hospice and pain control for mom- update Mom Passed on 4/9

[zumbergc]

Hi Everyone, Sorry to hear about everyone's recent losses.

Mom is working w/ hopsice, breast cancer mets lots of places but causing the most destruction in the liver (its swiss cheese like w. cancer).

Her pain levels are starting to increase rapidly.

She was on 40mg of oxycotin and now increase to 60 mg.

She takes oxyfast for break thru pain, i believe it was every 2 hrs, now every hour as needed.

She just got neurotin (gabapentin) 300 1xday, and they just switched it to
100 breakfast 100mg lunch and 300 mg at night on sat.

I was wondering if you others had found that their pain meds stopped working, if they switched to a liquid it would start working better?
Since mom's liver isn't working very well (bad liver enzymes 3-4 weeks ago, and i'm assuming they have only gotten worse). Should we be asking them to switch to one of the morphine pain patches.

besides the pain patch, are there other liquid, or under the tongue meds?


Thanks a bunch
Connie

 

[LuvOrlando]

I have no info to help you but am wishing you strength during this difficult time.

 

[safetymom]

I don't have an answer either but I will be keeping you all in my prayers.

 

[Rustysmom]

My mom just went through hospice, but I don't know what to tell you. They only had her on 10mg oxycontin every 12 hours, and I don't think it was enough. On top of that she could take 5mg oxycodone every 3 hours and then roxanol liquid every hour as needed. That was just in the last couple of days though. Nothing really helped her pain by then. She also had Fentynl patches and they didn't work at all.

I'm very sorry about your Mom and hope she is able to get some relief.

 

[zumbergc]

Thanks for the prayers and drug info. much appreciated!!

There are so many different pain drugs, so thanks for the input.

Connie

 

[just2girls1]

Connie~

Sorry to hear your Momis in so much pain. There is liquid pain meds. Most can be made into a liquid, even morphine. The hospice nurse should be able to help her with it. The liquid pain meds are often made to be absorbed through the cheek/gum area as opposed to having to be swallowed completely. Sending warm thoughts your way.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

My mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer. We are waiting to hear what the oncologist has to say on Wednesday.

I am so sorry to hear about your mom! I hope the Dr. is able to come up with a plan to effectively manage her pain!

 

[LeahA]

My mom was on morphine every two hours for the pain, it was in a liquid form. I'm not sure about the dosage, my dad usually gave it to her, and my sister-inlaw helped alot with the pain medication. She at first had a pill that she took 1 every 12 hours, that didn't work. When hospice came in they started with that and increased it to the liquid form.

 

[julm26]

My mom was on hospice care for 4 months and died on Feb. 18, 2008 from Pancreatic Cancer (had mets all to liver also). At first She got roxanol (liquid morphine) every 6 hours for pain, and then could have it every four hours, then by the end every 2 hours. The liquid form was much easier for her to take, in the end she just slipped away quietly from us.

i will keep you in my prayers...

 

[zumbergc]

We moved mom over to the 24 hour hospice center in NW ohio. she is now getting pain meds sub-q (under the skin)-morphine. She was having problems swallowing yesturday. So, today no liquids, just spunging her mouth and lips to keep things moiste.

Her journey is coming to an end unfortunately.
Keep us in your prayers.
Connie

 

[Rustysmom]

I'm so sorry. Your family is in my prayers. I'm glad that at least that hopefully she's getting good pain control.

 

[safetymom]

zumbergc, I am sorry to hear about your Mom. I will keep you all in my prayers.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I will keep you all in my prayers.....I hope that she is painfree now that she is getting better pain medication... Hugs to you too as you go through this.

 

[wuv tigger]

your family is in my thoughts & prayers!

My mil too battled cancer. I think the hospice team was wonderful. We have had the privilege of using Hospice in MD, VA and NY.

God bless your family this week.

Judy

 

[zumbergc]

Just an update. Mom passed away on April 9th at 4am in the morning. It was a rough time over at hospice seeing mom decline so fast. Hospice staff was wonderful and very helpful.

Towards the end morphine every 2 hours, and then later every hour to keep her comfortable. Since mom wasn't swallowing, she got a under the skin line put in (sub-q), where they administered the drugs (different lines) morphine and the motrin. At first they tried her arm, but the area wasn't absorbing the drug, so they moved it to the leg.

Its been a rough couple of weeks, preparing everything for the funeral, and then packing up moms clothing. .

Gotta go, cat is throwing a fit.

Connie

 

[Rustysmom]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Connie, I am so sorry to hear of her passing. I know how busy these days can be, please take care of yourself and know that you all did everything you could for her.

Hugs..

 

[LeahA]

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. I loss my mom 3 weeks ago, and I still don't believe it. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[safetymom]

I am so sorry for your loss. Try to take comfort in your memories.

 

[Mskanga]

I am so sorry for your loss ......tons of hugs for you .