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Can Meloxicam Be Used To Treat Hip Pain In A Bed-bound Patient?

Posted on Tue, 19 Mar 2019

Question: Is there pain associated with late stage Alzheimer's that he cannot tell us about? Is Meloxicam 15 mg a suitable painkiller for this pain? He doesn't respond when we ask him about pain.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soujanya (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Pain may not be related to Alzheimer's.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

As such there will be no pain associated with Alzheimer's.
He is not responding because of its pathology which includes confusion and may be associated depression would let him less expressive.

So, please provide little information about his daily routine, sleep pattern, appetite, about his mood.

If he is suffering from any pain, definitely meloxicam works better.

Besides, it needs to be ruled out for any associated symptoms.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Soujanya (1 hour later)

He is bed bound and requires total care, feeding, bathing, changing. He seems comfortable until we have to roll him to change him and the bed pads and linens. I give him meloxicam but he still seems to suffer pain when moved, perhaps in hip area, which had a joint replacement years ago. I thought maybe there is a more effective pain pill that would still be safe for him. I plan to ask the Hospice Nurse tomorrow but would like you opinion also. Thank you, XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soujanya (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Meloxicam is the best for orthopaedic related pain.

Detailed Answer:

Hi XXXX,

Perhaps, the pain could be due to joint replacement surgery, but anyway, meloxicam works better for bone-related pain.

Usually, it takes around 2 weeks to get complete relief from pain and inflammation if any. But, he may get partial relief immediately.

And l would like to advise you to check for any bed sores that might cause pain as there is every possibility to appear in bedridden people.

Anyway, if he couldn't get complete relief from pain within 2 weeks, then you can prefer opioid-related painkillers like morphine if the pain is so severe.

If l were your treating doctor, l would observe for 2 weeks with Meloxicam.

So, consult your doctor regarding this.

Hope this would clear your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Soujanya (12 minutes later)

Thank you..I will keep on this for 2 weeks for maximum relief and if still no helping I will contact the Dr that prescribed it for something stronger. But I cannot give him but one of these pills each day, correct? increasing it won't help?

also, the Hospice Nurse is treating two bed sores....on heel and on back. They are healing ok so don't think they're causing pain.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soujanya (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You may try by increasing its dose.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Yes, you may try by increasing its dose to 30 mg daily, by giving 1 tablet in the morning and 1 tablet in the night.
It is advisable to discuss this with your doctor.

My other concern is about that there may be some problem at the surgical site.

So, I would advise you to get an X-ray of his hip joint with femur bilaterally to rule out any possible pathology.

Discuss with your doctor about these issues.

Hope this information would help you.

Regards,
Dr. Soujanya, Psychiatrist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj