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Original poster

Worried about dh's health...........................any ideas?

28 replies

northender · 30/06/2006 21:47

He was in perfectly good health (apart from quite severe hayfever) until 5 yrs ago when he started getting bouts of tonsillitis and 2 hosp admissions to drain and treat abscesses (on his tonsils). Finally had them out last year. About 4 yrs ago he had suspected Lymes disease which was treated with antibiotics. Over the last year he's had several bouts of diarrhea (lasting 48 hrs and with swollen achey joints). Now he's got 2 more insect bites which are infected and he's feeling lousy, achey, shivery etc.

Sorry I know this goes on a bit but he's really fed up and I'm really worried and the GPs don't seem to be able to give any clues as to why he's getting so many problems.

Could these things all be connected or is it just bad luck? Thinking out loud as well really!

OP posts:
FrostyFace · 30/06/2006 21:54

Have you tried any Alternative Therapies?

Original poster
northender · 30/06/2006 21:58

No but I've thought about it. He'd take a bit of persuading I think but having said that he's extremely fed up and would possibly "try anything" iykwim. It's just like his immune system's gone awol.

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FrostyFace · 01/07/2006 07:04

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Twiglett · 01/07/2006 07:55

sounds like his immune system needs boosting

acidopholus tablets from health food store

I did acupuncture for immune system

feel much better now

Spagblog · 01/07/2006 08:06

Gosh, poor bloke. Definitely looks like his immune system is in need of some assistance.
Does he still get the hayfever?

Original poster
northender · 01/07/2006 11:09

Yes he does still get the hayfever, it affects his eyes badly as they continuously ooze yellow gunge. Any eye drops he uses are never 100% effective and mean he can't wear his contact lenses so trigger lower moods again. A vicious cycle rEALLY!

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Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 01/07/2006 11:12

I'd recomend trying homeopathy because a)its the sort of thing that they specialise in and b) it'll be the cheapest alternative therapy to try (because you don't have to go very often- long gaps between appointments).

LaDiDaDi · 01/07/2006 11:44

By all means try the alternative therapies suggested here but if i were you i would be demanding that your hubby gets a referral to a hospital specialist. It could all be due to an autoimmune problem which is less common in men than in women (and being generous perhaps why GP hasn't referred) but must be ruled out! Does he have any problems with his eyes? The diarrhoea and joint probs could also point to some kind of inflammatory bowel disease.

Don't want to worry you anymore than you are but sounds to me like gp has reached limit of knowledge/expertise and needs to refer on to specialist.

LaDiDaDi · 01/07/2006 12:36

Sorry missed the bit where you mention his eye problems!

Original poster
northender · 01/07/2006 13:19

That's what I was concerned about LaDiDaDi, GP doesn't seem to think it is inflammatory bowel problem and now with the problem with his reaction to the insect bites (again!) I wonder if it is some sort of autoimmune thing. "Thing" is about as far as I get as I know diddly squat about autoimmune conditions! The eye problem is very long standing to be fair so probably isn't at all connected.

Am fairly open minded re "alternative" therapies but have to say am a bit sceptical about homeopathy. Would like to pursue conventional med but dh feels that the GP's fed up of seeing him (I think that's more his perception than reality, we have excellent GPs)

OP posts:
Spagblog · 01/07/2006 13:25

Hmmm, if it was me I would try an alternative therapy, maybe acupuncture?
Does he get stressed easily?

Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 01/07/2006 13:27

Trial of gluten free diet? Wouldn't bother trialing for more than a couple of weeks but fairly easy to do if he eats fairly normally (thinking gut/autoimmune things).

Original poster
northender · 01/07/2006 13:39

He has always said that he feels bloated and sluggish when he eats too much bread. We'd struggle with the gluten free diet but anything's worth a try. I also like the idea of acupuncture more than homeopathy or maybe am more convinced by its effects. Will only try one thing at a time though.

Thanks so much all of you for your help so far. I know the things I'm talking about probably sound trivial to some but it seems to be never ending at the moment and dh really isn't that good at being unwell!!

