Osteoarthritic Pain Has Escalated After Hip Replacement. Having Constipation, Bowel Polyps Removed, Pain In Rectum. Suggest?

Posted on Tue, 28 May 2013

Question: This query is in regard to my elderly mother, 87 years of age. She has been very healthy all her life but since having a hip replacement 3 years ago her health has deteriorated. Osteoarthritic pain has escalated over the years for which she was prescribed Endone. This played havic with her bowel causing constant & severe constipation. Bowel polyps were diagnosed and surgically removed. Since the colonoscopy she has suffered from intense, continual pain in her rectum. She finds that she can't sit down or lie for any length of time. She paces the floor to relieve the pain which is physically exhausting for her. The pain she is experiencing is severe enough to make her faint on a number of occasions. One doctor called it "proctalgia", others have said it is the arthritis and she needs to deal with her pain management herself. I feel that, because of her age, help is not out there. The pain has reduced her quality of life so much so that she is giving up. Where do you suggest we seek help?

Answered by Dr. Achuo Ascensius (2 hours later)

Hello XXXXXX
Thanks for the query,

Given the series of event that have occurred and given her age as well, it is more likely that the pain she feels is largely psychological. What someone understands of pain, disease and disability plays an important part in the presentation of the problem and the effectiveness of treatment.
For patients with chronic pain, these beliefs form part of the psychosocial context, known to be the largest influence in predicting the extent of pain‐associated disability.

Age and female gender are predisposing factors to depression in a setting of chronic pain and are also thought to be related to exaggeration of pain intensity either to gain company/attention or other reasons.

What she needs is more psychological support, someone to be there and to talk with her and keep her company.
Also, her pain drugs should be reviewed with her doctor if need be should be augmented or associated with other drugs.

Hope this answers your query. If you have more query, i will be ready to help.
Best regards

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