Kidney Failure

[nailit]

Really dont know where to start with this one, so much to get in, in one go. I'm seriously worried about my mum. I'll try and make a start...

A few weeks ago she went into hospital for a knee replacement op. As she has both heart and kidney failure we were all surprised that it went ahead. It should have been a 3 day stay but turned into a week. During that time her care was abysmal. She was left in pain for 3 days as 'due to an oversight' they forgot to give her, her moloxicam (for athiritis), also she was left for 3 days without any surgical stockings (a staff nurse said that her skin was too thin, another nurse eventually put her some on) When we questioned why she couldn't come home we got some vague answers about bloods not been right.

A week after coming home she had a GP home visit. She was crying and in constant pain and couldn't sleep despite been on zopiclone. The GP new nothing about her been in hospital for a knee replacement???
When the GP got back to the surgery he rang my mum and told her that he was taking her of her Tramodol prescription...which shes been on for 20 years...and replacing it with morphine and said that he didn't realise (when he visited) how bad her kidneys were.

Since coming home my mum cant keep either food or liquids down, feels nauseas, tired, is itching all the time.
We don't know if its the morphine causing this or if her kidneys are packing in.

Any info or personal experiences would be appreciated, thanks.

[Sqad]

One simple blood test will tell you if her problems are due to her kidneys or morphine and that is the amount of urea and or creatinine in her blood.
If either are in abnormal amounts then it will be kidney failure causing her problems. If the blood test is normal, then you can put your money on the morphine.
My opinion: it sounds very much like advanced renal faileure.

[nailit]

Thanks for reply Sqad, appreciate it.
My sisters getting in touch with the surgery on Monday to try and get some answers, her last blood test was in the hospital but all we got were vague answers as to the results. She's really poorly but just seems to have been left to it.
Thanks again for the reply.

[nailit]

Also, wouldn't morphine affect her kidneys as much as Tramodol?

[Sqad]

No big deal with either Morphine or Tramadol in the short term damaging the kidneys.
In your mother's case, I agree with the Dr's in that morphine is the drug of choice for her pain.

[Tilly2]

Is your sister looking after your mum, Nailit?

[nailit]

Sorry 4 late replies but thanks for answers,
Sqad, GP seemed to think that Tramadol were bad for kidney function (after 20 + yrs ???) and that morphine was a better option. I don't understand how (what is basically) one poisson is better than another?
Tilly, we are trying to sort it all between us at the mo. Would help if we had the facts before us so we knew what was happening but have been fobbed of at every opportunity. Very distressing.

[Mamyalynne]

I can't add anything practical other than what's been said, get as many questions asked and answered as you can and get bloods sorted - other than that, yes it's a dreadful time for you all.

Thinking of you.x

[nailit]

Thank you mamy. Just wish my mum could get a bit of pain relief.

[Mamyalynne]

The Morphine should help.

[anneasquith]

Could she be withdrawing from the tramadol?

[nailit]

Never considered that anne, could be a possibility.

[nailit]

Just a quick update.
Had to call an ambulance this afternoon, mum was really poorly and coughing up yellow bile. Paramedics insisted on taking her to hospital (ive just got back from there). They did some more blood tests and are now waiting for a bed in the medical assessment unit. Appears that there is now something wrong with here liver as well...
All very distressing.

[Mamyalynne]

Oh Dear Nailit, I do feel for you - very distressing, hope they can make her comfortable,

[nailit]

Thanks Mamy, I hope so.

[anneasquith]

Best place for now nailit,keep us informed.

[marval]

I am sorry to hear that Nailit, I hope they can do something for your mum.

[ummmm]

Poor lady, how awful xx

[237SJ]

It is probably completely irrelevant but did your Mum have breast cancer a few years ago? I can't remember if it was you who posted about that

[nailit]

thanks guys, much appreciated.
237, yes she did have breast cancer

[237SJ]

You said that your Mum is itching. That's a symptom of liver problems. I hope you get some answers soon and your Mum is comfortable