Medical Question

[Mousey Girl]

My mom has hurt her back. She went to the Dr today, but all he said was that it was a muscle and sent her on her way. I want to find out if she can take a certain medication, but with her drug allergies I need to make sure that it is ok. Where would I look?

[Gemini Cricket]

Can you call the Dr and ask him?

[Mousey Girl]

Not really... umm... no.

[BarTopDancer]

Call the pharmacy and ask them.

[Alex]

So you want to give your mom your (or someone else's) prescription medication that wasn't prescribed for her?

Physicians Desk Reference would be a place to start (I think) and they'll have it at the library. Their drug web site here (http://www.pdrhealth.com/drugs/rx/rx-a-z.aspx). For example Vicodin (http://www.pdrhealth.com/drugs/rx/rx-mono.aspx?contentFileName=Vic1480.html&contentName=Vicodin&contentId=626), see the section on drug interactions.

But if you are worried about allergies and/or drug interactions you should probably rely on professional advice which isn't likely to come from someone qualified to give it.

[Gemini Cricket]

Ah. I didn't know it was a prescription.

[Alex]

I'm assuming so otherwise it should be ok to ask the doctor. If it is OTC then yeah, just stop at the pharmacy counter at your local Walgreen's clone and say "my mom has X allergy, should it be ok for her to take this?"

[Mousey Girl]

I have a drug reference book. I won't be giving her anything, but it is hard seeing her in pain when I know I have something that could help.

[Morrigoon]

Motrin

[frodo potter]

How about a rub like tiger balm or patch like salonpas the systemic absorption is low so allergies are not generally an issue and they do help with muscle pain. If allergy is a problem the OTC Tylenol has almost no cross allergic reactions and will help with some pain. An NSAID would be better but if stomach upset or the like is a problem they should be avoided.

[MouseWife]

Non-prescription: heating pad and an epsom salts bath?

I am sorry she is hurting, I know back pain can be excruciating.

[Morrigoon]

On the topic of baths, a swim wouldn't hurt. Go float in a pool for a while to take the pressure off the muscles

[Mousey Girl]

Just an update. She was prescribed a muscle relaxant. It did nothing. She finally went back to urgent care last night. She has at least one compression fracture in her back, but they are thinking there may be two more. She goes for a MRI some time today to see exactly what is going on.

My sister called this one. Mom has osteoprosis, and when this first happened my sister told me she was worried mom had done something more than pull a muscle.

[RStar]

MG,

I hope she will heal and feel better soon! I hate when these Drs make a rash call with out checking things better!