Hello and thanks for posting

 I'm sorry to read about you mum's severe pelvic pain and can appreciate that this must be a very difficult for her.

Your mum's pain really needs to be reassessed by her cancer team especially as she is no longer responding to her pain medications, it's affecting her ability to leave the house, and is causing her despair that she's talking about ending her life.

I’m not sure if she being supported by a Macmillan nurse. They are experts in controlling cancer symptoms such as pain and can provide emotional support. If she doesn't have a Macmillan nurse involved in her care she could ask her GP or hospital team to refer her.  Coping both physically and mentally with the side effects of cancer treatments can be challenging, but it is important to remember that Macmillan nurses specialise in this type of care.

Your mum may be experiencing nerve pain and if this is the case, it tends not to respond all that well to regular painkillers. Instead medicines which have an effect on nerves, and are more often used to treat epilepsy and depression, are used as they work better. But it can take time for them to work, and there can be some trial and error to get the best choice of these medicines at the right dose to get on top of the pain. Your mum's doctors should know about this so she may already have tried these types of drugs, if not, she can ask about giving them a go, or if she is taking some already, ask if it is ok to increase the dose or about switching to another one. We have information on treating cancer pain on our website.

If your mum is feeling low and need someone to talk to day or night then she can contact the Samaritans who are there 24 hours a day.

I hope this reply is of some use at this difficult time. Give us a ring if you would like to talk anything over. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Best wishes,

Celene