Permanent Epidural Pump for Pain Management

afraidinindy
afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hopefully, someone can give me some quick answers regarding a permanent epidural in the back with a pump to control my husband's intense abdominal pain. The doctor is looking at this as a method to attempt to give him relief from the horrible pain he is enduring. Anyone know anything about this - pros and cons? He must make a decision quickly as he cannot continue on as he is. Thanks for any advice you can give us.

Comments

  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #2
    Indy -

    Hospice folks are experts in pain management and may be able to give you some good advice. Have you spoken with them yet?

    - SB
  • afraidinindy
    afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
    #3
    spongebob said:

    Indy -

    Hospice folks are experts in pain management and may be able to give you some good advice. Have you spoken with them yet?

    - SB

    No as we do not see the doctor until Tuesday. I understand the doctor must do a referral for hospice care?
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #4
    afraidinindy said:

    No as we do not see the doctor until Tuesday. I understand the doctor must do a referral for hospice care?

    I think it depends on your insurance, Indy. Call Hospice and ask them. They'll know right off the bat. I know, it is hard to make that first call. We're here for you! The epidural sounds like a good thing, if they ca manage to place it. My spine, apparently is more bony than most and they can never get the thing in.... sigh... so no epidurals for me.
  • afraidinindy
    afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
    #5
    Patrusha said:

    I think it depends on your insurance, Indy. Call Hospice and ask them. They'll know right off the bat. I know, it is hard to make that first call. We're here for you! The epidural sounds like a good thing, if they ca manage to place it. My spine, apparently is more bony than most and they can never get the thing in.... sigh... so no epidurals for me.

    Thanks for the info and suggestions. I talked with hospice today and the doctor must request hospice services based upon the prognosis that death will occur within 6 months. They have not given us any timeframe so I really don't know what we're facing. He is in so much pain the past couple of days that he can hardly bear it. The home health nurse is coming out within the hour to put in some type of morphine that goes in through a needle in the stomach (sub (something) - can't remember what they called it. It this doesn't give him relief, they plan to do a permanent epidural on Monday. They will do a temporary one Monday at 3:00 and admit him to the hospital. It it helps, they will then do a permanent one on Tuesday. I'm a nervous wreck seeing him going through all of this and not being able to help him.
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #6
    afraidinindy said:

    Thanks for the info and suggestions. I talked with hospice today and the doctor must request hospice services based upon the prognosis that death will occur within 6 months. They have not given us any timeframe so I really don't know what we're facing. He is in so much pain the past couple of days that he can hardly bear it. The home health nurse is coming out within the hour to put in some type of morphine that goes in through a needle in the stomach (sub (something) - can't remember what they called it. It this doesn't give him relief, they plan to do a permanent epidural on Monday. They will do a temporary one Monday at 3:00 and admit him to the hospital. It it helps, they will then do a permanent one on Tuesday. I'm a nervous wreck seeing him going through all of this and not being able to help him.

    What about a patch? My former brother in law was very sick with MS and in great pain. His doc had him wearing a morphine patch which delivered the meds through the skin.

    just a thought.
  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #7
    afraidinindy said:

    Thanks for the info and suggestions. I talked with hospice today and the doctor must request hospice services based upon the prognosis that death will occur within 6 months. They have not given us any timeframe so I really don't know what we're facing. He is in so much pain the past couple of days that he can hardly bear it. The home health nurse is coming out within the hour to put in some type of morphine that goes in through a needle in the stomach (sub (something) - can't remember what they called it. It this doesn't give him relief, they plan to do a permanent epidural on Monday. They will do a temporary one Monday at 3:00 and admit him to the hospital. It it helps, they will then do a permanent one on Tuesday. I'm a nervous wreck seeing him going through all of this and not being able to help him.

    Lois,

    I think you need to be a little more firm with this doctor. They should have some type of prognosis and request hospice for your husband. I think that the condition that he is in speaks for itself. He should not be suffering like this. Can you complain to somebody about this doctor or see another doctor? I think you need to fight with them.

    My thoughts and prayers are with both of you.

    God Bless.

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