Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel his tablets are ruining us

100 replies

Toomanybiccys123 · 28/12/2021 20:14

My boyfriends in agony with chronic back pain. When we got together he just carried on. He was working. Walking loads with me. We were having regular sex. Then 2 months ago a nerve I presume has trapped. His muscles are swollen and like speed bumps in his back. He needs a scan and can't work. He's in a terrible place really.

I've stepped up to help him in various ways. Money. Food. Dog walking. Listening. Massages. Reassurance. Support.

I've been on the end of his moods and I've not taken it personally. But I've also had to be firm and put him in his place when his language was foul towards me on a particular rough couple of weeks.. he made me feel like shit and was so wrapped up in himself and his pain (understandble) he couldn't see the hurt he was causing me. Infact he ended the relationship. Blocked me on everything. 24 hours later I'm in a field walking my dog and get a text saying could I go down to talk. With tears in his eyes he explained he was sorry and ashamed. He explained he felt attacked and was struggling with side effects of pain relief and was just feeling awful. We talked and sorted it.

Today is My sons birthday. I told my boyfriend I'd head to his early evening by 7pm once my son was ready for bed and his dad would be looking after him. I called at 6pm to say I was having a quick bath and would be down in 45 minutes. He was groggy and I knew he was sleeping. He was disorientated and abit short. When I asked if he'd hear the door if he fell back to sleep he said what?? I'm not asleep. I said if you fall asleep again. I could tell he was moody so I said shall I just Come down tomorrow morning for abit. I explained I couldn't stay over until Friday after tonight etc. He just said it was up to me and seemed defensive. So I said OK well I'll come in the morning. He said right OK that's fine bye. Then went. I got of the phone and thought I hope that doesn't lead to a moody tomorrow aswel.

I've noticed since these tablets he doesn't stay awake beyond 9pm. Sex just isn't happening because of his pain. His moods are abit up and down. He's lonely. But his efforts are minimal at the moment and sitting at his house is our only option.

Ofcourse I want to be there for him and I still hope he will get sorted and stuff. But tonight feels abit shitty on his part. He could have easily text to say I'm taking my tablets early and you know they make me drowsy. Come another day. Or just walk in as I'd love to see you . But to just fall asleep when he knows I get a lift over.

I feel a little exhausted by him and the ups and downs.

Am I being unfair?

OP posts:
Ovenaffray · 28/12/2021 20:18

I take regular very strong pain killers

I don’t take money or food from anyone else and I have to keep working

He needs to go back to his doc and push for treatment.

I wouldn’t put up with the way he’s treating you

Tippytaps · 28/12/2021 20:21

I don’t think it’s the tablets, it’s his pain (and tantrums) that are ruining you.

Whether his tantrums are to be expected given his level of pain, that’s something you both need to discuss.

If you both know he will be asleep by 9pm then don’t plan for visits to start after 9pm. Perhaps I have missed something.

Tippytaps · 28/12/2021 20:23

I should add, being dumped them picked back up again is not okay. That must be quite distressing for you Flowers

Toomanybiccys123 · 28/12/2021 20:24

He is stubborn about the type of work he does. He operates large machinery in construction and won't entertain a career change right now.

I am trying so hard to understand as he is in horrendous pain. But I'm starting to feel like it's all about him and I'm the one pumping everything into us whilst he just takes.

I love him.very much and want to stand by him if it changes in the next couple of months. But maybe it's not happening.

OP posts:
Outfoxedbyrabbits · 28/12/2021 20:24

Analgesics don't work very well for chronic back pain. He needs to see a physiotherapist or similar to treat the root cause. (And I say this as a previous chronic back pain sufferer, I couldn't believe the difference a few stretching and strengthening exerices made but I guess it makes sense because they were supporting the injured area.)

kokokokokokokokoko · 28/12/2021 20:26

I think you might need a trial separation, with a potential to review in a couple of months when he's a bit further along.

UpsideDownToast · 28/12/2021 20:28

How long have you been together?

This doesn't sound like a balanced relationship - would he be doing everything for you that you're doing for him?

Toomanybiccys123 · 28/12/2021 20:28

The tablets knock him out in 30 minutes and he's taking them and falling asleep as early as 5pm some nights. If I'm going he tries to wait.

Its very difficult navigating it. I kinda froze when he said it was up to Me. I felt it was really his decision to make not mine. I felt like if I said I'd go I was forcing him to function. But if I said I'll go tomorrow I was deciding not to see him.

OP posts:
Wombat69 · 28/12/2021 20:31

A good physio would be more use. It's not hard to find one, saves a lot of angst.

Toomanybiccys123 · 28/12/2021 20:33

He's had surgery and it's probably failed. He has alot wrong in his back. Slipped discs. Plif operation. Arthritis. His spines weak. His muscles are enlarged. He's got mild scoliosis too. He's been down all routes and his GPS have thrown allsorts at him. He's done pain management clinic. He's under a physio but needs a scan to see what's happening now. His back feels like it's burning and pain is going down his leg. His bone clicks and moves causing him to vomit. He's in a terrible way. He went to a&e last week and they said he'd need to travel an hour away to try get a scan in a different hospital. He has no way of getting over.

