Resisting use of meds for pain control

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BReilly2

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My sister, who is herself a physician (pediatrician) fights any suggestion for using any meds stronger than Advil or Tylenol. Obviously we don't want to push drug use unnecessarily but she seems abnormally resistant to using anything else. Her daughter (caregiver) is suffering from her sleep being interrupted because her mother is experiencing pain at night. Any advice as to how to reason with our patient?
 
Would she be amenable to CBD oil with or without THC?

How about Melatonin at bedtime to help sleep?
 
Great suggestions. Thank you, Karen!
 
I also don't love the med options but I've had some luck with 1000 mg of Tylenol and 600 mg of advil at night, along with 0.5 mg of Ativan. I also have a prescription for Voltaren cream, which my caregiver rubs on my worst spots. Cortisone has helped my hips.

I don't envy you trying to convince a doctor, but stronger meds do feel gross and don't improve awake time for us.
 
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Thank you! That was so helpful.
 
As I wrote in your other thread, if you address the pain through non-drug methods, you can often reduce it that way, reducing the need for drugs.

As you have read from others here, too, facilitating sleep, reducing disturbances (e.g. making sure BiPAP settings are optimal, the PALS has the right pillow, padding, mattress overlay, bed frame position) and improving body positioning if needed in terms of where the transfer leaves them, are preferred to opiates that are not the answer to musculoskeletal pain by and large and of course have significant side effects including respiratory depression.

I was at a social event yesterday and was struck in casual conversation by how many people were using CBD oil for sleep and pain.
 
THC topical cream beats any prescription cream I've ever used.
 
Kim, I agree with you . The cream helps a lot although it doesn’t do much of a job on leg cramps. But a sore neck, shoulder, etc, will sure be lots better with the cream.
THC topical cream beats any prescription cream I've ever used.
 
Try to figure out what is causing the pain and treat that. If pain is caused by pressure, you may need a different mattress. If it is caused by cramping, treat that. I use an oil that has equal parts CBD/THC. It does wonders for cramping/spasticity. With a dose of .5 ml I get the benefits I am looking for without being impaired. I use 1 ml at night to work as a sleep aid.
Vincent
 
Good advice. Thank you, Vincent.
 
I use up to 75 mg. of CBD during the day and at night. I only need 5-10 mg. of THC at bedtime. For cramps, I use 1,200 mg of magnesium a day, plus magnesium oil rubbed on my feet and legs. I also take Valium, which is actually the drug of choice for cramp/fasciculation syndrome, per my ALS specialist. I overdid it yesterday so I took two Tylenol instead of one. If the pain gets real bad, I'll take 1/4 Oxy (under my tongue) after breakfast. It wears off in about 4 hours but it breaks the pain cycle so that my normal routine works.

I've tried all kinds of mattress toppers but, lately, I think I need more. My bed is adjustable but not a hospital bed. I hate to invest in a new mattress (mine cost $3,000 but is about 8 years old) and the topper was another $400. So far, I have no difficulty getting in and out of bed, rolling over, or changing positions so it's too early for a hospital bed.

Chronic pain can lead to depression and greatly reduces quality of life. I will take a chance on any med that allows me to keep going and be out of pain. However, it's a personal choice.
 
Thank you so much for sharing.
 
cbd and thc combo gives me good night sleep. Could not have made it this far without controlling pain. So much better for me than narcotics which I too avoid
 
I have been using Naproxen Sodium (500 mg), one in the morning and one at night. Helps some arthritis issues not related to ALS. I’ve been dealing with nocturnal cramps for years. For a long time I used Tonic Water (for the quinine) which helped but only with large amounts and my A1C started going up so I switched to diet Tonic water then gave up on that and accepted the pain which would wake me up 3-5 times a night. Just started Baclofen (a muscle relaxant) and I’m starting to sleep through the night. Less pain and more sleep, not a bad outcome for half a pill once before I go to bed.

Bill
 
To quote Monty Python - and now for something completely different...
Me personally, I see no reason to deny myself any and all medications to relieve pain.

I also plan on microdosing both mushrooms and LSD. I have studied the benefits of this. I may even go for the full ride. I mean what the hell I am dying and there is nothing I can do about it!
 
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