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Original poster
northender · 01/07/2006 13:45

When I say we'd struggle with the gluten free, I'm thinking of bread/flour based products which are fairly central to our lunches, I use flour quite a bit in cooking but there will be alternatives of course and then I think oats have gluten don't they? That is fairly central to our breakfasts and I have to say the alternatives I've seen don't look as appetising eg quinoa

Having said all that if it worked it'd be worth it and we'd soon get used to it

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Spagblog · 01/07/2006 15:37

Oh, it's not too hard to escape gluten these days. Although I didn't realise oats had gluten???

I gave up bread and wheat products once (Gillian McKeith diet) and soon found the alternatives quite nice.

Either go to a health food shop, or look down the "free from" aisles at the supermarket.

noddyholder · 01/07/2006 16:17

It does sound like some sort of immune system problem that flares from time to time.I would get some blood tests before treating it yourself with herbs etc as some of these can increase the immune response which is the last thing a person with an auto immune condition needs.Relaxing therapies like reiki and massage are good though.Stress does cause these coditions to flare Get him to a doctor before it damages some part of him permanently xx

Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 01/07/2006 20:11

Gluten free is dead easy these days, just shop at Sainsbury's or tescos. The bread is rank, but if you make your own its fine. Other than breakfast (cornflakes are fine as are rice crispy type things) you should be able to eat normally.

foxinsocks · 01/07/2006 20:17

does he get very tired?

Original poster
northender · 01/07/2006 21:32

He does get very tired foxinsocks, but only when in a "flare up" like now. For the last few weeks he's been fine, we've had a holiday which was great and he's been just fine until he got this insect bite. He went to bed at 8 last night and had a 4 hour sleep in the middle of the day today.

What sort of blood tests should he be having? God I'm a health professional and I feel completely helpless. I think I'll go to the GP with him next time to give him a bit of moral support.

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foxinsocks · 01/07/2006 22:00

yes go with him (I also think GPs seem to take things more seriously if you both turn up!).

They might run arthritis tests, prob tests for inflammation, check whether he's anaemic....

does he get headaches?

Original poster
northender · 01/07/2006 22:37

No, no headaches. Can't thank you guys enough for all your ideas and support. Think we'll try GP this week and then other options after that depending on how we get on. Will let you know how it goes, in the meantime any ideas much appreciated!

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foxinsocks · 01/07/2006 22:42

good luck - let us know how it goes

even if not much happens, I would certainly get him on a multivit with iron (perhaps a tonic like Floradix or Floravital) and perhaps get some probiotic stuff for his gut because several bouts of diarrheoa have probably mucked up his digestion.

Also if he is under any stress (maybe work or money), perhaps suggest some relaxation time - calm breathing, regular exercise etc. because those sorts of bowel things and having a low immune system are often made worse with stress.

I really hope you get some answers.

liquidclocks · 02/07/2006 11:58

Northender - sorry your DH seems to be having so much trouble. Not sure about the insect bite's involvemnt - infection could just be a side effect of an overstrectched immune system.

If he's having periodic 'flare-ups' that involve achy stiff and swollen joints this is worth following up just by itself. Are his joints hot to touch/red? Has he lost any flexibility in the last couple of years?

I work in rheumatology and would think that it would be worth him seeing a consultant and having blood tests just to make sure. Any sort of inflammatory condition has the best prognosis if caught and treated early. Inflamatory conditions can also affect the bowels, eyes and mood (by affecting serotonin) so it may well be connected.

Don't want to scare you at all, it may be that it's just a succession of viruses and he's run down and can't deal with them too well but it would be best to make sure IMO.

Hope you can sort it out together and he feels well again.

flack · 02/07/2006 15:14

Are you sure that Lyme disease can be ruled out?
I went to a seminar about Lyme disease once. I had the impression the effects could last forever.

Original poster
northender · 02/07/2006 19:50

Thanks flack and liquidclocks. The main problem he gets with his joints (especially hands) is pain, never redness, maybe slight swelling last time. I've had a look at some internet stuff on Lymes and it does seem it can have very long lasting effects and quite wide ranging symptoms.

He's much better today and managed to hold off the antibiotics, leg still red and painful but at least systemic symptoms have eased.

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