PLEASE HELP!

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have joined some of these lists on behalf of my dad, with the hope that

somebody might be able to help him. Here's a brief history:-

My dad is 59. Many years ago he had a motorcycle accident and hurt his back, but

over time it got better and for many years he lived a normal working life. He

also has psoriasis. Over the years he had spells when his back got bad, but with

physio and treatment he improved. Then about 12-13 years ago it got really bad,

causing him a great deal of pain; and for the past 10 years he has been off

work, now permanently disabled. Tests etc showed that his condition is quite

complicated - he had several slipped discs with a trapped nerve which is

calcified, and the bottom of his spine is crumbling. He gets severe sciatic

(sp?) pain which affects his legs , feet and toes. He also now has psoriatic

arthritis, and his psoriasis is very bad. Over the years he has had courses of

physio, various pain meds etc etc etc... There is no operation that can help,

and would probably leave him in a wheelchair.

Anyway, since Christmas he has gone downhill very fast. He can no longer drive

and is in agony nearly all the time. He is spending nearly all his time laying

on his side in bed (he is getting alot of pain in the base of his spine and

can't sit), and hardly ever comes downstairs. He has been on methotrexate, but

it made him feel too bad. He cannot bear to have physio with the pain he has. In

the past he has used a TENS machine, but didn't find it much use.

We have a very understanding GP, but he doesn't really know what else to do at

the moment. Dad is now taking morphine for the pain, but he is still in quite

alot of pain. The meds is making him very constipated, and the straining is

making his pain worse. He also looks and feels so ill in himself and is getting

very depressed. I feel so helpless and desperately want to be able to help him.

If anyone has any idea's please let me know - I don't want him to suffer any

more. The GP is coming to see him tomorrow, so maybe he will have another idea.

Please Help.

love

Fiona

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