I also have had low back pain/ache for years that sounds very similar, when it gets bad it can run down my legs. The pain was always tolerable during the day but would get much much worse at night making it impossible to sleep without medication. I tried pretty much every possible pain medication and strategy for years, and really the only way I kept the pain under control and was able to sleep was to take lots of narcotics. When I got diagnosed with lyme last year and started treatment, the pain got a lot worse for a month or two and changed into a sharper pain rather than the dull ache it had always been. I also got off the narcotics and started something called naltrexone. While the pain is better now, the naltrexone is not an as needed medication like narcotics or tylenol and takes a couple of weeks to start kicking in. Before it did I was miserable and the only way I could sleep was to knock myself out with sleep meds-- not great for obvious reasons but better than no sleep at all. The pain is definitely considerably improved though can still flare up. Other things I used over the years that seemed to help were bengay patches (they have menthol in them which numbs) and seeing a massage therapist, who is really good and has helped a lot. My lyme doctor also gave me a topical medication which helps a lot--I prefer to use non-pill solutions whenever I can. I know I and lots of other people here can empathize with how difficult and exhausting being in constant pain can be. I hope this helps and if you want anymore information about any of the meds/strategies for your husband,(like I said I've tried them all) just let me know.  |
