[MarkV]

Side pain, back pain and dizziness - get it checked

by MarkV on Sat Jan 20, 2018 4:39 pm

My father-in-law (78) complained of a pain in his side just under his right arm. My wife asked him if he had recently done anything, and he had "yanked" a gate free of the ice at the farm he worked. He hadn't told us he fell. My wife made an appointment with his regular physician, where he again failed to report his fall. His physician never ordered an x-ray, prescribed pain reliever for muscle pull instead.

A few months went by, he complained of dizziness while walking, had surgery for a detached retina, complained on and off of pain in his side. More time passed, and he started complaining of his back and side, when wife got him in to see a physician she knew. Physician upon reviewing the images recommended he see a specialist for high degree osteoporosis.

This man was one of the strongest men I had ever known. He was 6'1"-6'2", 225 pounds, floor layer by trade. He could handle a 75 foot roll of carpet like it was a toy wagon.

His back pain emanated from his lumbar vertebrae collapsing and crushing the nerves near the site. His rib pain was caused by holes in his ribs. He stooped over later due to his thoracic vertebrae collapse. His dizziness while walking was caused by holes in his skull exposing his brain.

I blame myself a lot because I should have asked him many times, until he smacked me, what did you do? I worry constantly about my wife possibly inheriting this dreadful disease.

These symptoms that he had were markers for this disease. If you have any of these symptoms, please go get checked.

This man had forearms like a gorilla, strong man, fought the pain until he finally succumbed. He was in and out of hospice, because when they thought he was dead, he came back for a few more rounds, many times. He refused to die. I didn't want him to die either. My wife kept giving him the pain killers because mother-in-law in denial. It still haunts me. Had nightmare the other night.

Please get checked regularly. I still use 24D to kill weeds, scares me though. God bless all of you!

[willow75]

Re: Side pain, back pain and dizziness - get it checked

by willow75 on Fri Jan 26, 2018 1:24 pm

MarkV,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your father-in-law sounds like an impressive man, and I'm sorry he and your family had to go through so much. Some doctors do not seem to have myeloma on their radar. Patients and caregivers are often doing the best they can with imperfect information, and we don't know what other questions we might have asked except in 20/20 hindsight. You and your wife took amazing care of your father-in-law and he was blessed with love.

-W