Question
My sister is a quadraplegic from an auto accident. She has the Bac. pump which is filled once a month w/morphine, yet she is continuing to complain of constant pain.  Her primary docter is continuing to add more and more pain medicine. As of now she is being given 6 narcotics besides the morphine. She is, in my opinion, being overdosed. she is so dependant on these drugs. Am I wrong? This accident occured in 1999. Just from your opinion, do we need to seek another doctor?

Answer
Hi Brenda,
Thanks so much for your question.

YES!, in my opinion. She is most likely dependent. I would strongly suggest that you seek out another doctor. These narcotics can suppress her breathing. Believe me, I know, because it happened to me. There are medications that can be used to help relieve the pain. I am not saying that she should be off the narcotics entirely because there is some pain that only those drugs can alleviate.

Try to seek out a neurologist that is familiar with spinal cord injuries.

If you have anymore questions, please feel free to ask me anytime.

Thanks again,
John McKinzie