Pain Medication Question

[EVuser]

Any advice for pain medication. Husband is on hospice and bedridden. Leg muscles have atrophied. He experiences pain when he is moved by caregiver. Morphine and tramadol are too strong and suppress the appetite. He has already lost a lot of weight and can't afford to lose more. He is willing to live in pain but I wish I could give him something other than tylenol.

[lbenmaor]

So sorry this is happening. Hemp Creme is a good way to help with pain.

Leslie

[mathematics]

Is it nerve pain as my husband gets a lot and has amitriptyline although been recommended gabardine by his ms nurse. Take care

[EVuser in reply to mathematics]

It's caused by muscle atrophy due to his being bedridden.

[mathematics in reply to EVuser]

Sorry I should have read your post properly all the best

[EVuser in reply to mathematics]

No problem. Have a nice day 👍

[sashaming1]

Is a CBD possible?

[EVuser in reply to sashaming1]

Unfortunately no. We have tried it but it has no effect.

[Brindisi1]

Sorry your husband on hospice. Hopefully his care team can help. Prayers

[Lespauljoe]

I am so sorry to hear about your husband’s challenges. I take tramadol 200 ER before I go to bed at night and most of the time it helps me. Fortunately, I have not experienced a loss of appetite . I also use Nucynta 20mg 3 x day. It helps but as you know, nerve pain is the most difficult to keep in check . Your husband is so lucky to have you in his corner!

[EVuser in reply to Lespauljoe]

We have tried tramadol but it suppresses his appetite. He weighs about 110 pounds and is 5'7" so he can't afford to lose anymore weight. He has told me that he does not want to take any opioids and is willing to live with the pain. Fortunately the pain only happens when the aide turns him on the bed.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

I would talk to his Dr about this, seems to me there should be some middle ground here. 🤗💕🌠

[EVuser in reply to Jesmcd2]

We work very closely with the hospice doctor, Addressing my husband's pain is the doctor's primary concern. However, the medications that are prescribed are too strong for him. They affect his appetite, cognition and make him sleepy. He prefers to be alert and put up with the pain.

[ahrogers]

I was thinking a muscle relaxer but those typically cause drowsiness. Maybe combining Tylenol and Advil will be enough to take the edge off.

[Mark1499]

If he is on hospice and morphine is to strong I would try hydrocodon. It’s a pain in the neck due to government regulations but it works better than morphine which is considered long term. They usually won’t dispense sighting addiction etc but being on hospice that’s a non issue. I will certainly pray for you both.

[EVuser]

Thank you Mark. We actually have tried it and it is too strong for him as well. So far he is bearing up on the pain without any pain meds.

[Mollyabigail]

Gosh, usually a competent hospice nurse comes up with something that works. Talk to your hospice nurse or her supervisor! There's plenty of pain meds on the market. Keep us posted!

(I take Tramadol - wish it would suppress 'my' appetite).

[anaishunter]

I would pressure the nurses or doctors to find an adequate pain killer. There are so many options, nobody should face pain nowadays.

[Shadowperson]

I haven't had any trouble with Tramadol though I am/was taking a small dosage---100mgs. daily. I spent 19 years in the reserves and national guard and was in units that required a lot of physical activity so I stayed in fairly good condition even though I retired in 1998. I, too, am 76 years of age. There is a med out there---or used to be anyway, that was given to my sister back in the 90s that increased her appetite and helped her gain weight. you may ask your doctor about that and give it a try. Like many meds, different folks have different reaction, depending on a myriad of collateral issues. Is he a veteran? If so, contact the VA and see what they have to offer if anything; they are a cumbersome system to work with. Sorry I could not be of more help.

[PWilli]

I can’t imagine how difficult it is to see your husband suffer with pain and there’s nothing you can do to help. Have you tried lidocaine patches? I use them and haven’t had any adverse reactions. Of course your husband’s situation is different than mine. I will pray that the hospice team will find something to help. Pam

[EVuser]

Thank you all for your advice. I am now giving him morphine first thing in the morning and I am delaying by 6 hours his baclofen which has a negative interaction with morphine. This seems to work.