Worried about a friend

[twinny-15]

For several weeks he has had severe back pain..so much that now he can hardly walk..he is losing weight ,has very little appetite and has started to defacate (very small amounts ) when in bed at night !!! He has been getting meds from GP but it's not helping..I think he has not told the Doc all of his symptoms ..Any advice would be great... He is in his early 60s..Thanks Twinny xx

[welshlibranr]

sounds as though he needs to see his GP asap, and tell him/her all about his symptoms!..........obviously, it's his choice!.........

[twinny-15]

Thanks he is not telling all to his GP I think.. will do my best to persuade himxx

[Sqad]

This sounds very much like a neurological disorder, either a slipped disc or something more sinister.

I agree that he should should return to his GP....no urgency......but could you not go with him?

[David H]

If it's the lower back I'm surprised no one's mentioned kidneys, sounds more like nephritis or the like to me (not a doctor but read all the books) or even a stone although they would normally have been passed or detected by now it's also a possibility. If you get other symptoms with back pain it's very unlikely to be back related but organ related.

[Sqad]

David..".why hasn't someone mentioned kidneys?"
Because the patient is also incontinent of faeces, which would be difficult to explain if the GU tract was the site of the problem.

[David H]

I was only referring to the original problem, the next is odd as you say and beyond my scope. It may not be connected or be set off by something indirectly, the body is a whole system and if one bit goes wrong others can follow in the strangest of places, and if not part of a recognised illness can often keep doctors guessing for ages.

[Sir Alec]

I have had pyelonephritis twice and you are more likely to be vomiting than have incontinence with kidney problems.
Could you talk your friend into having a home visit and make sure that you're there when the doctor arrives?