We've been together a year. I'm not painting the best picture on here. It's not all doom and gloom. It's just since being on amitriptyline He's not been the same.

OP posts:
Dizzywizz · 28/12/2021 20:35

He needs to go back to his dr as the meds aren’t working for him. I get a lot of nerve pain (I have ms) but I don’t treat my family like this. I have been on meds that made me pass out like this but they didn’t work for me with that side effect and I went back to the dr and tried something else

SilverHairedCat · 28/12/2021 20:41

This isn't just about medication though. He's clearly in a lot of pain which is exhausting on its own let alone side effects of what I presume will be strong opiates.

However, you need to set your boundaries about his behaviour if he's to keep the relationship alive.

Toomanybiccys123 · 28/12/2021 20:44

@Dizzywizz

He really has explored everything.
Naproxen.
Cocodomol.
Oramorph.
Oxycodone
Amitriptyline
Cbd oil
Paracetamol
Ibruprofen.
Dicolfenic.
Capsicum cream (can't spell)
Deep heat
Acupressure mat
Walking.
Stretching
Physio.
Gels
Hot baths
Cannabis

Everything you can think of. He's onto the Dr's every week..he's begging for a scan.
Everything makes him sick, sleepy or moody..

But it's not fair how its affecting me. Its getting abit difficult.

OP posts:
Ovenaffray · 28/12/2021 20:45

I take amitriptiline at 8pm and I’m spark from 10 most nights.

I don’t understand why the hospital didn’t send him for the scan if he needed one?

Toomanybiccys123 · 28/12/2021 20:48

Our local hospital is not the best. But the bigger ones an hour away have full services.

His physio said he wants to see him in 3 weeks. But he's already decided he's not interested in the exercises. He just wants a scan. He's been down this road alot.

The amitriptyline seem to knock him out for around 4 hours and then he's awake and asleep all night on and off. He gets dizzy too and feels confused if woken up.

OP posts:
Malibuismysecrethome · 28/12/2021 20:50

Has he tried gastro-resistant Diclofenac tablets, not the gel. Amitriptyline is prescribed for nerve pain like shingles I wouldn’t have thought it was good for spinal injuries. It can have a depressive effect on some people, the reverse of what it is supposed to do.

Toomanybiccys123 · 28/12/2021 20:59

Because he gets burning sensations the gp prescribed them saying it sounds like nerve pain. That adds up to the feeling in his leg etc. The physio disagrees it's a trapped nerve.

Yes he has tried the tablet form of diclofenic too.

My gut feeling is he's gunna need more surgery and my fear is what if he can't get right now and this is the rest of his life.

OP posts:
festivesprinkles · 28/12/2021 21:01

What painkillers and other medication is he taking and at what dose?

Having seen your comment on another thread I think you should end the relationship. It's not working for you and you are miserable due to his moods. I have chronic back issues along with other chronic conditions as do many people but they still manage to function and don't make their partner miserable. The pain is a red herring here, he sounds unpleasant.

EIIa · 28/12/2021 21:02

I took a tramadol a few hours ago and am good for nothing

Also for back pain

Don’t take any shit BUT also don’t underestimate how much exhausting pain and painkillers are

Gargellen · 28/12/2021 21:04

Has he tried putting different sized orthotics in his shoes OP? Seriously a game changer for me as I discovered I have one leg a fair bit shorter than the other. Once I had compensated for this my life changed totally.

Toomanybiccys123 · 28/12/2021 21:14

Currently that's all he's on (amitriptyline) He was taking oramoroh last week too (5ml 4 times a day) but that didn't help. Jr does take paracetamol and ibruprofen sometimes too.

Not sure about the orthotics thing. That's interesting! I'll look into that.

@Ella

He honestly has my sympathy and support..I can only imagine. Its a horrible life for him. I've done my best to support and educated myself and not take it personally. I guess I just fear that I'm allowing it to be all about him and am I actually ever coming first. Tonight's out the blue really we've had it arranged all day. He could have been straight with me earlier that he needs rest..

OP posts:
UpsideDownToast · 28/12/2021 21:17

Chronic pain is horrific so it's a tough one, but you really need to make sure your boundaries are firmly in place so you don't end up slipping into something you can't get out of.

Have you spoken about how he talks to you?

redastherose · 28/12/2021 21:17

It may be harsh but if you've only been in this relationship for a year and you are spending every waking hour trying to help him maybe you should reconsider being in the relationship. You don't have to signup for a life, as a carer and his whipping boy on a fairly short relationship.

festivesprinkles · 28/12/2021 21:21

Well no wonder he's in pain if all he is taking is amitriptyline. It's still not excuse for taking your money and treating you like shit though. Give yourself a fresh start to 2022 and start it without the mood and money hoover.

whatwasIgoingtosay · 28/12/2021 21:21

Just because you're IN pain doesn't mean you have to BE a pain! You have been very sympathetic and supportive, but surely you need to look after your own needs for a warm, supportive relationship. It doesn't sound like there's much positive for you in this one. You don't need to martyr yourself; it's OK to walk away.

Swipe left for the next trending thread