatient visit?

grannyactivist Thu 02-Nov-17 13:28:39

Synonymous I am so glad that you did post on here. It's a great place just to be listened to and as you can see, people do want to offer support. I'm sorry for the situation you and your husband are in and hope that there is an improvement soon. flowers

grannysyb Thu 02-Nov-17 15:08:13

In 2012 my DH was in terrible pain while he was waiting for an operation on his spine. He couldn't lie down and was sleeping in an armchair. After one dreadful weekend I went to see his GP and asked for help. I walked out with a script for morphine. He didn't know I was going to see the Dr. Have a word with your husband's Dr and see what he suggests. Hope things improve soon.

Synonymous Thu 02-Nov-17 15:22:07

How lovely you all are and I feel truly blessed by all the responses, thank you!
Dr came out eventually at 4 am but he was very good and gave DH an injection of morphine. He said to ring our GP which I have done and after a tussle with the receptionist the duty Dr rang and has arranged additional pain relief. Have texted friend to collect prescriptions and get them made up. Hope he can do it as I don't want to leave DH. GP wants to see DH tomorrow morning to check everything out so I hope I can get him there. I have decreed bed rest for today and so far he is complying! Don't know whether I should be pleased or worried but I am certainly amazed! grin
We are back to 'latrine duty' with bottles etc which does not do much for DH's morale but it saves a lot of washing.
DH was in three different hospitals for weeks and then in wheelchair for 3 months but I couldn't push him as I have had a stroke and also ME/CFS or Fibromyalgia - they can't decide which but the effect is the same. So it is back to cabin fever for a while as we had to return the wheelchair and I couldn't manage to get him out or back indoors anyway. DH had multiple fractures and injuries so it has been very difficult but most are fairly well healed now except the ankle/leg. DH was my carer. It is very hard at the moment but at least we still have each other!
DH is still under the care of the Orthopaedics at the local hospital but they are very short staffed so the appointments don't come as they should. I do take the point ref the squeeky wheel! DH is a stoic but I tell him that is not helping really and he is actually fighting for his future - and mine!
Providentially I am expecting my 'little sis' to come for a few days which is a real blessing. Everyone in the family is so far away but they care very much and do keep in contact. They are fully committed work-wise so I doubt they will be able to come and I will not ask for that reason.
I am glad I posted as you have all helped me - albeit made me cry! But that was good too as it popped the tension. smile

fiorentina51 Thu 02-Nov-17 15:42:53

Can't be of any practical help but here are some flowers, wine and a virtual hug! ??
P.S. Don't neglect yourself and give your nearest and dearest a bit of a nudge. Somebody might be able to spare a few hours, just to give you a break. ?

POGS Thu 02-Nov-17 16:28:11

That's better news Synonymous.

It's no joke suffering from a continual nagging pain nor sleep depravation is it. flowers