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90 yr old mom seems to have more pain than before. Went to rehab after severe dehydration to rebuild strength and did pretty well. Also has sponal stenosis, compressed vertabrae and a bone on bone right hip! ( not a surgical candidate). Pain meds are at max. Here aremy questions: in rehab sitting in wheelchair..at home in a recliner, sometimes reclined, sometimes not. Thinking that might be cause of increased pain. Thoughts? Has lidocain patch that has always been placed on glute but pain is hip so that would be groin area and lower back. Anyone have experience with this patch? I have found that what people have learned is sometimes far more useful than even the best doc knows.

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Only experience with a lidocaine patch has been for shingles. It was helpful, but my father is a strong person and rarely takes any pain medicine except for broken hips, so I'm not sure how much of his decreased shingles pain was from the patch or from mental fortitude.

I'm wondering if she's getting home PT as well as nursing. PT would help keep her mobile; sometimes just the change in environment from daily PT to a more sedentary (and relaxing) lifestyle can allow stiffening to occur.

But she does have some serious orthopedic issues - even if she's not getting post-rehab home PT, I'm wondering if her ortho doctor wouldn't think it's advisable for some home PT to keep her more flexible.

I think generally most people would find a recliner more comfortable than a wheelchair.

There's also a difference in perception of support. I'm not suggesting you don't provide it, but having 24/7 medical and aide care at the touch of a button is vastly different from living alone or with family.
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MaryJudy,
Whenever I hear someone with pain issues, I tell them what I have learned from several people that I know who have chronic pain, especially in their back and joints. My cousin, who has dementia and arthritis in her back, takes Cymbalta. It has provided her significant relief from pain and has since she fractured her spine. I can't say enough about it. It has also brought her contentment.

I know other people who take Cymbalta for pain as well. Some of them are not seniors, but they also think it really helps them.
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