Tramadol Question

Rob's Daughter

Hi All -

So my mom is in assisted living on Hospice care for over a year now. She is in a Broda chair and they now use a Hoyer lift getting her into bed/shower etc. She is down to 95 pounds. I would say late stage 5 or early 6.

She has been taking Tramadol 2x a day (morning and night). A Hospice nurse called and said that after a shower or maybe it was during a shower the aid noticed my mom was in pain. The hospice doctor examined my mom and now she will be taking Tramadol a third time or at lunch time each day… so now 3x a day.

I asked the nurse as to what pain my mom is in…. and her answer was just that she is so thin. I don't think that's the reason…. but can anyone explain the pain a patient can be in? My mom is wide eyed and stares straight ahead… doesn't make eye contact… doesn't really speak too much, only when spoken to. They usually put her back to bed after lunch… trying to get her off her hips (since she has no fat cushion) and is usually asleep in the afternoons. Is this a side effect of the Tramadol… What can I expect of this 3 dose?

Its all good… I want her comfortable as possible… my mom is safe and cared for. Just more curious…

Quilting brings calm

It’s possible that your mom being so thin is contributing to pain because she has no padding. It’s possible that your mom is making noises or gestures and the staff is assuming that means she is in pain and unable to communicate it.