First off, hello to everyone. I am new here and a future nursing student.
This question has to do with my mom, who gets migraine headaches and has for the last 20 or so years.
She has what I think is a very strange care plan and it worries me that she is getting addicted to pain meds. (again, she was a oxycotin (sp) addict about 8 years ago)
Her PCP prescribes her 2 shots full of morphine each week, that she picks up on Tuesdays. Shockingly enough, whenever I happen to talk to her on a Tuesday or late Monday night she ALWAYS has a migraine. Since those 2 doses rarely get to the week's end, they end up in various ER's.
They refuse to go to the ER that is 10 mins away because of "mean doctors". She claims that the only meds that make her migraines go away are narcotics.
So they go to the ER that is about 1/2 hour away.. but only after they call to make sure a certain doctor isn't working. Sometimes when I visit, she'll have me call to ask what doctor is working the ER because she thinks they know her voice. (?)
And you can bet that whenever they are out of town on vacation, etc they will hit the local ER at least once.
I am in such a weird position because my dad totally defends her if I question anything. I am just worried about her being around to see all of her grandkids grow up.
our migraine protocol is generally about what others have mentioned.
500 mg of caffiene in a litre of NS to go over an hour.
30 of toradol IV.
and 10 of Reglan in a piggy back.
You are describing drug seeking behavior. Now,your Mom could really be having some sort of headaches, but they are more likely related to withdrawal from the meds.
At the hospital I am working at now, we are able, with agreement of the local physician, to put a patient on a care plan which states the patientwill only get narcs from the physician (Unlessof course they break a bone or something like that.) This cuts down on visits, andsince we are the only ER for about 200 miles, it seems to work.
I can only speak from my own treatment and what I have seen in the hospitals.
I have a history of horrible migraines, sometimes lasting for days. I am prescribed a Rx specifically for migraines to take when I feel it coming on, and can repeat the dose within a certain time frame if necessary. I try to drink lots of water, as dehydration can make it worse or cause it. I also kept a diary and found what triggered my headaches, and try to avoid those things.
When all these things don't work, I will go to my family dr or to the ER if its late or on the weekend, and they will give me a shot of Toradol with Phenergan. I go home, sleep for hours and wake up a new girl. (And it's been three years since I've had to do that.)
So truthfully, I can only agree with the other posters that this does not sound like appropriate therapy for migraines, and that your mother may have slipped back into her former "habit". I hope she and your father get some care and realize what's happening.:redpinkhe
Hi! I hope things will be getting better for your family soon. I forgot to mention that I've also taken Midrin for my migraines, but Midrin only helps ease the pain; sometimes the migraine will come back. I find that my best option has been preventative medicine and, like another poster mentioned above, avoiding things that trigger the headaches. Stress can be a biggie, but it's hard to avoid stress sometimes, especially being a new mommy! Certain foods do also trigger migraines, and one of them is smelling microwave popcorn when it's cooking. lol. I know that's odd, but I've been that way for years. Anyway, hope things get better and that your mother gets treatment to prevent any headaches, and also to get off of morphine. Best wishes!
I also used to be very suspicious of people who come to the ER with Migraines demanding narcs, until I also started to get them. My neurologist tried ever Migraine med he could (Midrin, Caffergot, Maxalt, Imitrex, etc.) but nothing touched it. Ended up with an Rx for Mepergan and Ultram. Honestly nothing takes my Migraines away but time. The meds just help me to make it through what may take up to 4 days to go away. I asked my Dr. to swap the Mepergan for Percocet because it was really too much ( I thought so anyway). I guess my point (if there really is one) is that your Mom's Migraines might be legit, but how she handles them sounds like she has given up trying to live a normal life and decided to stay stoned as a way to alleviate the pain. I'm not one to judge, but if it were my Momma I would be concerned too! Good Luck.
HIPAA keeps your mom's doctor from talking to you, but doesn't mean that you can't talk to HIM (or her, to be PC)
You could call and tell the doc what your mom is doing like you described here. The doc may not realize the lengths your mom is going to in order to get morphine. He (or she!) might not be able to give you much feedback, but at least you will have the knowledge that her medical provider has a clear idea of what is going on.
Sorry to hear about your situation, sounds really awful for you!!
I suffer from migraines and have done for approximately 22yrs now! I am prescribed beta blockers as preventative medication to prevent the onset of migraine as I do get severe migraines so have to take preventative meds. As other posts have mentioned I have had to cut out certain foods from my diet to prevent the onset. I still get them even on the meds, stress is a factor and certain lights and patterns I've found to bring it on. For when I get migraine I take sumatriptan, which is supposed to bring the serotonin levels right again which are responsible for loss of vision etc during a migraine, from what I understand.
Anyways, I have never known through my own experience, my family's or from patients anyone who has been prescribed narcotics as regular meds for recurring migraines, seems strange to me. I'm not saying that its impossible as I don't know, but I've just never heard of it before.
Anyways I really hope you get everything sorted soon!! Take care xx
KatieBell
875 Posts
our migraine protocol is generally about what others have mentioned.
500 mg of caffiene in a litre of NS to go over an hour.
30 of toradol IV.
and 10 of Reglan in a piggy back.
You are describing drug seeking behavior. Now,your Mom could really be having some sort of headaches, but they are more likely related to withdrawal from the meds.
At the hospital I am working at now, we are able, with agreement of the local physician, to put a patient on a care plan which states the patientwill only get narcs from the physician (Unlessof course they break a bone or something like that.) This cuts down on visits, andsince we are the only ER for about 200 miles, it seems to work.
I wish you the best for your Mom, and for you.