BACKGROUND
This week, a 43-year-old white male presents at the office with a chief complaint of pain. He is assisted in his ambulation with a set of crutches. At the beginning of the clinical interview, the client reports that his family doctor sent him for psychiatric assessment because the doctor felt that the pain was “all in his head.” He further reports that his physician believes he is just making stuff up to get “narcotics to get high.”
SUBJECTIVE
The client reports that his pain began about 7 years ago when he sustained a fall at work. He states that he landed on his right hip. Over the years, he has had numerous diagnostic tests done (x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs). He reports that about 4 years ago, it was discovered that the cartilage surrounding his right hip joint was 75% torn (from the 3 o’clock to 12 o’clock position). He reports that none of the surgeons he saw would operate because they felt him too young for a total hip replacement and believed that the tissue would repair with the passage of time. Since then, he reported development of a strange constellation of symptoms including cooling of the extremity (measured by electromyogram). He also reports that he experiences severe cramping of the extremity. He reports that one of the neurologists diagnosed him with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). However, the neurologist referred him back to his family doctor for treatment of this condition. He reports that his family doctor said “there is no such thing as RSD, it comes from depression” and this was what prompted the referral to psychiatry. He reports that one specialist he saw a few years ago suggested that he use a wheelchair, to which the client states “I said ‘no,’ there is no need for a wheelchair, I can beat this!”
The client reports that he used to be a machinist where he made “pretty good money.” He was engaged to be married, but his fiancé got “sick and tired of putting up with me and my pain, she thought I was just turning into a junkie.”
He reports that he does get “down in the dumps” from time to time when he sees how his life has turned out, but emphatically denies depression. He states “you can’t let yourself get depressed… you can drive yourself crazy if you do. I’m not really sure what’s wrong with me, but I know I can beat it.”
During the client interview, the client states “oh! It’s happening, let me show you!” this prompts him to stand with the assistance of the corner of your desk, he pulls off his shoe and shows you his right leg. His leg is turning purple from the knee down, and his foot is clearly in a visible cramp as the toes are curled inward and his foot looks like it is folding in on itself. “It will last about a minute or two, then it will let up” he reports. Sure enough, after about two minutes, the color begins to return and the cramping in the foot/toes appears to be releasing. The client states “if there is anything you can do to help me with this pain, I would really appreciate it.” He does report that his family doctor has been giving him hydrocodone, but he states that he uses is “sparingly” because he does not like the side effects of feeling “sleepy” and constipation. He also reports that the medication makes him “loopy” and doesn’t really do anything for the pain.
MENTAL STATUS EXAM
The client is alert, oriented to person, place, time, and event. He is dressed appropriately for the weather and time of year. He makes good eye contact. Speech is clear, coherent, goal directed, and spontaneous. His self-reported mood is euthymic. Affect consistent to self-reported mood and content of conversation. He denies visual/auditory hallucinations. No overt delusional or paranoid thought processes appreciated. Judgment, insight, and reality contact are all intact. He denies suicidal/homicidal ideation, and is future oriented.
Diagnosis: Complex regional pain disorder (reflex sympathetic dystrophy)
Decision Point One
Amitriptyline 25 mg po QHS and titrate upward weekly by 25 mg to a max dose of 200 mg per day
RESULTS OF DECISION POINT ONE
- Client returns to clinic in four weeks
- Client comes to the office still using crutches. He states that the pain has improved but he is a bit groggy in the morning
- Client’s pain level is currently a 6 out of 10. The PMHNP questions the client on what would be an acceptable pain level. He states, “I would rather have no pain but don’t think that is possible. I could live with a pain level of 3.” He states that his pain level normally hovers around a 9 out of 10 on most days of the week before the amitriptyline was started. The PMHNP asks what makes the pain on a scale of 1-10 different when comparing a level of 9 to his current level of 6?” The client states, “I’m able to go to the bathroom or to the kitchen without using my crutches all the time. The achiness is less and my toes do not curl as often as they did before.” The client is also asked what would need to happen to get his pain from a current level of 6 to an acceptable level of 3. He states, “Well, that is kind of hard to answer. I guess I would like the achiness and throbbing in my right leg to not happen every day or at least not several times a day. I also could do without my toes curling in like they do. That really hurts.”
- Client denies suicidal/homicidal ideation and is still future oriented
Decision Point Two
Continue current medication and increase dose to 125 mg at BEDTIME this week continuing towards the goal dose of 200 mg daily. Instruct the client to take the medication an hour earlier than normal starting tonight and call the office in 3 days to report how his function is in the morning
RESULTS OF DECISION POINT TWO
- Client returns to clinic in four weeks
- The change in administration time seemed to help. The client states he is not as groggy in the morning and is able to start his day sooner than before
- Client’s current pain level is a 4 out of 10. He states that he is now taking 125 mg of amitriptyline at bedtime.
