My Father's Pain
 

This is concerning my father. About 3-4 years ago he was cutting down a cedar behind his home with a chainsaw. He was not wearing a shirt and some of the sawdust/pitch got on his shoulder. Over the next few days he developed sores that turned into deep “cut like” patterns in his skin on his right shoulder/neck area… striped “cuts” about 5 – 6 inches long. He went to the veterans hospital and they said it was a dermatological reaction (I can find out the name if that would help)… over the next several weeks he was given different treatments. The pain was unbearable and he couldn’t sleep. The doctors, over the next 2 years, eventually told him that there was nothing they could do. He is living with constant pain in his shoulder (feels like a propane torch). 2 years ago he was also diagnosed with prostrate cancer. Last year his wife (my mother) of 56 years died of multiple myeloma. My father’s legs and feet have swollen over the last 6 months to the point of immobility. He was such a strong man, it is really hard for me to see this… never-the-less, I want to make sure that I seek every avenue I can pursue to try and help restore him to health. It is the pain in his shoulder that is the real debilitating factor along with the loss of hope to find some way to relieve it.

I am living in another state and all I can do is talk to him and encourage him over the phone.

Is there any other thing we should pursue?

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Rubantin
 

I am really sorry to hear about your mum,and ofcoarse your father. I assume that this sawdust caused an allergic reaction of sorts,and your father has been seeing a dermatologist?

There are forums for dermatological disorders on the net, have you been able to find them? I will try to find a couple for you and post again.

Also the swelling in dad's legs,is that from the prostate cancer?

In relation to the pain, It sounds as if it would be appropriate for your dad to see a pain specialist. Someone his age, with prostate cancer and this condition as well should not have to stay up all night due to pain. Can his doctor refer him to a pain specialist?

I would alsolike to say that even though your in another state, it's really good to offer him support,even if it's over the phone. My grandmother lives far away,and now she is immobilised herself. When I speak to her I try to offer support and chear her up. I think it's important for people to know that they are loved and wanted. Your doing a good thing.

Hi
 

I spent my hrs. on the phone as did my brother with my Mom,
and i'm so glad we did. Good for you and what a wonderfull
support you are for your fater,he must really miss your Mom,
as you do i sure.
Has your Dad seen a Heart Dr. many times a salt problem could cause
swelling in the legs,even not being able to get around can cause
that. He may be in the need of water pills,or compression socks.
Or it may be the cancer. I don't know how old your Dad is,but i'm
willing to bet he''s doesn't ask his Dad many Questions. My Dr.
has called my kids who all live out of town. He did it just yesterday.
Perhaps you can get a working relationship with your Dad's Drs.
Please keep posting there's a lot of help here. :) Sue

I am not a doctor, but it sounds to me like your father may have gotten reflex xympathetic dystrophy in the area of the dermatological reaction. If this is what it is, it needs serious pain treatment. Several things come to mind. (I assisted my parents in their last 12 years.) One is, it sounds like his doctor has not aggressively investigated the problem, and the fact that he never referred him to a doctor who specializes in pain treatment is really terrible. I don't know if this is the case, or how old your father is, but a lot of doctors don't treat older people as aggressively as they do younger ones, and don't take their complaints as seriously. Also, some men don't really report to their doctors the severity of what they are going through, so the doctor may not realize how incapacitated he is by pain. I found that I really had to take my parents to the doctor and go in with them for the exam. I was always amazed at how they told the doctor that everything was "fine", when I knew that it was not! Also, I was better able to explain things to the doctor, persist in asking for referrals or more treatment, and in remembering what the doctor said. Maybe the doctor told him more information about the swelling, but your father didn't understand it or report it to you. Going with a parent really helps. I know you don't live in the same state, but maybe you could go for a week's visit and schedule a couple of appointments that week. Or maybe it is time for your Dad to move near you? Lots of life changes going on, it sounds like. That is always so hard -- for both of you. Best wishes.

Just a thought-- you might want to have him see a neurologist about the shoulder pain to see if it is reflex sympathetic dystrophy. But I would have him hightail it to a pain doctor immediately. No one should have to suffer like that. We all know that here on this forum....

Hi rubantin, i am sorry to read of your loss and i admire the support you are given your dad, even though you live in different states just think that really your only as far as the phone is away from each other.
The only thing that comes to mind that might help his pain is a T.E.N.S machine
http://www.mydr.com.au/default.asp?article=4198
I also agree with Aussie, that a pain doctor might be able to help him more so than General Practitioners can.
good luck, i hope is able to get some relief soon.

Brian :)

dermatology help sights
 

http://www.medhelp.org/perl6/Dermatology/wwwboard.html

http://www.topix.net/forum/med/dermatology

Dakoda
 

My Mom was the type of woman who would just turn off at the
Dr. just wouldn't listen or was afraid to. She lived about 90 miles
from us a friend would bring her or we would go get her. But i
agree with you something is wrong about this poor man's Dad
having his pain ignored. I hope he get's some help sooner then not.
Bless them both.. Sue

Yeah, Shiney Sue, parents can be a problem. I wonder what we will be like when we are their age? How are you feeling, my dear? When I was practising physical therapy, I used to aplpy the pig skin and dressings. You are a very brave lady.

No help here. Other than to offer moral support. You're doing wonderfully and the best you can in supporting your dad in any way you can. I hope you're able to find out what's going on with his shoulder and that all goes well as far as his cancer. Is it treatable? There's been a lot going on in your lives and my heart goes out to both of you.

As other's here have noted it sounds like his primary care doc has dropped the ball. I'd be asking for another opinion and a referral to a pain specialist. With everything that's available today there's no reason your dad should suffer as he is. Please, keep us posted on what is done? :hug:

Barbara