Due to the opioid epidemic, my mother's NP has prescribed 2 caplets a day of Norco. My mother is 94 and is in severe pain everyday. When I have asked the NP to increase the dosage or add another pain med in addition to the norco, she always recites how she's worried about addiction. I think this is so ridiculous. Who really cares if a 94 year old woman becomes addicted to a med if it relieves her suffering? My mother mons every morning and during the day from bursitis. Does anyone know of an over the counter med that is effective in between taking the norco? She already lives on a heating pad. Additionally physical therapy has never helped her before. I'm lost.
At age 73, I have both bursitis and a frozen shoulder in the same shoulder and it causes unbearable pain. My doctor gave me a steroid injection this past week. While initially it hurt when he gave me the shot and the following day, by the next day I could actually stand the pain. Your mother's doctor shouldn't object to giving her a shot or referring her to someone who can. The shot can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. If he won't, I would file a complaint or an appeal with her insurance.
There are some CBD creams without THC that also help with the pain but they aren't cheap. If you want a recommendation, send me a message.
Keep fighting for your mom - you are a good daughter!
I honestly didn't think it would do squat BUT it did!!. He went to outpatient PT 2 X a week for 8 sessions.They gave me exercises for him to follow up at home each day too.( stretchy bands, etc)
While my dad was not happy to do them, I cheerleadered him on. It did take a few months but he has no issues now. I still have him do his few exercises 3X each day, he needs to stay strong to stay with me. ( been here 13 yrs after a stroke)
Good luck with your mom. Susan from Indiana
Extra-strength Tylenol taken at the same time as the other pain meds can boost the effect of the pain meds.
A cortisone shot can help too, but you can't have those too often.
And yes to seeing an orthopedist. Physical therapy, some massage and strengthening exercises, stay hydrated, ice. Everything a professional athlete would do!
It's worth it, you only get one body for life.
So, until/unless you can find her more Rx pain meds on a regular as needed basis, I'd alternate ibuprofen with acetominophen, use Lidocaine patches at the area of pain, and also alternate the heating pad with ice packs. Going back & forth between ice and heat seems to help with swelling/nflammation AND pain. When my 93 y/o mother has pain, the patches really DO help her. She uses the Icy/Hot ones while my DH uses the RX Lidocaine ones.
Best of luck. Hope some of the suggestions work