- Client’s has noticed that he is putting on a little weight. When asked, the client states that he has gained 5 pounds since he started taking this medication. He currently weighs in at 162 pounds. He is 5’ 7”. He states that his right leg doesn’t bother him nearly as much as it used to and his toes have only “cramped up” twice in the past month. He states that he is able to get around his apartment without his crutches and that he has even started seeing someone he met at the grocery store. The weight gain seems to bother him a lot and he is asking if there is a way to avoid it
Decision Point Three
Continue the current dose of Elavil of 125 mg per day, refer the client to a life coach who can counsel him on good dietary habits and exercise
Guidance to StudentAt this point, the client is almost at his goal pain control and increased functionality. Weight gain is a common side effect with amitriptyline and should be a counseling point at the initiation of therapy. He has a small weight gain of 5 pounds in 8 weeks. A reduction in dose may have an effect on the weight gain but at a considerable cost of pain to the client. This would not be in the best interest of the client at this point. Amitriptyline has a side effect of cardiac arrhythmias. He is not experiencing this at this point. The drug, qsymia contains a product called phentermine which has a history of causing cardiac arrhythmias at higher doses. This product is also only approved for a client with obesity defined as a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2. Your client’s BMI is currently 25.5 kg/m2. He does not meet the definition of obesity but is considered overweight. His best course of action would be to continue the same dose of Elavil, counsel him on good dietary and exercise habits and connect him with a life coach who will help him with this problem in a more meaningful way than a 10 minute counseling session will be able to accomplish.Instructions on how to complete the assignment
Examine Case Study: A Caucasian Man With Hip Pain. You will be asked to make three decisions concerning the medication to prescribe to this client. Be sure to consider factors that might impact the client’s pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes.
At each decision point stop to complete the following:
- Decision #1
- Which decision did you select?
- Why did you select this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources.
- What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources.
- Explain any difference between what you expected to achieve with Decision #1 and the results of the decision. Why were they different?
- Decision #2
- Why did you select this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources.
- What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources.
- Explain any difference between what you expected to achieve with Decision #2 and the results of the decision. Why were they different?
- Decision #3
- Why did you select this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources.
- What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources.
- Explain any difference between what you expected to achieve with Decision #3 and the results of the decision. Why were they different?
Also include how ethical considerations might impact your treatment plan and communication with clients.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The case study presents a 43-year-old white male who is experiencing chronic pain in his right leg. He has been diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) or reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). Initially, his family doctor referred him for psychiatric assessment, suggesting that the pain may be psychogenic. The client denies depression and expresses a strong belief that he can overcome the pain. The PMHNP prescribed amitriptyline to manage the pain, and the client has experienced some improvement, although he is still using crutches. The client has gained weight, which is a known side effect of the medication. In the next decision point, the PMHNP considers continuing the current dose of amitriptyline and referring the client to a life coach for counseling on dietary habits and exercise.
Answer to Decision Point One:
In decision point one, the PMHNP prescribed amitriptyline at a starting dose of 25 mg per day with a titration upward weekly by 25 mg, up to a maximum dose of 200 mg per day. After four weeks, the client reports some improvement in pain but also states feeling groggy in the morning. His pain level is currently a 6 out of 10. The client’s desired pain level is a 3. This improvement is significant since his pain level normally hovers around a 9 out of 10 on most days of the week before starting amitriptyline. The client identifies decreased cramping and the ability to perform daily activities without constantly relying on crutches as positive outcomes of the medication. Considering this positive response, it is appropriate to continue with the current treatment plan.
Answer to Decision Point Two:
In decision point two, the PMHNP decides to continue the current medication of amitriptyline and increase the dose to 125 mg at bedtime, aiming towards the goal dose of 200 mg daily. The client is instructed to take the medication an hour earlier than usual and report back to the office in three days regarding his morning functioning. After four weeks, the client reports that the change in administration time has helped decrease the grogginess in the morning, allowing him to start his day sooner. His pain level has improved to a 4 out of 10. The client has also noticed a weight gain of 5 pounds since starting amitriptyline, which is a known side effect of the medication. Although the weight gain is bothering the client, it is important to continue with the current dose as the pain control and increased functionality outweigh the side effect. Therefore, continuing the current dose is the best course of action.
Answer to Decision Point Three:
In decision point three, the PMHNP decides to continue the current dose of amitriptyline at 125 mg per day and refers the client to a life coach for counseling on good dietary habits and exercise. The client has almost reached his goal of pain control and increased functionality, and the weight gain, although bothersome, is not severe. It is important to address the weight gain as a counseling point and provide additional support through a life coach who can guide the client towards adopting a healthy lifestyle. Reducing the dose at this point would risk compromising pain control and functionality, which is not in the best interest of the client. Therefore, continuing with the current dose and providing additional support through a life coach is a suitable decision.
