Helene, so sorry to hear these latest developments. The elevated white count would seem to indicate some sort of infection in her body, isn't that correct? I think you're right to be considering hospice. They are experts in pain management and will ensure that your mother is comfortable. It's also support for YOU, too. What I learned from my mother's hospice nurse is that many people wait too late to seek the help, which is just a shame. There is still such a negative impression of hospice out there, as a "last gasp." I thought it was that way, myself, and when they first mentioned it to me at the nursing home, I was horrified. I'm glad I did it when I did, however, because that hospice nurse was wonderful. I could reach her at any time -- she gave me her home and cell numbers -- and it was much easier and more direct than calling the doctor who was assigned to Mom's care. Hope you are able to sleep a bit tonight.

Geez, that is an utter drag, Chisue. Back, hip, bony-nervy pain Cain be so difficult. Very impolite to the human (patient/victim/hero/inflictee/sufferer) body, and it can be tough to diagnose. I'm betting that some people never get an answer. Not because doctors don't care or are not talented (although some deserve that description), but there are real limitations in trying to evaluate pain and its causes. As a bit of a sidebar here, I want to say that if an MRI is ordered, I much prefer the diagnostic centers with a "High T (Tesla)" MRI unit that is closed. You get better detail. Because (apparently) a lot of patients are anxious and claustrophobic, and perhaps also because of cost and logistics, many diagnostic imaging facilities opt for the "open" and lower (magnetic) field MRI machines. My advice to any person (patient) with hard to visualize and diagnose pain, is to find a way to condition yourself to calm down and overcome any claustrophobia. And HOLD STILL! One of my friends has has bilateral hip replacements, and her last one didn't seem to go as well as the first. But she also had non-hip surgical or hospital "cooties" (?) complications. She also elected to go to what I'd consider a quasi country bumpkin (okay, yeah, slap me) hospital because she liked the doctor. A single so so doctor does not determine the quality of a facility or its diligence with infection control. A hospital is a complex place and many factors can contribute to standards, training, available staff and their training, infection control and so on. The culture of both the medical staff and patient community also plays its part. Many of us struggle with weight control, healthful eating habits and exersize, sleep, relaxation. When a person is coping with chronic, unrelenting pain and other challenges, finding the way to successfully manage these things can be tough. It can be difficult to get enough quality, restorative sleep when in pain. And without sufficient sleep we don't tend to function as well or cope with pain and frustration as well as we might if fully rested. We might crave (do crave) comfort (often) in the form of yummy snacks and sweets, shopping or escape activities, or slurping too much alcohol. Understandable, but not helpful. There are many many people in daily pain. If you're young, it can be isolating. If older, you have a lot of company. It can be helpful to find a group with similar challenges, share commiserating, exercise hour, but also the joy of living. My my. Have I gone on. I wish you comfort and some solutions, Chisue. I have pain 24/7, and although no "answer" to relief, it sometimes helps a bit to do certain gentle yoga like stretches. Of course, go easy and perhaps ask your "medical team" (hmm) if you might be okay trying some simple gentle non-bouncing stretches. One that is frequently suggested for people with low back pain is the piraformis stretch. Various ways. One is to lie on back. Bend one knee a bit, then with your hands guiding you, gently "try" to stretch the other knee to touch your opposite shoulder (which, unless you work for a circus, you're not likely to even get close. Do not bounce, but hold the stretch a few seconds, then relax. A PT or decent book or reputable site can offer better explanations.

Chisue - I've been following this thread wondering whether or not to post but your most recent post sent me dashing to my computer. I am so sorry you are going through this pain and frustration with our medical system. The reason I hesitate to make a comment is that I am not clear as to what is causing your sciatica. Well, if it is sciatica we can pretty much narrow it down to some issue in your L-1 through L-5 joints or possibly your s-1 or s-2 joints. But I am not clear what is causing the pain. Is it a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, tumor or ?? Did you get a diagnosis via MRI? Was is caused by the bone chip on your hip? Please ask these questions and get an MRI if you haven't already done so. After a fall, I had sciatica pain from my buttocks to my little toe. The first thing they did was an MRI to determine the actual cause of the problem (it was herniated disc). Then I was referred to an orthopedic you-guessed-it surgeon. My preference was PT, not surgery. After doing a LOT of research, and because mine was a herniated disc, I found a PT who was trained in the Mckenzie Technique. The exercises were almost impossible for me to perform because I was in such bad condition. After my insurance PT was over, with not much progress, I had no choice but to continue the exercises on my own since I still wasn't healed and was being considered for surgery. My next stop was a Physiatrist. Lots of heat, cold, electrical stimulation. Nothing helped. Then they suggested an epidural steroid injection and surgery was not off the table. This is not just a regular shot. The total injection time is about 20-30 minutes. They inject the steroid into the sacroiliac joint until you feel pressure. Then they stop and let the steroid dissipate before they push in more steroid. This goes on for 3 or 4 "pushes", maybe more. You are hooked up to an IV and they use fluoroscopy to assist with real time images. After the shot I went home and laid on my right side (the side with the injury) and hardly moved throughout the day. Docs won't tell you to do this, I read it on Dr. Internet. I am so grateful that one shot got me to the point to where I was able to continue physical therapy exercises on my own and push through to pretty good health. I occasionally get "back issues" and will get down on the floor and do the exercises. I can go years without an issue although I do have to be careful to support my lower back with a pillow, particularly if I sit in a chair that is too deep. And a strong core is key. So please: 1. get a diagnosis as to the specific cause of your sciatica: 2. Look up McKenzie technique and find a trained therapist in this method: (I have no investment in this therapy). 3. look into seeing a Physiatrist for your an epidural steroid shot. Depending on your diagnosis, my experience may or may not help you. One last thing I will say. During my recovery I had a business flight to Maui and sat next to the head Orthopedist for Shriner's Children's Hospital. She told me I had to break the cycle of pain. I was only taking ibuprofen at night in low doses. No. She told me I needed to take therapeutic doses throughout the day. I know you can't take this med but I want to pass this info along. She said once you have inflammation, the nerves send a pain message to your brain and then, when you brain senses pain, it sends inflammatory messages to the area of pain. So it becomes a vicious circle. Cycle. The important thing is to break the cycle of pain. I hope I haven't provided any medical misinformation. I know there are GWers who have medical knowledge so please correct me if I misspoke medially in this post. Also, this whole event was many many years ago and I am going from memory. Although my memory of the events is still vivid, I just may have a few medical details off. Sorry for this long post. Best of luck to you, Chisue.

I use an electric heating pad and my husbands tenz machine (better than the DR Ho one, he got his from WCB years ago). Works like a charm. I have degenerative disc disease in my upper spine/neck and a torn muscle in my shoulder. I think I also damaged my rotator cuff at work hauling milk (if you're on my FB page, you know all about our seniors day, or as we call it: Milk Day). I was in so much pain this week. I used my husbands CBD oil two nights in a row (relief within 15 minutes) and the heating pad and tenz machine last night. Still a little sore but not like I was. If I do use a rub, I like Voltaren as it's not scented. I can get some RX Voltaren from work if I whine enough. lol They'll just put a little in a jar and let me take it. It's called Diclo. Love the stuff.