Visited my father this evening who is in agony with a cancerous tumour on the kidney. He's in 24 hour care but nurses seem to be struggling to administer anything to make him comfortable. What is most effective in these situations?
They usually give morphine by pump for intractable pain. Poor man needs a pain team to help him , they go around the hospitals daily checking on those in need of pain relief. l hope he's given effective therapy soon
Thanks for reply. They had administered aromorph and diazepam along with paracetamol earlier in day. They are a specialised dementia unit and think finding it a challenge having a patient who also needs cancer support. They did do regular pain checks through the odd visit but took my father off their list, I presume due to lack of funding since the intensity of pain has remained for many months and a need still for regular reviews. Who is best to contact about checking and suggesting pain relief?
If he's in a care home his doctor, or cancer care team there should be a contact for a nurse or doctor. The care facility should be able to help him and have a good pain relief plan. Your father probably needs a review asap, If they can't help him his best shots going back to A&E to get the analgesics he needs. Unfortunately dementia unit s are not geared up for cancer care but there are hospices that are really good with intractable pain management.
lm sorry to think he's in pain and they are not addressing the problem for him. The meds he's given need to be given by the clock rather than waiting for pain as they then take longer to act.
I am very sorry to hear about your father's situation and I can appreciate your concern for him.
I think if you have not done this recently you need to contact the nurse team caring for him and tell them about this concern. If they are finding it difficult to sort out his pain they should speak with the doctor that is prescribing the pain medication to let them know about his pain, this might be a GP that works with the unit. The nurses may be able to refer your father to a community based team such as a palliative care team. Palliative care teams are often made up of specialist nurses who are experts on dealing with cancer symptoms such as pain and help support him at what must be a difficult time.
You could also ask the nurses to contact the hospital based urology team that is caring for your dad. He may have a specialist cancer nurse, often they are called a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) that your father's nurses or you good contact to let them know about his pain.
It can sometimes be difficult to deal with pain and it can be made worse by worry and stress, so I do hope that this can be made better for him.
Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
