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How can I make my stubborn DH go to doctors?

40 replies

klaxon · 15/05/2012 11:26

DH has had night sweats now for about two years, he looks dreadful and for the last six weeks has had diarrhea several times a day. He won't talk about it but he's obviously uncomfortable. There's a few other health concerns but he refuses to go to the GP, claims 'it's a bug and I'm getting over it' but he looks ill. He is pale, devoid of energy and just looks sick.

We have two young children. :(

I'm torn between being furious and being madly upset. I don't know what to do. I'm actively avoiding him at the minute. This sounds really selfish but he's sweating so much at nights I don't want to sleep next to him and the sheets really stink the next morning. So I'm having to change them daily.

How can I convince him to go to the doctors. BTW he's of the belief that a bottle of wine is 'fine for people like him', living on a shit diet of meat and potatoes is just dandy 'some people are actually allergic to vegetables you know' and basically does no exercise.

It's not sounding good is it? :(

Any ideas? I've tried making his mum talk to him (but can't tell her the full story without him getting really angry with me and also she's quite frail too so I don't want to stress her too much).

I'm at the end of my tether.

OP posts:
Elibean · 17/05/2012 08:10

I think he is probably very, very scared underneath the bluster, klaxon

You could try the opposite tack, ie tell him you know he is probably very worried and that you don't believe he isn't, that no matter what the doctors find out you'll be there for him, that it will be better than being scared and not knowing.

In other words, voice the thoughts he may not dare voice - you never know, it may help, can't hurt. Must be so hard living with his denial on top of all the worry, really hope he sees a doctor soon xxx

klaxon · 17/05/2012 12:45

Mummydoit - I'm very sorry for your loss :(

OP posts:
tribpot · 17/05/2012 19:11

How have you got on today, klaxon?

NatashaBee · 17/05/2012 19:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

3littlebadgers · 17/05/2012 19:30

mummydoit I'm so sorry for your loss Sad

I think you husband is prob very scared. I always hide away from things when I'm worried about them I guess in the hopes that it will just go away and often I find it is the reverse, once I have confronted the problem it's not as bad as I'd imagined. Might the night sweats be down to worrying? Keeping everthing crossed he sees doctor and it turns out to be nothing much to worry about.

amillionyears · 17/05/2012 19:33

Sorry for your loss MummyDoIt and NatashaBee.Sad
klaxon,does your DH have a friend or another relative who he does take some notice of?
I think a doctor would take a lot of notice of him especially if they have seen him before.It sounds as if he is now looking quite ill, so it shouldnt matter much what he says,any half decent doctor should spot things are not quite right.

realhousewifeofdevoncounty · 17/05/2012 19:36

I agree with brux. There are a lot of red flag symptoms there. There are lots of things it could be, but he really needs to get the more serious ones ruled out as a matter of urgency.

klaxon · 18/05/2012 06:42

I rather sneakily spoke to the GP when I took DS in (for something else) and she says she will see him anyway because she is referring him (for another non medical procedure) and will discuss it with him then. It may take a couple of weeks but I think it'll get him there at least.

OP posts:
amillionyears · 18/05/2012 07:03

I hope so.And well done.

klaxon · 18/05/2012 11:38

I'm deeply unpopular now because the GP rang at 8:30 and had words with him! He'll have to go in within a week to see the GP so fingers crossed.

I can deal with being unpopular. Widowed is much harder.

OP posts:
amillionyears · 18/05/2012 11:44

I hope it all works out well.
I hope your man calms down
and i like the sound of your gp!

klaxon · 18/05/2012 11:53

GP is a right old battleaxe, two years off retirement and does not give a shit who she offends at this point! Grin

I like her. Although she said I was fat (I am) and that I needed to get off my bum and do something about it (I do and I am). But sometimes a kick up the arse is required.

OP posts:
amillionyears · 18/05/2012 11:59

haha, she sounds like just the job for your DH hopefully.
no comment on what she said to you!

Elibean · 18/05/2012 15:55

Well done Klaxon, and Klaxon's battleaxe GP Grin

Really hope he gets there soon, and that both of you end up with reassurance/easily fixable problem.

3littlebadgers · 18/05/2012 19:52

That is brilliant news, well done to you. He will forgive you once you both know once and for all what is going on. Keep us posted I'm keeping everything crossed that it is something small.

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