Q: I am writing about my husband (age 58, 195 pounds, 5’8” tall) of 39 years. Over the years, he has had a large variety of health issues, mostly pain in every part of his body, fatigue and drowsiness. He is on many different medications including Wellbutrin and Prozac for depression (for the past six years), Norvasc and Altace for high blood pressure (since he was 24), Nexium for heartburn, and Zyrtec and Nasonex for sinus problems. He takes daily OTC and prescription pain medication to deal with chronic and debilitating back and leg pain. He has been diagnosed with sleep apnea but doesn’t use the machine. In addition, he has suffered in the past from chronic kidney stones and has had his gallbladder removed.
When he was younger, he was extremely hyperactive, working from sun up to sun down, but in the last few years he is the opposite: exhausted and chronically fatigued with the ever present pain issues. He has been to many doctors and specialists over the years and had every problem thoroughly checked out. Nothing seems to come of the tests other than a minor problem here or there but nothing that would seem to cause the level of pain he says he experiences on a daily basis. Many family members, including his dad and siblings also have issues with debilitating leg pains.
We have an excellent medical internist but I think over the years she has become frustrated with his roving pain problems and lack of a concrete problem. I have tried to discuss these issues with her but due to confidentiality laws she doesn’t say much.
My husband is still working full time in construction in a supervisor role. Most days he comes home and sleeps on and off all evening. Even on the weekends he takes many naps and lacks energy. Could my husband have a problem with hypochondria? Could the fatigue and exhaustion be caused by the meds he is on? Would acupuncture or a pain clinic help? He is a typical male who complains a lot but doesn’t always do what the doctors suggest. For example, it was recommended he try steroid injections into his back for the pain but he is sure he will become paralyzed so refuses them.
I am at my wits end living with a 58-year-old man who acts like he is 85. I go to the doctors with him but nothing has helped. I doubt you have any solutions for me but it helps to vent. Thank you for your time.
A: I may have a very simple solution for your husband’s fatigue/exhaustion/drowsiness that may even help his pain levels to a degree. He MUST use the CPAP or BiPAP that was prescribed for his sleep apnea.
Although your husband is getting more than adequate sleep time, he is almost assuredly NOT getting adequate quality sleep. Sleep apnea, as you know, causes the sufferer to stop breathing for a few seconds up to a minute or so. This can happen up to several thousand times a night. All these pauses interrupt the normal sleep process usually causing the individual to awaken more tired than when they went to bed.
By using the machine that was given to your husband, these pauses will be eliminated, allowing him to get proper rest which in turn allows the body to repair some of the daily damage that is afflicted. Your husband’s body cannot do this which may, in part, explain some of his roving and chronic pain. In addition, your husband may have a herniated disc or other spinal anomaly that is causing the rest of his back and leg pain. It may even explain his roving pain as the spinal cord sends signals throughout the body and depending on the location of the impingement the legs, arms, or trunk can be affected. Another possibility is fibromyalgia which can cause pain throughout the body.
Your husband needs to follow up on what his doctor and specialists are telling him. If he is nervous about a procedure, he can discuss the benefits and risks, and the approximate likelihood of experiencing those risks, with the physician doing it. For example, the steroid injections don’t go directly into the spinal cord into the spinal canal. There is little risk of paralysis and when done by a competent physician carries very little risk and has the potential for great benefits.
All that said, if your husband is unwilling to take the steps to feeling better, there is nothing you can do, but he should at least have the consideration to stop complaining about his problems when it is his fault that he chooses to do nothing.
Readers who would like related information can request Dr. Gott’s Health Reports “Fibromyalgia”, “Managing Chronic Pain” and “Sleep/Wake Disorders” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 (for each report) US check or money order payable to Peter H. Gott, M.D. Health Report, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form from www.AskDrGottMD.com.
