Elderly father with severe stomach pain - help???

Posted , 3 users are following.

My father is 70 years old, and suffers with bronchiectasis & myelodysplasia. He is currently taking a cycle of antibiotics & steroids to combat a virus, as he's always at risk of picking up an infection. He's been experiencing lower-back pain recently, which I think is due to all the coughing fits he's been having, so he self-medicated and took the painkiller 'Tramadol' to relieve the strain of coughing. This barely touched the back pain, but now he has a severe abdominal pain, constipation, and can't move his head without retching. We're currently waiting for his doctor call him back before we can arrange a home visit. I was wondering if anyone had any input in the meantime?

Many thanks for your time.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    Hello Harry I'm sorry that your father isn't feeling well.  Has he stopped taking the Tramadol?  

    All of the drugs that you mention can cause problems.  Tramadol, constipation & breathing difficulties anongst other things.  Antibiotics can cause nausea & abdominal pain, steroids can also cause abdominal pain, particularly if the are not the enteric coated type.

    If your father's pain is very severe, disabling, then call an ambulance if your GP's surgery can't arrange a doctor for you to speak to.

    Good luck Harry & your father.

    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply, mrsmop. It means a lot. 

      My father took 200mg of Tramadol (4 x 50mg) on Saturday but hasn't touched them again since. In the past he has always avoided painkillers unless they were absolutely necessary. It's only because the back pain was so unbearable and it was the weekend (so he couldn't see a doctor) that he took them.

      The doctor visited and said she will prescribed him something to relieve his stomach pains. I've got to go and pick it up in a couple of hours. I really hope it can work fast because he's so tired and frail at the moment. Really needs some sleep and a good meal, but he has no appetite what with the stomach pain & constipation.

  • Posted

    Hi,

    Self medicating is never worth the risk.

    I was prescribed tramadol for my cervical spine problems, immense, continuous pain, it didn't touch it.

    Your father is possibly constipated because of the tramadol, it can have that effect, also possibly retching because it can upset an unprotected stomach.

    Hopefully the doctor will give some fast acting counter measure.

    Best wishes,

    Mike.

    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply, mike09523. I appreciate it.

      Yes, it turns out you're never too old to learn something new. I don't think my dad will be touching Tramadol again in a hurry!

      Took the best part of the day but the doctor finally came. She checked his lungs with the stethoscope and said his breathing is clear. She seemed to agree that it's probably an adverse reaction to the Tramadol, and will prescribe him with "something to calm his stomach" and some electrolytes. Hopefully they can kick in fast and he can get some much-needed rest. He's barely slept or eaten for days.

  • Posted

    Hi,

    Perhaps if your father cannot face eating food he may be able to take nutritional drinks

    . As long as he gets his fluids he should begin to recover.

    Best of luck,

    Mike.

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