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compressed vertebrae, i asked dr about stronger pain medication and they said no -- i wonder why?

MayGodBlessYou profile image
10 Replies

Mum's got probably vertebral pain, is on an otc pain tablet, plus a step up from that, the prescription version. a dr friend of mine said she should be on something stronger like oxycodone.

i asked specialist if Mum could have a stronger pain medication, and was told no.

why's that? maybe cause elderly and side-effects.

anyone here on oxycodone?

what do you do for pain?

how to get comfortable?

thanks.

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MayGodBlessYou
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10 Replies
MayGodBlessYou profile image
MayGodBlessYou

does a foam wedge-like pillow (for bed) help you?

my Mum likes a warm-pack, i've set up a pouch for the warm-pack on the chair back using a lightweight backpack.

seeing if Mum can have smaller, more frequent meals, so the daily quantity is the same or more, but less strain digesting a large meal

going to have a go at a foam shampoo system, i put shampoo and water in a nitrous foam dispenser, i tested it for myself, it seems to work,

rinse is a bit wet but can't safely have a normal shampoo.

MayGodBlessYou profile image
MayGodBlessYou

Mum's health not good, how do i relax? 💔 how do you relax?

she can walk a bit but Dad and i are her carer

strongmouse profile image
strongmouse in reply toMayGodBlessYou

Being a carer can be hard work. try to make sure that you take some time for you, to do something you enjoy each day. It might be reading a good book, perhaps a chapter a day, or doing a hobby something which takes your mind off problems. Some people find it helpful to keep a journal writing down your feelings, perhaps writing something nice that happened, and maybe include some things to be thankful for - a pretty flower you saw, a kind word someone said. There are organisations for Carers and you can phone them for support. Other good ideas below, mindfulness, relaxation exercises, aswell as apps YouTube has some, but find ones which work for you. We are all different.

MayGodBlessYou profile image
MayGodBlessYou in reply tostrongmouse

thanks so much, maybe i can look it up, i have exhaustion illness myself.

used to have a heap of interests then Mum unwell, nothing interests me and i haven't got any purpose besides looking after Mum,

but you aren't my counselor, I'm just venting a bit,

need to think of other things,

thanks for the reminder x

Texanna profile image
Texanna

I haven’t dealt with a situation like this; however, I have a few thoughts.

Oxycodone can be addictive. Maybe that is why your mother’s doctor said no to it. It wouldn’t hurt to call back and ask why and to be sure the doctor knows how much pain your mother is still experiencing. Sometimes you have to be a “squeaky wheel”.

Perhaps your mom can see a doctor who specializes in pain management. That doctor might approve a stronger drug or perhaps do steroid injections to alleviate the pain.

Meditation and mindful breathing can help relax both you and your mom. There’s a free app called Insight Timer. Please check it out. There are selections by length of time and topic. I really enjoy the guided imagery and find it relaxing.

And one last thought, try to distract your mother with humor or things she enjoys. It has been said that laughter is the best medicine. Just watching a funny movie or TV show can be therapeutic. Or if she enjoys reading that can help too.

Best wishes to you and your parents.

strongmouse profile image
strongmouse

Pain medication depends on what is causing pain e.g. inflammation, nerve damage, muscular pain. It isn't good practice for a doctor to dismiss someone's pain without discussing why. Obviously some medications can be addictive so drs can be cautious in long term conditions. However, there are a range of ways of dealing with pain including pain patches, injections directly into the area causing pain, physiotherapy, pain management, which can include finding best medication along with relaxation techniques, understanding pain, distraction techniques, such as becoming engrossed in an activity you enjoy, heat...

Can your mum see or speak to another doctor for a second opinion?

Kimm4 profile image
Kimm4

Your Mum should see a pain consultant who can help her deal with the pain. I've had chronic pain for over twenty years.

Drs are loathe to give opiates because of addiction and because of the hooha coming out of the US. Yes they're addictive but if taken properly should help with the pain. Everyone needs some light in their day.

From experience no pain medication takes all the pain away. They're other medications a pain consultant could prescribe if he won't give opiates eg Amitriptyline which is good for nerve pain and is also an antidepressant. There's others available too. Can't think of them off the top of my head. I think a referral to a pain consultant should be your next course of action. Good luck.

Also, found this link about pain meds from a article on this site

theros.org.uk/information-a...

Jennyjenny2 profile image
Jennyjenny2

I have wedge fractures in my spine, lumbar and thoracic areas

While dealing with the fractures, I used a red and near infra red pad across the areas at the time of the fractures and gained huge relief!!

I still use the pad, mostly daily. It goes for 20 mins then turns itself off. While suffering extreme pain, I would turn it on, then press ‘on’ button several times in a row. It was the only way I could get sleep. Once I started using the pad, I found I didn’t need to take any drugs for pain relief.

Hope this helps.

Kimm4 profile image
Kimm4 in reply toJennyjenny2

Jennyjenny2 would you have a link to the pad? I've only come across red heat lamps.

Jennyjenny2 profile image
Jennyjenny2 in reply toKimm4

Here is the link Kimm4

wellred.com.au/

I hope you find pain relief should you purchase it. I found Dr Catherine Hamilton very helpful and friendly. There are many wonderful testimonials on their site

I am so thankful I stumbled across the therapad. I could not have got through those 5 months in bed without it. I put it on everything! From my aching bones, sore foot etc. Whatever aches, put it on it! I’ve often wondered if it helps fibromyalgia. My friend has chronic pain in her feet and has never been able to find relief. She sat with her feet on the pad for 2 x 20 mins and noticed improvement. Another friend borrowed mine for 2 days for his back pain, so then went and bought one!

I have it in the back of my head that it could regenerate bones. I haven’t read it, but I just ‘feel’ it. I’m hoping anyway.

Good luck.

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