Mom (78) has been in and out of hospital and rehab facilities for months now -has back pain due to compression fractures-she also had covid. She’s very frail and has a feeding tube now-muscle atrophy and osteoporosis but no other chronic condition.
She’s in a group home assisted living facility now-and she is starting to walk again and dress herself but she complains constantly of pain. They tried gabapentin and she is using Tylenol-and on an anti anxiety drug. I fear that she has built up a tolerance to norco (opioid) and needs more. They offered her morphine- I don’t like the idea of my mom being on morphine and I’m not ready for my mom to be addicted to pain killers. However, many have suggested she already is addicted. Is it really fair of me to suggest she not be put on morphine?
I think she has built up a tolerance to the norco and it’s just not working anymore. She has asked for morphine multiple times when she leaves the hospital and first enters rehab-it’s very typical-and they don’t give it to her (they did in the hospital).
I really like the care she is getting and the place is very communicative -this was not the case previously. they asked me if it is ok to give her morphine-they are involving me in the decision process.
Her primary care doctor won’t prescribe any more opioids-she is concerned about addiction. She is no longer using her primary care doc since she is now Under the care of the assisted living doc.
She has been through a lot- she fell from the hospital bed the very first time she was in the hospital-this led to a lot of her current issues. She’s been uncomfortable for months-and depressed.
Does it really matter at age 78 whether she is addicted to pain meds? Is the goal just to make her comfortable and happy? She doesn’t have cancer or any underlying condition. She used to be on very little medication prior to this whole experience. My personal approach is less medication, fewer tests, minimal doc visits-but this is me and my approach to health care for myself-is it really fair to use this approach for my mom?
Having my mother on methadone gave her two years of a comfortable life. There were no adverse reactions for her. I know it is different for each individual. I was happy to have had her pain free for those two years. She still would have been here if it wasn't for the Covid virus that took her away in May.
It is a personal decision and as long as you can trust the people who are taking care of her.
Does it really matter if someone is addicted to a medication if it works? We talk about addiction to opioids, but leave out all the other addictive meds. My granny was addicted to a med, and when the doc changed it all hell broke loose - we argued and my stance was "Who cares - at her age what harm is it really doing?" The doc relented and put her back on the med.
Your mom should be as pain-free as possible. I fractured my back in three places and can tell you back pain has an effect on quality of life and I do not worry about being addicted to the opoid - better to be addicted and comfortable than not addicted and totally miserable!
The government has done a good job of convincing everyone that all opioids are bad; they are not. You mentioned she is taking gabapentin and Tylenol. You need to be aware that the FDA has issued a 'black box' warning on gabapentin because of the extremely negative side effects many people have experienced and often it has no effect on the pain. Further Tylenol causes over 500 deaths (probably a lot more) a year. And it shouldn't be taken by anyone with liver problems and it also isn't very effective for pain for most people. Opioids are far safer.
It definitely sounds like she has not received ENOUGH opioids to deal with her pain. Once she reaches that level, it's unlikely she will require more - that's also another 'addiction' myth. Those who take opioids to relieve pain do not feel euphoric, they only feel some relief from the constant nagging pain. Addicts on the other hand, keep seeking more and higher doses of anything because they are addicted to the euphoric high. There are many studies that show what the true addiction and overdose rates are - less than 1.6% of those with valid opioid prescriptions die of an overdose. And the majority of people who do overdose are younger, taking multiple opioids, and the majority of the time it includes heroin and illegal fentanyl from China. If you wish, I can email you that research so you feel more comfortable.
My mother had received opioid pain medications for years because of her spinal injuries. When she went into hospice care at 93, the doctor stopped all of her opioids 'cold turkey'. She suffered a cruel and unnecessary death 18 months later. I appealed but the doctor convinced her health plan that patients with dementia feel no pain. She called me everyday and cried her heart out but there was nothing I could do. You should be thankful that the facility cares enough to provide your mother with the proper medications to comfort her in her last days. Give her whatever she needs to feel comfortable.
Did you consult any government officials?
Thank you,
Find a provider who will work with your mother to lower her pain levels. She will be a new woman. Good luck.