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MedHelp Member's Question

Over prescribed percocet for osteoporosis

by womanbrat, Nov 05, 2001 12:00AM
My mother in laws doctor has prescribed that she take TWELVE percocet a day for the pain associated with osteoporosis.  She is obviously addicted to the stuff as she runs out before the time to get more.  During these times she in unconscious on the couch for litterally days.  She says she has no problem how ever anytime a family member needs pain medication she will try to get a hold of it.  She feels that since her doctor prescribes it everything is fine.  We feel the doctor is being totally unprofessional and is doing more harm than good.  Are there any suggestions for us to help her???
Member Comments (28)

by Witchywoman, Nov 05, 2001 12:00AM
To: womanbrat
It sounds to me like it may be time to tell her Dr. what is going on, if you haven't already.  From what you describe, it sure sounds like she is deep into the addiction process, but is not ready to admit it.  A good Dr. can talk with her about it, and come up with a contract to help her use the meds she needs for pain without abusing them. Sometimes people need someone else to give them their meds to prevent them overusing.



Just a few stray thoughts..I'm sorry this is happening with her, it sounds like a really difficult but oh so familiar situation.



love,



WW

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Nov 05, 2001 12:00AM
To: womanbrat
That story is pretty intersting.  I think that Percoset is usually prescribed at 1 every 6 hours.  But the dose can be adjusted up to eight per day maximum(don't quote me on this). So if she is running out way early, she's taking more than the prescibed amount of twelve.  Plus you say she is stealing meds from family members.  She is clearly, severly addicted to these meds and must be helped now.  I would suggest detox in the hospital and a rehab program.



I have a niece that is in similar circumstances that supposedly has RSD. She's going to have a morphine pump installed shortly in lieu of all the pills she was taking.



I've had my share of Percosets and find them to be very sedating. That's bad for a person that needs to be up and going most of the time!



Good luck!



J.B.

by IrishRose, Nov 05, 2001 12:00AM
To: womanbrat
Hi,

     What about a second opinion? Would she be open to that? Osteoporosis in itself is usually not painful unless the patient experiences compression fractures or other broken bones. The compression fractures usually occur in the spine from the vertebrae collasping on top of one another or something as simple as a sneeze or rolling over in bed can cause a fracture.

It takes a long time for a osteoporotic pt to heal and it can be hideously painful but it sounds like your mom in law is oversedated which if she is not moving around much and really out of it when she does she could be a great risk for a fall or reinjuring herself. What kind of communication do you have with her doctor? Witchywoman had some good advice about letting him/her know about the situation. Sometimes elderly people don't metabolize these medications very well and she may be able to be on another med with less sedated results, but again, the doctor needs to be consulted. If he or she is unreceptive and your mother in law is willing, try to seek out a second or even a third opinion until you can find a practioner who is a good communicator. Take care.

by katie r, Nov 05, 2001 12:00AM
To: womanbrat
I have a cousin....she get a script for 360 percodans a month...plus she wears 2 patches on her hips. I'm not sure what the patches are....I would assume they are the ones I've heard discussed here before. Anyway, when she told me about the 12 percodans  day, I was amazed! But she said that she takes them as prescribed and usually has some left over at the end of the month. I'm not sure about the extent of her injuries...I do know that she has had several surgeries and has metal rods in her body and she can't raise her arms above her head. Like I said, I was dumfounded when she told me how much she takes but I've been around her and she is always "normal." By that I mean she doesn't act sedated or overly drugged.  So.....maybe since she has been on them for years...and does seem to take them as prescribed, she is able to handle them....but in the case of your mother in law...it seems like she must really be overdoing her dosage. If she is supposed to take 12 a day, she must be getting 360 a month...like my cousin. Do you know how early she runs out? In other words, any idea how many she may be taking in a day? Seems like someone needs to be put in charge of giving her meds to her at the prescribed times....but I have a feeling she would fight that. Being an addict myself, I know I would.

But who knows....maybe she would allow it. Keep us posted...let us know how it all turns out.

Katie

by katie r, Nov 05, 2001 12:00AM
To: J.B
Hey there JB.....just a quick question. What is RSD?

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Nov 05, 2001 12:00AM
To: katie r
Just a quick answer. It is reflexive something or another dystrophy.  She explained it to me but I don't remember exactly the terminology.  To me it sounded like "phantom pain". The brain sends out a signal to the affected part of the body(her knee) but does not get a return signal due to a neurological problem.  The brain keeps increasing the signal strength to the point of intractible pain. Apparently, a lot of physicians believe this condition is "all in the head". Know what I mean?



J.B.

by katie r, Nov 05, 2001 12:00AM
To: JB
Hey, JB.....Another question....hope you don't mind. :)

With your celluitis and liver problems, has anyone in the medical field mentioned that the liver problems could cause the celluitis. I think you told me once that your celluitis started when you stepped on a nail or something??? My memory sucks so if I have that wrong, feel free to slap me upside the head and correct me. :) The reason I ask is I have had problems with celluitis and also take way too much vicadin. Sometimes I  worried that I'm screwing my liver up....the last few blood tests I've had, on some of them the liver enzyemes were high and some weren't. I don't drink.....well not much...just an occasional drink like at Christmas parties and sometimes a beer while we bar-b que but for the most part, I don't drink. As far as I know I had not stepped on a nail or anything the first time my legs swelled and turned red. Gosh....I think if mine had turned a deep purple like yours did, that would have scared me to death! But I don't remember even stepping on a piece of glass  or anything when my legs swelled for the first time. My doctor was just as baffled as I was. I could have probably talked to my dog about it and got more answers than the doctor came up with. So...is it possible that the celluitis could be coming from liver problems because of the vicadin?

by MoonSista, Nov 05, 2001 12:00AM
To: kate r
RSD is:

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome

It caused by a trauma to your arm, your leg, or where ever. It causes nerve damage which is why people that have RSD are in so much pain. There is no cure for it either, the doctor told me RSD is not well understood yet. It also can travel to other limbs, and eventually you can see how your bones change through an x-ray.

I know all of this because my mother has RSD, Hers is in her left are and now starting to travel to the right arm.

by katie r, Nov 05, 2001 12:00AM
To: moonsista
So it starts with a trauma to the effected area? For example, if someone falls and injures themselves, that could lead to RSD? My mother fell and broke her shoulder last year...she had a shoulder replacement surgery. Her arm has never been the same. Could something like that cause RSD? Why does it travel, I wonder? I may type it into a search engine and do some research.Sounds like a painful thing...sorry to hear your mother has to suffer with this.

by MoonSista, Nov 06, 2001 12:00AM
To: kate r
Hi Katie,

You asked:

So it starts with a trauma to the effected area? For example, if someone falls and injures themselves, that could lead to RSD?



Yes, falling down and breaking your wrist, ankle, etc., could cause RSD.





My mother fell and broke her shoulder last year...she had a shoulder replacement surgery. Her arm has never been the same. Could something like that cause RSD?





I really can't say, but I would look into it. Maybe you can go with her to the doctor and ask him questions. My mom has said it causes her to have a burning pain in her arm. Her RSD started from a torn rotator (spelling?) cuff, it is in her shoulder. Her left arm is always hot, and her right arm is normal.



Why does it travel, I wonder? I may type it into a search engine and do some research.



I don't know why it travels, I did read online that if it is caught before it goes in the second or third stage it could be stopped. (Don't quote me on that) I truly hope your mom doesn't have it, it breaks my heart to hear my mom cry from the pain.

Jackie

by MoonSista, Nov 06, 2001 12:00AM
To: katie r
I looked this up:

What is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome?

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) is a chronic