Welcome to OCF, Erin! Im very sorry to read about your mothers illness. You have found the very best place for info and support to help you and your mom with anything relating to OC.

If your mother is not getting any relief from taking her current pain meds, she should be given something else. Many here have found great relief with using the fentanyl patch. Ive used it successfully as well. Just make sure to read and follow all the directions. Especially pay close attention to never fold, bend, tear, rip, cut or otherwise impair the integrity of the patch. Also, your mother should avoid long, hot baths or showers and saunas while wearing the patch. It takes aprox. 24 hours for it to kick in when first put on. Make sure to write down the time and date the patch was placed to make sure its changed every 72 hours. My guess would be since she is in so much pain she should start with at least 50mcg patch. The doc can gradually go up or step back down depending on her needs. I know the patch will help tremendously. Sometimes she still may experience pain, we call that break-thru pain. Your mom should still receive some other prescription pain medicine to manage her break thru pain. Its ok to take other pain med on top of the patch, just so its done with following doctors orders. She should call the doc right away and get the prescription written if possible today. The patch is a controlled substance and in order to fill it, she will need an old fashioned hand-written prescription to take to the pharmacy. There should always be a doctor on call so if its after hours you or your mom can still call. Nobody should have to suffer in pain when it can be easily controlled.

Feel free to ask questions, read and learn about OC and all the things that go along with it. Best wishes with everything!!!