Comments | twichie: Houston, we have a diagnosis

twichie

Houston, we have a diagnosis

Apr 21, 2010 05:45

So for the past year, we've been dealing with major issues with hubby. For those who remember, last Summer he had surgery to correct a hernia which was supposed to help some pain he was having in his groin region. No one could explain to us why he was in so much pain. Some said that it was the hernia. Others said it was a nerve issue. Some said it ( Read more... )

military medical, hubby

Comments 26

lilliew April 21 2010, 11:59:17 UTC

That sounds horrendous!!! I'm surprised they didn't do an MRI sooner.

Have you looked into any types of massage in that area if possible? If there's adhesions, it might help. I get adhesions in the muscles of my forearms and massage helps keep them from getting too tight.

I hope you two can find a treatment that works.

I'll keep you both in my prayers.

twichie April 21 2010, 12:04:57 UTC

The problem is that the area where he is developing the adhesions is actually so deep in the pelvis, it can't be reached with massage.

I've actually been looking into taking massage classes so that I can assist him with this. I mean it's in his groin, so it's not something he'd be comfortable seeing another massage therapist for...so if I learn how to do it... I don't know. He's in so much pain... We'll have to see how that progresses. They are also looking into some other options like heat therapy and infrared...I have no idea what will come next. It's been quite the journey that's for sure!

twichie April 21 2010, 12:05:51 UTC

Oh and it's military medicine. Government healthcare. That would be why it was so easy for them to miss it.....*sigh* Don't do anything more than the minimum.

lilliew April 21 2010, 13:21:20 UTC

You might find massage in other areas might help as well, even if you can't target that specific area. If an area is tense, the muscles radiated outwards and up and down the body can also tense up and make it all worse. Massage could likely help some, especially if you can do it :)

Maybe also check into sports medicine. I know that groin injuries are fairly common in sports.

Oh one more thing, cold laser. My chiropractor has one of those and the way it works is it energizes cells and promotes healing within them. He has used it on my neck (helped out!) and knees. Not sure who might have these however.

Thread 5

lem0nb0mbs April 21 2010, 12:29:39 UTC

Acupuncture for the pain? Can a Tens unit help? Ultrasound?

I also don't believe "they" are right; my gut says there are doctors who are willing to treat this injury and could do so with success. I mean, they were repeatedly wrong already, why would they be right now?

twichie April 21 2010, 12:51:39 UTC

I'm looking into the possibility of accupuncture. He's had a TENS unit. It helps while it's on, but because of the area he needs it, he can't use it as often as he'd like. They're talking about peripheral field stimulation - implanting the TENS unit under his skin directly. Right now I'm not jazzed at all with them doing any sort of surgery on him at all after all the mess we had with surgery previously...but he wants a non-drug treatment. Can't blame him for that. They did ultrasound guided injections (that was Spanish Inquisition type stuff. Horrendously awful. Worse than the comfy chair. Honestly. Cause the comfy chair didn't inject things into your pelvis next to your man parts. Ya know?) and we're looking into infrared therapy that might help break up the scar tissue. He's also trying hydro/pool therapy for stretches and working the muscles around the area to strengthen them ( ... )

lem0nb0mbs April 21 2010, 14:49:16 UTC

Sounds like you are on the right track with alternative treatments. Anything that can help lower inflammation and break up adhesions is a good thing.

I don't know how you feel about such things, but you might also give reiki a try. It is completely noninvasive, and might help with the pain.

twichie April 21 2010, 18:59:43 UTC

I haven't looked into that, but I'll add it to my list for research for sure! Thank you thank you thank you!

sameinanylingo April 21 2010, 18:45:12 UTC

Wow! How could they completely miss an injury of that level? And why did they not do an MRI sooner?

And for what it's worth, sound like you may have a legitimate malpractice suit on your hands.

twichie April 21 2010, 19:01:33 UTC

They just never thought they needed to do an MRI or anything like that. It wasn't until they started talking about very large needles into the groin that I demanded it. Up to that point, he was told the pain was in his head and he needed to 'suck it up'.

I know - but it's military medicine. We're not sure how we can do that...but we are looking into it since they've used this to try to bounce him out of the service. *sigh*

uliamos April 21 2010, 20:31:42 UTC

Wow - I think I'm a bit lost for words here. Medicine major!FAIL!!!

I hope you or the doctors (in case you can ever trust them enough again) will find something to lessen the pain. It sounds absolutely horrifying what your hubby has to endure. And I suppose for you it's not exactly less painful seeing him in such agony.

*bighugs*

twichie April 23 2010, 14:55:47 UTC

Thank you. We're working on it and I'm not taking anything they say as the truth! *hugsbackatya*

uliamos April 23 2010, 15:00:56 UTC

I suppose you're also looking into a law suit because of malpractice? Sounds like you might have a case.

twichie April 23 2010, 15:02:44 UTC

It's the government. I don't know if we're allowed or if he signs away those rights when he signs up to serve. We'll have to see. ;) I've missed you Uli! Are you on Facebook?!

Thread 7

surrexi April 21 2010, 20:54:15 UTC

Ah, military medicine. And people wonder why I'm opposed to government-run healthcare. I always tell people that military doctors are either like Hawkeye or Frank Burns from M*A*S*H, and that most of them are like Frank Burns, lol.

Hopefully you'll be able to find yourselves a Hawkeye who won't fight you every time you come up with a new idea and might come up with some ideas of his/her own. And God knows with the military you've got to keep pushing. After my dad made full colonel, the only times I can remember him playing the rank card in non-job-related situations were with the medical system. Possibly also payroll when he had a complicated PCS, but mostly just the medical system. He had to put on his colonel hat with them a lot.

twichie April 23 2010, 14:57:09 UTC

Exactly! I kept saying "You won't want my healthcare. Trust me." And the supporters kept yelling at me saying it's better than nothing.

Not really. You get what you pay for people. I don't know why they don't get that.

Our current Hawkeye is being transferred. Figures. The other part of that equation no one thinks of. Get comfortable with a doc and they get orders to leave.