Weird family situation and Gp being awkward about pain management

[juicygirly]

Can someone please advise me on the role of the Gp in a persons cancer treatment journey.

It's an extremely difficult family situation with certain members hiding information from the rest of us but we think it's spread to mums bones now. Even she doesn't know. But she's just lying here at home in severe pain in her neck and knee thinking it's arthritis.

I've made her an urgent appointment with her Gp today to speak to her Gp about what he can do for pain management. I've spoken to him before and all they've prescribed is co codomol.

Can a Gp prescribe morphine? She needs pain relief and fast.

[LineysRun]

My father had liquid morphine at home, which his GP prescribed. Oramorph, I think it was.

Sorry you're going through this. It's bloody awful, isn't it? Especially if there's communication issues.

[juicygirly]

lineys it's a nightmare. Thank you, I'm going with her today hopefully so will suggest that. The family situation is ridiculous. Makes everything so much worse

[tribpot]

Is this a phone appointment? I would doubt a GP would prescribe morphine over the phone, esp without a cancer diagnosis in the relevant areas. But yes, a GP can prescribe morphine. It isn't easy to get hold of, for obvious reasons.

I hope your mum is made more comfortable soon.

[Coldhandscoldheart]

They can prescribe morphine. They may not. Have you booked a double appointment? It sounds as if you could use one.

It is unusual nowadays for the patient not to be well informed about what's happening. Your mum may know more than you realise.

Does she have an oncologist you can call?
Also ask for referral to district nurses & it if mobility is a problem.
And referral to McMillan may help.
Sorry a bit stilted on phone & at work.
Hope it goes okay & you get answers you need.

[juicygirly]

trib no its a face to face appointment. I live in another city but am here to stay since the weekend and have seen how much she's suffered over the weekend - shocked that those family members who have been witnessing it/looking after her haven't done something about pain management. Co codomol is barely scratching the surface.

[Stuffofawesome]

If it has spread she may be eligible for hospice services. They are great at painight management and will be much more accessible when you need them the other services. If appropriate your mum may wish to appoint Lasting power of attorney for health and welfare to someone she trusts in family for if a time comes when she is too unwell to make her own decisions.

[Tobuyornot99]

for you. Why doesn't your Mum know about the progression of the cancer? Are the Doctors speaking to her directly or to another family member? It's really worrying to hear about things like this, when the patient is meant to be at the centre of their own care

[juicygirly]

She doesn't speak English and it's usually my brothers who attend the oncologist reviews and things with her.

I think they've found out and hidden it from her/not interpreted it truthfully to her, and they've also waited for and hidden the letter that's come through after the results were discussed.

Now my sisters and I have found out through a doctor friend at the hospital who has taken a risk to check records and inform us about the progression of the cancer.

In the meanwhile, she's just lying there believing it's her arthritis and no one is doing anything about the pain.

It makes absolutely no sense.

[Stuffofawesome]

Tell the GP what your brothers have done. They will have copies of letters and can explain it to her.

[Stuffofawesome]

And your doctor friend has broken the law

[juicygirly]

I know he has broken the law but he's aware of the awful family dynamics since the beginning, is aware of the severe pain mum is in without any proper pain relief as a result and knows we are desperate to get her the proper care rather than hiding letters like my brothers and pretending it's arthritis. Ffs, I am so angry.

[Tobuyornot99]

Call the safeguarding unit at your Local Authority, this situation is ridiculous

[Babyroobs]

Yes Gp's can prescribe morphine. They will start at a low dose and build up if needed. Then she might need starting on a slow release morphine tablet or a patch. to get good pain control.

[Coldhandscoldheart]

It's occurred to me, you could also request a note to be added to her hospital records requesting an independent interpreter for all appointments.
They might not be able to guarantee it, but it should help & possibly raise the possibility that there's an issue.
It is good practice not to use familial interpreters except in emergency.

[Screamifuwant2gofaster]

Your friend would be likely to lose his job if this was discovered and it could be. I am shocked that a doctor would do this. I've known of people lose their jobs in similar situations.
Family should not be used as interpreters unless it's an emergency or patient has requested this.