My mom is now 85 years old and has survived a severe case of cancer (2010), lives with serious bone decline issues (pain), lung problems and deep depression. She also broke her wrist at the beginning of this year and her hand did not recover its full functionality.
I had not logged in here in a long while just because I basically have had no time available as my caregiving life has become almost a 24 hours cycle. But what brings me here today is simply put, despair.
My heart is breaking seeing my mom, who has fought very hard in life with so many illnesses, literally broken with Shingles disease pain. The rash started showing last Friday but she started feeling the pain about two weeks prior. She is also experiencing a weird coming and going hearing loss since then. A day after the rash appeared a doctor came to see her and prescribed antibiotic, antivirals, antiviral cream and pain medication. I have been applying the cream every day, meds are taken but the pain is unbearable. Her blisters have opened (I guess part of the process) and they are raw is several areas. I struggle to take off the gauze every time because I pull and take her newly born skin with it. I use chamomile water to clean her wounds and to help me pull the gauze, it is terrible.
She was also diagnosed with bronchitis but assumed the antibiotic would take care of both illnesses, yet she stopped the antibiotic two days ago per dr indication. She still has low-mid grade fever, I am also afraid the Shingles is making the bronchitis secondary when it should not be,
Bare in mind my mom has a high tolerance to pain, super high tolerance. Yet this is breaking her, and when I read about Shingles my heart aches when I see it can last a long time.
This is not right, not fair.
We live overseas, so meds are likely the same as in the US but with different names. PLEASE if you have any suggestions take a moment to share them here. We are truly despaired.
I have even considered hospitalization, but now with the threat of COVID that may be counterproductive.
We believe in God, and know everything has a purpose. I am just trying to help my mom, who is so weakened with this illness. And finally, I am also concerned about myself, I have been experiencing dizziness when I move, if I lay down, get up or move my head to the sides, and I thought or think it is only tiredness, but it has been about a week now. So, I just feel this illness is breaking both of us.
again, any suggestions will be a blessing. Thank you in advance.
Use can use just tepid water and wet the old dressings before taking them off. That will make them easier and less painful when removed.
Barb’s suggestions are spot on; try to leave them open to air if possible, try a lidocaine or calamine spray . While they are draining I believe they are contagious, however, and need to be covered. Try a telfa dressing; they are designed not to stick to the serous drainage.
Ask her doctor to prescribe pain medication for her. Short term use won’t cause dependency and she needs something now. Tylenol will help a little.
Regarding the bronchitis mom is probably not breathing too deeply because of the pain. Was the antibiotic one that is given for 5 days (zpak?) I would ask the doctor how he plans to follow up on the bronchitis for resolution.
I hope those lesions heal quickly. They should begin to subside in 2 weeks or so. I’m so sorry for her.
We did not cover my husband's shingles. I had him lie with no clothes on so that the blisters were exposed to the air. We used lidocaine spray and it worked wonderfully.
I do feel for your mother; she's dealing with a combination of factors. Although this may seem lightweight, have you tried music for soothing and relaxation? It won't affect the conditions, but it may redirect her mind allowing her to relax more often.
I can guarantee that anxiety and nerves affect pain levels; when I'm experiencing that, I dream of gardening to help decrease the discomfort. When my sister was in the last stages of cancer, we listened to soft music, and therapeutic music, such as the lapping of waves on shore. It helped both of us fall asleep, something that became elusive as her cancer progressed. Maybe this would help your mother relax? And that in turn could make the pain and discomfort less prominent.
Do you have any pets? If not, you might even buy a child's toy pet. I found that helpful also when I was extremely stressed. A live, warm, furry and snuggling pet is even better. Cats and dogs are good therapy.
Some areas have animal therapy; perhaps you could check to see if there's one in your area? Or ask friends or neighbors if they'll bring their pets over, although the big caveat with that is the contact b/c of the pandemic.
As to the shingles, my only experience is when my father developed a case after having been hospitalized for 6 months, battling a combination of life threatening conditions. I don't recall for sure what kind of patches were applied, but I believe they were lidocaine. He was in rehab at that time and had outstanding care, the best I've seen anywhere.
If I recall correctly, one of the treating physicians also prescribed Buspar during the shingles period. I can't confirm whether or not it did help; my father was a strong person and didn't express his pain.
With your mother's bone decline (I'm assuming osteoporosis), do heating pads help? My sister introduced me to herbal heating pads, filled with scents of roses and geraniums. The heat is soothing; the herbs are calming. I don't know if this would help your mother's osteoporosis; it does help me though, as I use it on my back.
As to your dizziness, are you taking any BP medicine? Or Toprol XL? They can cause orthostatic hypotension and dizziness on rising. I think some calming therapy could also benefit you.
When my mother stayed with me, I played piano for her; we both relaxed, and felt much better afterward. Music really does have charms to soothe people.
I have no idea what the health care system in S. America is like, so I don't know what access you might have to other medical care, such as a different doctor. But I'm concerned about skin being pulled off as the dressings are changed on the Shingles area.
I would call your Mom's doctor on Monday and explain that despite her high tolerance to pain this pain is breaking both of you; I would request hospitalization so she can receive stronger medication than will be allowed (I THINK) to you at home. With her fragility they will be hesitant to provide such things as fenanyl patches and so on, I would just guess, though they may.
Pain is the newest vital sign. It is taken very seriously. Call her practioner early on Monday, and do know that the ER is there; I hate to suggest going through there with Covid-19 on the rise. It's the last thing she can deal with now.
I am so very sorry. This is dreadful pain, and it is horrific to feel so hopeless and helpless to do anything about it. I hope you will update us.