Hi All, I’m new to this community. My Mum has severe osteoporosis and suffers with spinal fractures regularly. She has lost 6 inches from her spine probably over the last 10 years. She has broken her wrist, humorous and recently fractured her neck of femur. She is in constant pain, that is exacerbated by terrible pains when she eats anything. Her stomach is swollen all the time, and because of her medication (morphine patches) she is always constipated, so she takes medication for that. It is a hopeless situation, all she has to wake up to is another day full of pain. Does anybody have experience of problems with food, and any suggestions as to how we might ease it?
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Hi concerned mum,
So sorry to hear your mum is in so much pain when eating. I have had 7 compressed vertebrae fractures and I did have stomach pain after eating; i made smaller size meals, breakfast was porridge with fruit; dinner at lunch time so it digests easier no dessert; teatime a small salad and dessert alpro Greek type yogurt with fruit such as raspberries, blueberries, strawberries; but all much smaller sizes. This has worked for me, hope you find this helps.
Fractures can course extreme pain and to try different ways which suits your body to lessen the pain.
I was on morphine for a short time but decided to gradually come off it and try using a heat pad or sitting with a soft pillow tucked into the pain area. This helped a lot.
Best wishes Maryann
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Thank you Maryann
Hi to you and your mum,
I’ve also suffered spinal fractures and have lost 3 1/2 inches in height. I feel bloated all the time so I keep my meals light and small. I’m on buprenophine patches (not that they help) and I do occasionally get constipated. I have a Tesco baby prune pouch every day, it helps me. Good luck to your mum.
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Hi .I am so sad to hear about your Mum. I have 4 spinal fractures and am 66.ihave always suffered with constipation and take prucolopride once per day which moves the bowel without the pain of a laxative.I also take prunes. How old is your Mum and is she on any bone meds? If her spinal fractures are recent she may be able to have Kyphoplasty to repair the bone which would take some pain away. The GP should get her a physio and nutritional appointment ask for them to come to her and they could advise how best to help her pain when eating. If her stomach is very sore she may need them to check that her bowel is not impacted if it is she may need a gentle enema not nice but would take the discomfort away. You could see if a tens machine might work or even acupuncture. sending love to you and your Mum Anne x
Thank you so much for your response, I’ll see if my Mum will take a baby prune pouch, it may help her as well.
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Sorry to hear about your Mum. That must be very distressing for you. I can see some other people have replied with helpful ideas but I did wonder if you had tried any liquid meals for your Mum? There are protein shakes and smoothies as well as nutrient-dense broths that can be made. You can add refreshing fruits to smoothies as well as healthy veg. I hope you find something to help.
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Thanks for your response, we have tried broths, and she won’t have a smoothie. I have said to her perhaps pureed food might help, she is thinking about it!
Awful situation, sorry for your mum. I too have kyphosis from 11 spinal fractures, lost 6” height, have osteo tum, I wasn’t eating but even when I did again, lost 4 stone, my stomach shrank so felt full after a mouthful. As soon as I started on Actagain nutrition drinks I put weight on, was able to eat more and now eat like a horse but weight stable ( pun). Maybe there was something in them that helped me absorb what was needed to utilise my food? The ones I was given in hospital did nowt and were horrid but Actagain orange are nice, 2 x day though other flavours are nasty for me. They also settled my guts but if I did get constipated used Dulcolax in fact my guts are the only thing about me that’s not broken now, though did have trots recently probably from not eating before Celebrex, after 18 years of Colitis I’m relieved ( more puns). Pain wise, took me long time and fights to get right meds, Oramorph makes me barf, Morpine patches don’t work but Fentanyl do, plus Tramadol, muscle relaxants etc as quite bad atm with Costochondritis - Robaxin, Gabapentin. Your mum needs more help and meds that work for her, so nag your gp till something works. Good luck. 