I've had much success with acupuncture for helping with pain. I'm so sorry for all his pain and anxiety.

Laura

I feel terrible for you and your husband, I wish I could offer you more. Has his doctor recommended drugs specific for nerve pain, like gabapentin for example? I'll keep you in my thoughts, and hope for a better solution for your husband, and you too.

I'm not sure if Tramadol would be strong enough, but when I used it I had no problems with my pouch.

Sounds like a pretty miserable existence.
I would inquire about a spinal pain pump. This delivers tiny amounts of narcotic to the spine, with little to no systemic effects. The pump is implanted under the skin and is refilled by injection periodically.

He would still have to go through detox while coming off of the systemic opiates, but a pain management specialist can oversee it all.

Jan

Thankyou all soooo very much for your replies. WE have had several phone conversations with doctors since visiting our own local doctor early this morning.

Your messages are greatly appreciated believe me - yes Laura, we have tried acupuncture but even the acupuncturist said he can do no more, Alli, we haven't heard of that drug but will most certainly ask his Pain Management Specialist. Dog, yes he tried Tramadol but it had it's own side effects and no Jan, a pump hasn't been mentioned but I was watching something on TV recently where a lady had a pump of sorts inserted for a urinary problem and wondered at the time if something similar could be done for my husband - lots of help from you all and lots of ideas to ask about - thankyou all heaps !!!!!!!

On another related subject to pouches - have any of you found that after an operation your pouch seems to lose it's memory and stop working - amongst other operations and illnesses, my husband has had 2 carpel tunnel ops, a new knee, 2 new shoulders, a new hip and the spinal fusion - the anaesthetic seems to knock the pouch's memory out causing great discomfort and upset for a few days after the operations . . .

Many thanks to you all once again - your kindness speaks to my heart xox

The type of pump is an intrathecal pump.
http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/...UMP.htm#.U76n1WK9KSM

Usually, the gut only shuts down with abdominal surgery, but some people have that response to any general aneshtetic.

Jan