Seeking Solutions for Persistent Pain
Last autumn, my mother, a 65-year-old woman standing 5’3” and weighing 175 pounds, visited her primary caregiver who diagnosed her with arthritis in her lower back along with a pinched nerve, though the exact location of the pinched nerve was unclear to us. By mid-January this year, she began experiencing intense pain that extended from her right hip down to her toes, leading her to seek help at an urgent care facility where she received a sciatica diagnosis. The medical team prescribed her pain relief medication, which she utilized when pain flared up, allowing her to manage it to some extent. However, in the early hours of Saturday, I found myself driving her to the emergency room due to an overwhelming inability to cope with her pain, despite her ongoing medication use. Her discomfort continued from her hip all the way to her toes on the right side. In the ER, she received two injections in her left buttocks—one for pain relief and another to relax her muscles—but these did not yield any improvement. Additionally, she complained of pain in her lower right abdomen, which the doctors attributed to her existing issues rather than an independent source. In an attempt to alleviate her discomfort, she tried various methods including hot and cold compresses, gentle walking, stretching, and propping up her leg, yet none provided any significant relief. Sunday brought a slight reduction in her pain, but only below the knee. On Monday, her brother took her back to the ER as she could no longer manage her agony. Despite trying multiple medications, nothing alleviated the pain, including morphine. A CT scan ultimately revealed that she was suffering from appendicitis, necessitating immediate surgery to remove the appendix. Post-surgery, her discomfort persisted, and her systolic blood pressure spiked into the low 200s, although she was eventually discharged when her blood pressure stabilized. As of today, two days after the surgery, she continues to struggle with severe pain from below her knee down to her foot, leaving her in distress. Exhausted from sleepless nights since Saturday and unable to find a comfortable position, she is desperate for solutions. She has an appointment with her primary care physician tomorrow afternoon, but uncertainty looms regarding her ongoing pain, and there’s a fear that it may not improve even after the meeting. What questions should we consider asking the doctor? Is it possible that her issue might be something other than sciatica? Any guidance on how to assist my mother in finding relief would be greatly appreciated, as I am eager to help her recover and ease her suffering.
Answers (1)
4/2/2025, 9:10:46 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm truly sorry to hear about your mother’s ongoing pain and distress. The situation you've shared is understandably concerning, especially considering her recent surgery and the persistent pain she's experiencing.
Main Points:
- Post-surgery pain management needs addressing
- Possible complications or additional diagnoses must be explored
- Prepare specific questions for her follow-up appointment
Explanation:
After surgery, particularly when complications like appendicitis are involved, it's common to experience a range of pain, but your mother's ongoing discomfort—especially since it radiates from her knee to her foot—could indicate issues that need further investigation. It's important to consider that her pain might stem from several factors, including:
- Residual effects of the surgery
- Nerve irritation or damage from the earlier sciatica diagnosis
- Possible complications from the appendicitis that are unrelated to her original diagnosis
- Muscle spasms or poor healing
Next Steps:
-
Prepare Questions for the Doctor:
- Pain Origin: What might be causing the new pain below her knee, and could it be related to nerve issues from her prior sciatica diagnosis?
- Post-surgical Pain Management: What options are available for her ongoing pain relief, especially considering her reaction to previous medications?
- Follow-Up Testing: Should we consider additional imaging (like an MRI) to assess her back and leg?
- Signs of Complications: What symptoms should we look for that might indicate complications requiring further evaluation?
-
Monitor Symptoms:
- Keep a detailed log of her pain levels, any new symptoms, and the effectiveness of pain relief methods used, including specific times and activities. This will help the doctor in fine-tuning treatment strategies.
-
Pain Management Techniques:
- Encourage her to continue gentle movement, even if it's minimal, to help improve circulation and potentially reduce discomfort.
- If she hasn't already tried, complementary therapies like physical therapy, acupuncture, or even mindfulness techniques can be beneficial for pain management.
-
Support System:
- Ensure she feels supported emotionally. Keep communication open and encourage her to express her pain and concerns candidly during her doctor’s visit.
Taking these steps can help you and your mother feel more prepared for her appointment and hopeful about finding a pain relief strategy that works for her. Remember, it's normal to feel overwhelmed in situations like this, and you're doing a wonderful job by advocating for her care.
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