My brother

[ccjjcc]

I'm wondering about a new pain med they are starting my brother on - methadone.
It's in addition to the oxycodone he is already on, but which isn't relieving all the pain. He will still be taking it AND the methadone.

I'm wondering what this indicates, the fact that he now needs the additional pain med.
Also, he is on a ventilator, so I don't know how to tell when the end is coming or what it will look like, since he will still be breathing on the vent. He is in a nursing home.

 

[brooksea]

I'm sorry. I don't know what to tell you. I hope the medicine will make him comfortable as he can be, though.

 

[notme]

This is my third attempt to answer this. It's eaten three replies.

There are various reasons meds stop working. oxycodone isn't actually that strong a pain med. Methadone will likely help more. Also, over time, one tends to build up a tolerance to one med and they need to be changed.

If your brother is on a vent and a PEG, he can last a very long time, assuming that is his choice and he has no infections causing other issues. He may be very sedated at first on methadone. Over time, he'll become adjusted and not so sleepy from it.

Depending on the source of the pain --there are several other options that can be tried to relieve any pain issues.

My thoughts are with you