You got him to call the Doctor. That's the most important thing you could have done (well, except make him GO to the Dr and then DO all the nasty things
the dr wants him to do)
My Dh has a funny way of approaching things he doesn't want to do.
On the bike; he can do anything. but pushups? "ow, my shoulder hurts"
a stretching exercise right out of bicycling magazine "ow, my neck hurts"
it goes on and on, all the things he won't do.
BE FIRM. BE GENTLE. and take deep breaths.