Oxycodone

[Duchess87]

Hi my dad is in a care home and has various health problems including copd and Osteo in his legs
The pallative nurse visited this week and she would like him to start Oxycodone 5mg for his breathing . Tbh I think he’s breathing is ok , she’s never met him before and I usually pick up if he’s unwell .
I am worried about this drug & the effects it could have on him including drowsiness

any advice please?

I thought it was for pain relief OP? I'm so sorry that your DF is at the end stages of life. Are you able to talk to the Palliative Care Nurse or someone from her Team asking why it was prescribed and what the prognosis is for your DF? If not, I would talk to the Care Home Manager.

When my DF was at the end of life he too was prescribed an Opioid. Having seen other people die my priority was that he did it as pain free as possible.

It's a truly horrible tone isn't it?

If he has seen the palliative nurse I think the carehome must have asked her to visit him. His pain needs to be controlled, what is worrying you, is he in bed or walking around able to join in with activities.

My dad isn’t end of life , he has got health issues . He was in and out of hospital with chest infections due to the copd , every time he went in he came out deteriorated, hospitals are the worst places for the elderly .
we had a meeting with his GP and agreed that he be treated in the care home with familiar surroundings & less chance of further infection
This is working well he likes his room and especially the tv .
The pallative nurse visits once a month to talk to him and how he’s feeling he was on a small dose of sulphate morphine but a blood test revealed that it wasn’t doing his lungs any good so the nurse recommended Oxycodone he’s only had a few doses so far
I went to see him yesterday & he seemed zoned out falling asleep so this is my concern

He doesn’t really walk much and has a wheel chair but tbh I don’t want him doped up

Im an elderly nurse and they’ll have probably assessed that his kidney function wasn’t good with the morphine. Morphine also helps breathing but isn’t a good option really when an elderly persons kidneys aren’t great so oxycodone is a lot better in preventing further kidney damage

you should ask to speak to the palliative care nurse but they are specialists in the patients care

Hi Mercury , yes they did a blood which showed it wasn’t doing his lungs much good
The oxycodone had a bad effect on him blurred vision , dizziness and drowsiness also an element of confusion which made him tearful
I have spoken to the pallative team and they’re going to keep the low dose morphine liquid as a back
he’s not really breathless unless he manoeuvres maybe from the wheel chair to the arm chair
Every movement takes his energy but he’s fine when just sitting .