Cynthia, I declined drugs, thinking I could make it through on Tylenol, but after one particularly bad weekend, gave in. I have a Fentanyl patch that works wonders. Right at the tail end of treatment, I have begun having break through pain, so am using Hydrocodone (Lortab) which really works too. Am not sleepy at all. Your mom should not be in pain. That just takes too much energy which she needs for other things. I will be done with everything on Wed., and on Sun. am leaving on two week camping/fishing trip. I will definitely be taking the two above-named medications with me! Ask about the 3-day patch for your mom. It is prescribed frequently where I go, and helps so much.