Complex pain scenario. Any advice?

[shipdude]

My wife is dying of a super strep infection with lymphedema cellulitis in her legs while on high power antibiotics and gamma blood infusions for 5 years. She has advanced osteoporosis at age 55, diabetic, steroid dependant, multiple vertabrae compression fractures-one with a bone chip in the spinal canal (she's already on fosamax). She is on 150mg of time-released morphine a day, and ora-morph and oxycodone for pain spikes and breakthrough pain. She is still crying and screaming much of the time for the pain. Her heart beats so rapidly at such times that it does not complete each beat and her blood pressure drops (tachycardia)--making her look over medicated due to lack of O2 to her brain, when in fact just the opposite is true with regard to the pain medication. The Neurosurgeon says nothing can be done surgically and the interventional pain specialist says cauterizng the affected nerves is too risky and could actually make her pain worse. She can't fight the infection in her legs, and I just want her reasonably comfortable without being a zombie. At this point, however, she's better off as a smiling zombie than a tormented person aware of everything. Everything's been tried that we and our doctors know of. Any thoughts?

[sandee1818]

Have you asked about any clinical trials or medicines that have not been FDA approved yet for your wife's condition? When my Mom was in the ICU and given no chance we researched these and the DR helped us get a new medicines that helped her. She came out of the ICU because of the new medicine! If you would like more info Please contact me. I am so sorry you and your wife are going through this, I have been there and I know how difficult it is!

[Toomanyadvil]

I'm so sorry for what your going through. I wish I had a good answer for you. Is your wife in the hospital or at home?
Have you spoken to the pain specialist about geting your wife more medication to make her more comfortable or switching to a different medication. Morphine is not as strong as oxycontin but depending on dosage they may be giving her something equal to a dose of a stronger medicine, admittedly I dont know much about morphine dosing.  Maybe they will be willing to make a switch.
I have heard of home care nurses that can come and make sure that someone is as comfortable as they can be, maybe if you can look into that they will be able to use more medication safetly. Thats just an idea though as I dont know if thats possible.
They may be trying to give your wife as much medicine as possible without having her feel like a zombie, but if its not enough then you should defenitly insist they do something more whatever it is.

My thoughts and prayers are with you both
TMA