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Original poster

Intense stomach pain PLEASE HELP

135 replies

Rose559 · 14/11/2024 08:01

My fiancé has been ill for as long as we remember, probably the last 5-6 years. He has had so many tests and they cannot find a cause, we have another doctor’s appointment today and I was wondering if anyone had experienced similar and if there’s anything specific to ask for. He can’t go on like this much longer, it’s obviously getting to him and affecting us as a couple/family too because he’s snappy and angry because he’s in pain.

He has intense pain in his stomach constantly, he cannot have any weight put on his stomach and he’s in excruciating pain, he feels sick from the moment he wakes up in the morning, he’s gassy/bloated, has a really low immune system and catches everything so constantly has coughs/colds.

He’s had gullbladder scans, camera into his stomach, various blood tests (although not testing for anything specifically). Toilet habits are completely normal so they haven’t tested anything related to bowels.

He had appendicitis a year ago and had his appendix out and ended up with blood clots on both lungs a year ago. Hasn’t really recovered from that.

I’m hoping there’s someone that’s experienced similar, just an idea of what to ask for as the doctors today? I’m going with him just to help advocate as he feels he’s not being taken seriously.

OP posts:
Original poster
Rose559 · 20/11/2024 12:33

DeliciousApples · 20/11/2024 09:50

That's good he's getting bloods. It's a start.

Is there a reason he's not collected his medication? Is it difficult to get to the GP (or the chemist if they pick up the prescription and get it ready for collection) or is he just being lazy or not convinced it's worth the extra journey as they won't work?

I've been desperate for help with medical conditions and I've moved heaven and earth to get the meds the minute I can so I don't understand how he's in so much pain one minute and not bothering his arse the next.

I think there is more to this. Perhaps depression or something? Feeling unworthy. Or just worn down from pain. Who knows.

Honestly, after he's had his bloods done I'd be having a chat with him to say you're concerned about him not being well and not really dealing with diet and medication in an effective way and what's he intending to do going forward as things need to change.

And if he doesn't plan on looking after his own health I think I'd be off.

He needs to be fit to pull his weight around the house with the children etc. Not bothering with self care will impact on that.

He just forgets. I don’t get it. Unless I call him up and remind him or collect it for him then it won’t get collected.

It doesn’t help that he has no clue what it’s for so doesn’t have the motivation to pick it up? I don’t know? I don’t want to act like his Mum all the time but yes I do care about him.

He pulls his weight most of the time, but a lot of the time when asked and doesn’t use initiative. It’s the self care/diet that affects me. I know I’d eat chicken and rice (as a veggie) every day if it meant I felt better and was more present for my partner and children.

OP posts:
Original poster
Rose559 · 20/11/2024 12:34

Olly2021 · 20/11/2024 11:18

Poor guy, I really feel for him and for you OP. If he has been suffering these issues over the years I would be very surprised if he wasn't suffering also from elements of depression and health anxiety, this can make it difficult to concentrate and take in information, and also make all his physical ailments worse. It might also make him stressed about appointments and want to avoid them. So it is good that you are helping with this. He needs to make a concise bullet point list of his previous medical issues that you have mentioned and all his current symptoms to read out or hand to the doctor so he doesn't forget. He should also be upfront with the Dr that he finds it hard to process medical information and wants to write it down, there's no shame in that, I find some doctors just rattle off information as they try and get rid of you asap and sometimes what they say goes in one ear and out the other. I hope for both of you that he can get these issues sorted soon.

Thank you. We’ve done this ready, a list of possibilities, what has been tested/what he’s tried etc. I really want to understand what’s happening but feel awful about talking for him and acting like his Mum!

OP posts:
Original poster
Rose559 · 20/11/2024 12:35

justasking111 · 20/11/2024 11:28

Many people suffer depression with complex health issues. We do, however, listen to our GP and take the meds.

@Rose559 only has his word for it that the GP discontinued his omeprazole.

There's something else going on here in her husband's mind I suspect.

"Overview - Munchausen syndrome - NHS" https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/munchausen-syndrome/overview/

Edited

He’s genuinely in pain, I know he’s not putting it on. He winces when either of the children put any sort of pressure on his stomach (and one of them is only 11 months). But I know how he’s dealing with it/coping/helping himself could be much much better.

OP posts:
UnrealRita · 20/11/2024 12:42

Ohthatsabitshit · 14/11/2024 09:05

Is he hypermobile? Does he have stretch marks?

Does bring hypermobile cause other issues? That's interesting.

Ivyy · 20/11/2024 13:31

@UnrealRita yes unfortunately -

www.ehlers-danlos.org/information/gastrointestinal-problems-in-hypermobile-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-and-hypermobility-spectrum-disorders/

I'm not saying this is the cause for the op's partner though, just wanted to respond about hypermobility as I have many gut issues due to EDS:

Ivyy · 20/11/2024 13:45

Op at this point I would try and start saving to see a gastro specialist privately if you can?

Has he had the NHS investigations under a gastro consultant? Obviously the waiting times will be long for a referral for further investigations, if there's any way you can afford to save up, if it was me I'd start researching the best gastro consultants in the area or nearest city, you can't go on like this it sounds so stressful and miserable Flowers

CandidFinch · 20/11/2024 14:29

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

olympicsrock · 20/11/2024 16:44

Usually when you have a PE the CT is only of the chest , not the abdomen. An abdominal CT would also look at the pancreas . Chronic pancreatitis is a possible diagnosis here. Are his stools pale or floaty ??

I would ask the GP to write a list of the investigations done and the results .

JurassicPark4Eva · 20/11/2024 18:01

Ivyy · 20/11/2024 13:45

Op at this point I would try and start saving to see a gastro specialist privately if you can?

Has he had the NHS investigations under a gastro consultant? Obviously the waiting times will be long for a referral for further investigations, if there's any way you can afford to save up, if it was me I'd start researching the best gastro consultants in the area or nearest city, you can't go on like this it sounds so stressful and miserable Flowers

I wouldn't be spending a penny on this mans health when he can't even be bothered to pick up his meds or eat a sensible diet.

CoastalCalm · 20/11/2024 19:23

Create a NHS login and see what is being recorded there , it should have a summary of each doctors appointment along with details of prescribed medication. I would be incredibly annoyed with my husband if he wasn’t even picking up prescriptions it’s as if he would rather be ill than try to help himself

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