I'm single and sole caregiver for mom who is 91 and lives with me now. She had a stroke in 2016, moved from cane to walker, was recovering well, but was injured during therapy in 2017 causing a torn rotary cuff, ganglion cyst on shoulder that cannot be removed, and additional issues and fears developed. Since the stroke, she's on Plevix and baby aspirin. She is truly allergic to almost everything and cannot take pain meds so only lives on aspirin for pain. Recently, her arthritis pain, muscle pain have taken it's toll and she seems in constant pain. For her age, she's active and we have moved around more than most on drives, shopping, trips, but this past 3 or 4 weeks, arthritis is fierce. Thanks, Marc
My Mom was on Gaba but we took her off because we (Sis & self) saw Mom going through major changes! Not good changes! She was sleeping ALOT. As it turned out she had a hemorrhagic stroke. We can’t be sure that the GABA had anything to do with it. Again she’d been prescribed & had been taking this for years. I think it may have been for depression.
Thank you.
Pat
Although Mom cannot take NSAIDs due to stomach issues she often takes one extra strength buffered aspirin in the morning with her breakfast. As long as we can reduce inflammation, pain seems manageable without narcotics.
Recently we started using a walk in tub with heated air bubbles to circulate the water for a 30 minute or so hot/warm (95-100) bath with Epsom salts followed by a complete application of a good lotion and some range of motion exercises. We can do the hands, wrists, elbows, feet and ankle exercises during the bath, others afterwards. So far 3-4 baths a week is reducing inflammation and pain without causing any skin problems. Mom's skin actually seems to have improved a bit and she is complaining a lot less about itching. Although these tubs can be expensive, I was able to find one for just under $2500 (including faucet and handheld shower head) that my family installed for us. The air bubbles circulate the water but since the water from the tub doesn't go thru any pump, there's no extra cleaning requirements like whirlpool tubs. Because there's a heater that warms the air bubbles, the water maintains a constant temperature during the bath.
The only thing that would be worrisome about so many baths would be UTI’s. My Mom has had 8 straight in a row. Now she’s on antibiotics for 8 months.
What do you mean she lived on aspirin (how many would that be)?
Do you mean truly allergic or intolerant to other drugs - as so many are similar to aspirin I'm trying to get my head round that?
How did she get a torn rotator cuff whilst having physio therapy?
Sorry for the questions.
If your mother is 91, she is certainly entitled to HomeHealth and St. Lukes also does Home Hospice. Look into it and ask what they have for pain.
I also use Topricin My Fibro Cream, it is a lotion you can use on face, no odor. Check out the Topricin website as they have a variety of pain creams etc.
Mom can't take most pain meds but found Tylenol helped a lot during a spell with acute back pain from degenerative disk.
Some folks do well with the OTC preparations with capascin (hot peppers) that increase circulation to the area. Those irritate my skin too much.
Heat helps loosen the joints as well. My hubby likes a hot shower in the morning for his back arthritis.
Cold helps with pain after exercise. I have used a cold solid rubber ball that I keep in the freezer to "roll on" sore points.
Also, physical therapists remind me that "motion is lubricant". I find my stiffness is worst in the morning, but moving helps "loosen" it up. Try gently moving all her joints in all directions in the mornings (called passive range of motion, Your mom should move all her joints in all directions throughout the day (called active range of motion which also works her muscles). You can also ask a doctor to write prescription for physical therapy to learn exercises that she can do that will help strengthen muscles and protect her joints.
Happy to hear we help, that is what we all want?
Help one another?
we are all together in age?
I have not had much luck with Aspricream but that's just me.
Lidocaine worked well for a few friends of mine. If you need stronger than the over the counter one that is 5% but you can get higher you have to "look out side the box" for the higher % . Go to the section of the store that sells condoms and there is a product that will desensitize.....The lidocaine in those products is almost 10%.
By the way when you say she "seems in constant pain" what are the indications? At some point some people will complain about pain even if there is little pain. If she is active and doing day to day activities I would not worry much. If she stops those activities that would be a concern. Pay attention to facial cues. Grimace, furrowed brow are two indications.
Would she be a candidate for something like a cortisone injection that might help? Then again you do not want to cause more pain by trying to alleviate some.
Aspircream works very well. So do lidocaine patches you can get those over the counter or by prescription.