TSR DECISIONS DROP IN Q and A NOW OPEN - GET FREE ADVICE HERE >>

What should I do?

Ok then. A while ago my dad went in for an operation after having cancer. He was also recently ill with the cold and this sickness that he gets every so often as a side effect of his operations or something, or so I’m told.
He seemed to be fine now, walking around like he normally does and going to work etc until recently.
I was talking to him about the amount of parcetamol (I apologise for the spelling. If anyone knows what I mean and how to spell it please help lol) that we have left and he happened to mention that he was having a lot of them lately. These tablets are known to be used as painkillers for many things and I was rather concerned.
Earlier today I asked him what was wrong with him and he said that he was just tired from work and needed a break. If this were so then why would he be using painkillers? And how do I bring the conversation up again?
The thing is that I don’t think that he would tell me if there was something up as he wasn’t going to tell me and my siblings when he found out he had cancer. How am I supposed to find out if anything is wrong? :confused:

Please help me someone. :frown:

Reply 1

Imster

You could try telling him that you're concerned about the painkillers he's taking and that he needs help if he's in pain. It could easily be a pride thing that he doesn't want to tell you, so just be aware of this when you try getting through to him.

I know it's hard when someone close is ill, my mum has undergone surgery and your post sort of reminds me of my own situation. All I can say is to be there for him and constantly try to get through to him, it will work eventually. He may just need to take time off work for a while to relax, it could be that he's taking them because he is under stress from work (e.g. might be having migrane or headaches of some sort).

Reply 2

sidi

Why don't you tell him what you've just told us? That you're concerned about him and worried that something is wrong as he didn't tell you about the cancer. Tell him you would prefer to know what is going on so that either you can help or at the very least be supportive. Not knowing is almost as bad as bad news as your imagination goes into overdrive!

Reply 3

Spacecam

I don't think you need to worry - he's trying to manage his pain without having to go to the Doctors. Paracetamol is quite a weak analgesic (pain killer) and therefore more are needed for the desired effect. If he is overdosing, which I imagine he is (unintentionally) then there can be liver and kidney problems.

He needs to go see the GP for some stronger stuff, which will probably be co-codamol or codeine. These are stronger analgesics and he shouldn't need to take as many. But mostly they are prescription only.

As far as the tiredness goes - your Dad has had surgery, cancer, and has been taking paracetamol to excess. Unwanted effects of these results in tiredness, plus he's probably anxious about his medication and the pain.

Just give him some reassurance, and approach it head on with him - tell him you're concerned about how much medicine he's taking, when he could be taking something more effective at lower doses. You can't force him to the Drs but he should decide to go himself. He should be ok in the meantime, just support him and continue to do a wonderful job, which I'm sure you are.

Reply 4

He could also be taking the paracetamol as an anti-nausea medicine, i've been given it myself after an operation for that.

Reply 5

PsychicShadow

Thanks for the help from you all. I haven't managed to do anything yet as I don't see my father very often, he works alot and is rarely home. I am planning on talking to him about it soon though. x :smile:

Reply 6

shavenwookiee

Yea, you can get paracetamol and codiene from boots. Since Codiene is basically a weak form of heroin, he shouldnt need as many!

On the other hand, herion is addictive and so is Codiene. lol