Hi Amy,
It sounds like your partner is suffering from Abdominal Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (ACNES). The two ways to confirm this is 1) the Carnett test and 2) a trigger point shot. If it is confirmed ACNES the only way to rid oneself of this horrible pain is through a procedure where the nerves are cut. Unfortunately not only are almost all doctors unaware of ACNES but very few in the country do this procedure/surgery. I was most fortunate to find a surgeon in Phoenix who performed Robotic Laparoscopic surgery cutting my T8, T9 and T10 abdominal nerves. It is outpatient and went home that afternoon CURED. This was 9/2/21. The surgeon's is Dr Thomas Gillespie at St Joseph's Medical Center in Phoenix. He does take new patients. I have referred several people that were on this website to him and I am happy to say they all finally have their lives back. You need to go online and familiarize with the Carnett test and trigger point shot first. There are great articles and youtubes to watch. I'd be happy to discuss further via a phone call if you are interested. Jeff in Gilbert AZ