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Suffer can see no future _ chronic pain

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  • 03-10-2011 12:41am
    #1
    EvaKate
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭


    Hi there

    My sister's son has been suffering with undiagnosed chronic pain for about six years now. It seems possible that there is a neurological basis for it. The family has spent a long time in denial about the issue or too upset about the issue to do anything. Support from doctors has been very mixed.

    Medication he was taking which was working for the pain has stopped working for the last year.

    Does anybody have any advice on support for the family and/or for the suffer in terms of the psychological impact. The suffer is saying that he can see no future and we are all very worried at this stage. He is over 18 and so doctor's generally say that he must come to them rather than family members. I think he is afraid that there is no solution and is resistant to any advice and to seeking psychological/other help.

    Any advice greatly appreciated.


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    #2
    skippy2
    Registered Users Posts: 393 ✭✭skippy2


    Hi Evakate
    Has he actually been to a neurologist as opposed to "doctors". Suffering from the neurological side effects of a related illness myself I think its important to follow it through. Even after being diagnosed here by my neurologist it was suggested I go abroad to get a second opinion on the condition. Neurological pain is hard to deal with and unseen by anyone except yourself. Medication may not be the answer but that is for other people to decide. I think doctors in this country are way too quick in prescribing pills for everything. he needs to be convinced (might be easier by non immediate family members such as yourself) that there is a future and that sometimes it takes longer to find the reason, many with my condition went undiagnosed for years some up to 10/15 years from what i can see, luckily i was diagnosed relatively quickly in approx 12/18 months I think also if his family do not seem to believe him or are in denial as you say this obviously makes it harder for him to deal with it. Can I ask what sort of pain symptoms is he having? If he is experiencing pain then suggesting to him that he might need psychological help might not be what he needs to hear. He needs everyone's support and belief that what he is experiencing is happening


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    #3
    EvaKate
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭EvaKate


    Hi Skippy2, thanks for your reply.

    I'll have to check exactly what specialists he has been to and get back to you. The doctors here have been unbelievably quick to say that they are not sure what can be done and send him on his way, so we will definitely go abroad also.

    The psychologist suggestion is only intended as the independent person you suggest, things get very emotional very quickly at home as we are devastated that he is in such constant pain and so upset. But he doesn't seem inclined to take over the management/ coordination of treatment as I think he is afraid nothing can be done, and doctor's won't deal with us, so it makes things slow going.

    Back pain mainly, at times also in his legs. Also problems with spasm in his eyes of varying intensity and hand cramps affecting writing.

    May I ask to what extent you have your condition under control at this stage?


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    #4
    skippy2
    Registered Users Posts: 393 ✭✭skippy2


    my present condition is long term and complicated and the neurological issues i have are a side effect of another condition

    has he seen a physio? as i had back problems for a number of years, very slow to sort out but possibly with exercises could be helped I was eventually given a simple exercise that any time i get a reoccurence I do religiously for a couple of days and it sorts it out.
    He does need to try different avenues. It sounds like a physio might be able to offer some help and is well worth a try.

    i think there are limits on this board as to what one can suggest and i am only a lay person giving you some help/suggestions from my dealings with pain issues. Back pain can be a real crippler and can take time and exercise.
    I would try to stay off meds and sort out the actual issue as I found i was being offered meds - anti inflammatories - which only relieved the pain but did not sort the problem but actually hid it and can cause bigger issues
    He does need to persevere as i understand how this can take over your life


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