Pain relief?

[Wildshire]

Which techniques does everyone utilise when the pain gets too bad and the meds just aren’t doing the trick? Mum has been in severe pain with her shoulder for several hours today plus she’s feeling sick and I live 300 miles away...

[Hidden]

Hello we involved the local palliative team through a request from the GP, as they are pain specialists. Or the MSA nurses may have suggestions, you can phone them. I think a proper assessment would be the way to go. Kx

[Wildshire in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I called G-Docs last night trying to get someone to pay her a visit but after being on hold for 20 mins I gave up. We will try calling the MAS nurse this morning though I suspect more meds will be the answer. Mums consultant has been on annual leave so hasn’t even officially diagnosed MAS yet though the nurse has made contact, Another thread suggested involving a local hospice which I hadn’t thought of (similar to your palliative team I suspect). I guess I just need to keep on top of it and try to make sure that everyone understands what she’s going through. All I could do was suggest she orders a new audio book to try to take her mind off things... how lame was that?

[TK-67]

I would contact your mum's local hospice for help - they are the ones who have helped us and mum's nursing home in managing pain meds, they have also been the ones who have given us direction on benefits and coordinating things. MSA is a real juggling act with meds - a lot of what she has been on for PD will no longer work in the same way and can actually make things worse - mum's pain decreased with a decrease in the drugs. It needs a consultant with a real understanding of MSA - it is well worth the effort in finding one. The MSA Trust nurses can also give you info to give the GP and nurses - it's worth remembering that they are unlikely to know anything about MSA - you will end up quickly knowing a lot more than them?

[Wildshire in reply to TK-67]

I will do that thank you. Yes I am rapidly starting to realise that about the lack of knowledge.. and I suspect you are bang on about the meds... mum definitely doesn’t want to take any more (they’ve gradually increased the dosage over the last few weeks so she’s on double) and all that does is give her withdrawal like symptoms whenever they are due. She herself suspects that the sick feeling she’s getting is down to reflux bc of the medication.. I’m going to try calling the MAS nurse this morning and will take direction from her but I will also ask about hospice/palliative care - my granny (Mums mum) also very recently passed away which is no doubt hugely contributing to mums distress right now but.. I got to see just how amazing the palliative care team were for her so I think that’s great advice.