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End-Stage Liver Disease physical pain
My mother has end-stage liver disease. My question is how much pain goes along with it? Enough to need a prescription of methadone? The reason I ask is b/c my mother has a history of drug addiction & while her liver specialist isn't prescribing the methadone to her, another physician is. She recently spent 3 weeks with me and was absolutely fine, which means her ammonia levels were normal, she was sleeping throughout the night, up most of the day, even went shopping a couple of times, - BUT, the minute she went back home and got her prescription filled (she was without methadone the entire time she was with me b/c she forgot to bring her prescription with her) the ammonia level went back up, she's been acting clumsy, slurring her words, foggy state of mind, etc..., etc... So in my mind, this is all related to the methadone. While she was staying with me, she complained about some pain; however, she wasn't moaning & groaning, and certainly didn't seem to need anything as strong as methadone. Also, she wasn't going through withdrawals from anything else, so I know she isn't taking the methadone to treat another addiction. What's your opinion?
To answer a few of the questions (and a big thanks to all the responses!):
a) her ammonia levels have been high enough to induce severe hallucinatins, etc... She was hospitalized twice in November with ammonia levels @ 185, which as everyone knows, is very high.
b) she's getting the methadone from a doctor other than her specialist! In fact, the liver specialist won't prescribe painkillers to her at all. Of course my mom has "reasons" for seeing the other doctor - she says her liver specialist told her to see someone else for all her aches and pains, colds, etc... It just seems that he, of all people, would be able to gauge how much pain she could be in & give it to her if he thinks it's medically necessary, right!?
c) she does have lactulose. she's also been prescribe the antibiotic for ammonia build up as well. according to my grandmother, she's taking the methadone as needed but not the antibiotic.
Unfortunately, she lives 7 hours away from me. I'd love to have her up here though! I provide a stress-free environment, I love to cook, + my kids are great for her. The only problem is that she's on the transplant list for Memphis, while I'm in Chicago. Does anyone know if it would be an easy transition or would it not be wise for her to switch over @ this point?
Again, thanks for all the input! ;-)
a) her ammonia levels have been high enough to induce severe hallucinatins, etc... She was hospitalized twice in November with ammonia levels @ 185, which as everyone knows, is very high.
b) she's getting the methadone from a doctor other than her specialist! In fact, the liver specialist won't prescribe painkillers to her at all. Of course my mom has "reasons" for seeing the other doctor - she says her liver specialist told her to see someone else for all her aches and pains, colds, etc... It just seems that he, of all people, would be able to gauge how much pain she could be in & give it to her if he thinks it's medically necessary, right!?
c) she does have lactulose. she's also been prescribe the antibiotic for ammonia build up as well. according to my grandmother, she's taking the methadone as needed but not the antibiotic.
Unfortunately, she lives 7 hours away from me. I'd love to have her up here though! I provide a stress-free environment, I love to cook, + my kids are great for her. The only problem is that she's on the transplant list for Memphis, while I'm in Chicago. Does anyone know if it would be an easy transition or would it not be wise for her to switch over @ this point?
Again, thanks for all the input! ;-)
It seems this website is having some technical problems so not sure if the message will go through.
I have heard Ambien can cause some really bizarre symptoms in people, I would maybe see if that is the problem. I've heard it can cause strange behavior and strange memory loss, etc. Maybe adjusting her sleep med could use some looking into.
I would not call her doctor behind her back. Have you talked to her about these problems, is that possible? Maybe if you discuss it with her within the context of how she was at your house versus how she is at home you can come up with an answer in how to solve it. Is he eating correctly? Taking her meds with food? Is she on laculose?
Im sure this is stressful on you all, I am sorry you are going through this. I hope some adjustments can be made. Maybe something as simple as changing the sleep medication would help.
I have heard Ambien can cause some really bizarre symptoms in people, I would maybe see if that is the problem. I've heard it can cause strange behavior and strange memory loss, etc. Maybe adjusting her sleep med could use some looking into.
I would not call her doctor behind her back. Have you talked to her about these problems, is that possible? Maybe if you discuss it with her within the context of how she was at your house versus how she is at home you can come up with an answer in how to solve it. Is he eating correctly? Taking her meds with food? Is she on laculose?
Im sure this is stressful on you all, I am sorry you are going through this. I hope some adjustments can be made. Maybe something as simple as changing the sleep medication would help.
Me again........ Okay, the reason I'm trying to get to the bottom of this, i.e. is she in enough pain to need methadone - is because when she's completely out of it, my family doesn't know what to do - like, is it her ammonia level making her act like this or is it the painkillers or is it the ambien (I've read that ambien can induce some pretty strange behavior as well).
Me again........ Okay, the reason I'm trying to get to the bottom of this, i.e. is she in enough pain to need methadone - is because when she's completely out of it, my family doesn't know what to do - like, is it her ammonia level making her act like this or is it the painkillers or is it the ambien (I've read that ambien can induce some pretty strange behavior as well). Again, I don't think she's addicted to other painkillers - trust me, I'd know because my mother's had drug addictions for most of my life (dilaudid & cocaine). I'm to the point of calling the doctor who's prescribing the methadone; however, if she really needs it for pain then I'd hate to screw it up for her.
Me again........ Okay, the reason I'm trying to get to the bottom of this, i.e. is she in enough pain to need methadone - is because when she's completely out of it, my family doesn't know what to do - like, is it her ammonia level making her act like this or is it the painkillers or is it the ambien (I've read that ambien can induce some pretty strange behavior as well). Again, I don't think she's addicted to other painkillers - trust me, I'd know because my mother's had drug addictions for most of my life (dilaudid & cocaine). I'm to the point of calling the doctor who's prescribing the methadone; however, if she really needs it for pain then I'd hate to screw it up for her - again, that's why I'm asking: could the pain from end-stage liver disease be so intense as to warrant that strong a painkiller b/c I'm 99% sure she isn't being treated for an addiction to hydro's or anything else.
Me again........ Okay, the reason I'm trying to get to the bottom of this, i.e. is she in enough pain to need methadone - is because when she's completely out of it, my family doesn't know what to do - like, is it her ammonia level making her act like this or is it the painkillers or is it the ambien (I've read that ambien can induce some pretty strange behavior as well). Again, I don't think she's addicted to other painkillers - trust me, I'd know because my mother's had drug addictions for most of my life (dilaudid & cocaine). I'm to the point of calling the doctor who's prescribing the methadone; however, if she really needs it for pain then I'd hate to screw it up for her - again, that's why I'm asking: could the pain from end-stage liver disease be so intense as to warrant that strong a painkiller b/c I'm 99% sure she isn't being treated for an addiction to hydro's or anything else. And like I said, the whole time she was up here she didn't appear to be in that much pain. I seriously think this is one of those doctors who'll prescribe anything to anybody & it seriously pisses me off. Her life affects all of my family & I'd hate to think the methadone isn't necessary b/c if it's causing her ammonia levels to go up then in effect, it's killing her.
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