What do you think about your current treatment?

@xDarenX  You really have been through the mill too haven't you.  My husband's GP will never give him any 'serious' pain killers - the pain clinic prescribed the Pregabalin and so the GP had to continue with those, but won't give Tramadol or similar to him because of the Duloxitin they say.  I always wonder if it because of him history of overdoses really, but now I keep control of all meds, this is far less likely and he really does need pain meds  I will tell I'm to sk about Fentanyl patches.  Thanks for that.

@Suncatcher2015  , I see no reason why they can't try your husband on Fentanyl patches . I have got a number of medical problems but I am coping and I am not at all depressed . I think very positively . I have not been very active on this site in the last week or so because I have been so unwell with my neck , gallstones and stomach problems . I will bounce back I promise you . My sincere best wishes to you and your husband . If there is any advice I can offer you about medication , please just ask . Have a lovely day :-)

Daren x

Thanks @xdarrenx - we are waiting for some blood results to confirm a diagnosis, so when we go back for those, I will ask about the patches.

Suncatcher2015 x

You are welcome @Suncatcher2015  , the only other reason I can think of is the fact that both Duloxetine and opiate pain killers act on serotonin , therefore there is a slight risk of serotonin syndrome , but the risk is minimal ... there are over 18 possible interactions with the tablet combination I take and I do not even get any side effects from them ... good luck anyway hun :)

Daren x

Thanks @xDarenx - fingers crossed - toes too :)

@Suncatcher2015  , I am feeling a lot better today . Sadly a dear old lady who was a friend of mine passed away peacefully in the night . I am glad she is no longer suffering . She was 90 , but she was very sharp and certainly had all of her marbles . My mum is a bit shook up today as she had been going to the hospital twice a week to see her , she was a life long friend and a lovely person . I will be going to the funeral in a few weeks .

I cherish the times that I do not feel unwell now as it is happening more and more frequently . I am giving the hospital a call today to see how long it is going to be before I get my capsule endoscopy .  I will let you know later how I got on :-)

Daren x

Hi @xDarenx - glad you are having a better day, but so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend and that the bad days are outnumbering the good at the moment.

I think there must be something in the air - after battling assorted health conditions, with very few doctor's visits and by using assorted over the counter meds since 'The Accident' in 1983, I gradually progressed in the last two years, to prescribed meds.  Since retiring in May however, it has been one thing after another.  My mobility has gone down hill rapidly, my pain levels increased just as steeply and the other problems caused by the pain, drugs, mobility issues, which have always just been 'inconvenient' are now real issues.  Add to that the new condition of Angina which caused the early retirement, and I really feel as if I am coming apart at the seams - or at least, getting old quickly!

I actually have a day on Friday when I have three appointments at different places for different things!  This is a real mind bender for someone who has made a career of trying to stay away from doctors since the accident and all the problems that followed it.

With my husband developing a new condition and having appointments all over the place too, the week before last we were at some sort of appointment for one or the other of us every day!

I feel that my commitment to work (self-confessed workaholic) has been replaced with a full time job monitoring health and appointments.

I must admit, the reason I am as active as possible on here is to fill the void left by stopping work, and at least if I am going to spend hours researching conditions and treatments for us, I may as well share the benefits with others - well, that's my idea anyway. :)

Hope the good day continues and you get some joy with your hospital phone call.

Suncatcher2015 x

@Suncatcher2015  I am sorry that  your physical problems are progressing . I am sure many people appreciate your input on here . I do for sure . Just don't forget to put yourself at the very top of your list . Never let anyone upset you . Thank you for your kind words . I have got an emergency appointment at hospital tomorrow with the gastroenterologist . good night :)

Daren x

@xDarenx  - Good luck for tomorrow!

@Suncatcher2015  , I hope you have a nice weekend and I hope your husband is okay ... I have many problems at the moment , I really do not know where to start . I am having to quit work until I am well again ... I have just finished a big job that I should have finished in a day , but it took me 3 days ... I have no energy and have to p about 20 times a day ... i may have diabetes im not sure .... doctors do not believe the extreme symptoms I get from the problem in my neck , they say it is too rare ... well that is what I have got ... I asked to be put on pain patches and instead of Fentanyl patches they have suggested BU trans patches ( intended for recovering drug addicts ) and I have looked on a conversion chart and what they intend putting me on is precisely half the strength of the tablets that I am taking currently .... I feel broken .... fighting is running me down .... surely a doctors job is to believe your symptoms and find a way of alleviating them ..... they attribute my dental pain to anxiety or depression ... I am so angry I could explode ..... I intend to stop all my psychiatric medication to prove that my symptoms are nothing to do with my mental health ... it is going to be tough but I see no other way forward :-( 

Daren x