El Hub has had on/off sciatica for years. There's a damaged nerve in his back which affects his leg. One foot has been numb for ages.

Usually he's OK and pretty active. However, about 3-4 months ago, he got a bad episode and ever since he's in pain almost 24/7 and can barely walk. He alternates between sitting at his computer, then lying in bed.

He takes a 800mg Motrin for a week at a time, then goes off for a week because he's afraid of damaging liver or kidney, I forget which.

I call this Stupid Husband Syndrome because whenever someone asks if he has seen a doctor, he says he went for the same thing in 1986 and he already knows that nothing can be done. 1986, that was not a typo. I'm almost tempted to hit him over the head and drag him in, but there's really nothing I can say to him.

In the mean time, it hurts just watching and living with someone who is obviously in so much pain but has given up.

Meredith do doctors do house calls where you live? Maybe your Hubby needs to hear it from the "horses" mouth. If he still refuses to get help, then as bad as it sounds, you have to leave him to wallow in his own misery. Just don't let him drag you down with him.

Divine Ms. M,
That hurts just reading about it. I have lots and lots of
arthristis. Aside from Advil, I use "Intensive Pain Relief"
Thunder Ridge Emu Oil [www.thunderridgeemu.com] and/or
"Sombra, natural pain relieving gel", analgesico natural [www.sombrausa.com]. That last 1 I got via my brother; he works for a pro football team and the players use it to temper injury pain after a game. Perhaps, 1 or both of these meds could help hubby ease the pain!!!!

A sister of mine has the same thing.
Difference is, she has been to an M.D., one or two accupuncturists, two chiros, and a massage therapist - none have helped her to the point of healing. She takes heavy painkillers so she can work.
She was told by one of the accupuncturist (sp?) that if she didn't get the problem tended to, the nerve will probably die. He was able to get some feeling back in her left leg, but it never came back fully to the best of my knowledge. I haven't heard if she has gone back to any of them, or not. She is very much overweight... and that probably adds some to the problem. And, she is near knock-kneed, another contributing factor, I'm sure.
Hope your husband at least has someone look at it. I can relate to not wanting to bother with doctors, though.

Hubbo is built like a twig with even skinnier legs. 6'2 & 150. Injuries came from years of playing basketball. He has not tried chiropractic or acupuncture, even though both have been mentioned to him. And he doesn't want more drugs. (Jabber, thanks for the links. I'll mention them anyhow.) In 1986 he got cortisone shots. I'd at least like if he got those again.

They have so many NEW and effective pain management procedures now tha he is suffering for nothing more than stubbornness... Light a fire under him and get him moving to the doctor.

I recall that pain in the leg. Wow, it hurts. During a sugery, they gave me a shot and hit a nerve which gave me that cramping pain in my leg off and on for years.

Have you broached the subject lately about seeing a doctor? Did the cortisone shots work back then? They are working miracles for a friend who is having terrific hip pain.

Like EW said, don't let him drag you down with him. I have a great big feeling after meeting you that he won't! You might have to call up some girlfriends and hit the dance floor to keep your spirits up! Hey is foundhervoiceatlast close enough. I know she'd go.

She's in Colorado, which is not exactly close to Cali.

He's actually trying 1/2 pill of Zanaflex tonight, a muscle relaxant. Even that was like pulling teeth.