2007-07-05 09:00:26 · 10 answers · asked by billygoat 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Not a good sign.
Most pain meds create lethargy [tiredness].
She could be hooked big-time.
If you don't trust the physician who gives them to her,
take her for a second opinion, and fast.
Even a primary care doctor can help.
She may need to be detoxed off those meds.
It needs to be done easily, not necessarily just because of her age, but also because of the withdrawals.
If she won't listen to reason, call her doctor, and say that you know they aren't allowed to share information with you, perhaps, because she has to sign a release for them to talk to you.... but just tell them you don't want information --- you want to GIVE them information about her problem, and you are very concerned.
God bless you, may you get her help soon.
2007-07-05 09:06:19 · answer #1 · answered by C Sunshine 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My Mother was also addicted to pain meds to,she was 82 I think at 86 it would not be a good idea to put her through withdrawal,I left my mother alone and she was fine as long as she had her pain pills lets face it at that age I am sure she has all types of pains .If she is in pain at her age she should be left alone and should not suffer.My mother pass away at 83 and I know she was not in pain when she died I see no since in making someone that old suffer in anyway,mental or physical.
2007-07-06 07:29:02 · answer #2 · answered by Kathy C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many elderly people become anxious, it just seems to happen to the elderly. Have a talk with her medical doctor about her addiction to the pain medication and see if the doctor can change the treatment program, so that she feels less anxious and relieved of pain.
It's very difficult of taking care of your parents as an adult. They want to still treat you as the child and they don't realize that they need the help. The role reversal is not easy.
2007-07-05 09:07:07 · answer #3 · answered by Cherokee Billie 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like you need to make an appointment with your mother’s doctor. Both of you need to go in, and bring every pill bottle in her house that you can find. You will want to set up the appointment with the doctor letting them know in advance that you are there to go over all of your mom’s medications, the proper uses, doses, and any possible interactions. Also let them know your concerns with her anxiety. Talk with your mom before the appointment; ask her to be honest with you about her pain levels. She may be having more pain that she lets on since she may not want to worry you. Her anxiety may also be a sign of an under laying illness, or she may be trying to cut back on her pain meds and having some mild withdrawal symptoms.
Depending on the pain medication that your mom is taking she may have very severe withdrawals if you try to get her off of them on your own. She may need to be admitted to the hospital to go through supervised withdrawals, or a step back schedule set up. She may also just be following her doctor’s orders on the prescriptions and not questioning what they are prescribing her, the dose, etc. You can become addicted to pain medications at any age, so discussing her options with the doctor will put both of your minds at ease.
2007-07-05 09:24:15 · answer #4 · answered by Robin C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At that age she needs to have her medications adjusted. The pain medication might be making her anxious. I have never heard of anyone at that age being addicted to pain medication, however there must be people that are in pain and need it.
2007-07-05 09:04:11 · answer #5 · answered by kjrjekjrje 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have to understand where she is in life. She is probably terrified of dying or at the very least getting sick.
Just try and understand her as best as you can. Unfortunately after taking narcotics for a while there is dependency and some people just can't function without it.
2007-07-05 09:05:51 · answer #6 · answered by m_c_m_a_n 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try putting her on an anti-anxiety pill and then try weaning her from the pain meds...maybe if she's less anxious, she'll need the pain meds less?
2007-07-05 09:03:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anne 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can find help from her doctor or better, if you can find one who has some training in gerontology
it is necessary to know if she has real pain or reason for her anxiety; is she isolated? does she have social contacts or is she lonely? has she had a recent fright or illness?
2007-07-05 09:06:57 · answer #8 · answered by hwatease 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure she is under doctors' supervision and try and wean her off the pain medicine.
2007-07-05 09:03:28 · answer #9 · answered by stella 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Put her to sleep.
2007-07-05 09:50:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