Research helpful strategies for cancer pain management at our supportive online forum. Explore our extensive online resources today for additional information at CancerCompass.com. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/cancer-treatments/alternative-treatments/pain-management/1,0,129,125,114.htm Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ In the state of Tn it is hard to get pain managment, even for cancer patiants, and if we do it is limited to the degree that the meds only last partial months or we suffer all month trying to get moderate pain relief. How do I get my dr to understand that sometimes I need relief during the "sleeping" hours too? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40663,0.htm MsOvarian101 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT   I have read several messages on other boards as well as this one,where caregivers say they "allow" a certain pain med or dosage for a patient.Too deny a cancer patient any med or as much as needed is just cruel.You don't know the pain we suffer nor do the Drs.You may think you do but you are a bystander,we own the pain.Many worry about addiction,which makes no sense at all and others want us to be lucid and not "spaced out" to spend more time with you,which is one of the most selfish things I have ever heard.It is our call,have we not suffered enough?The least we deserve is to spend what time is left pain-free.If you are unlucky enough to one day have cancer then,and only then,will you be qualified to make the decision and I can assure you,you will be grateful to be "spaced out".I am stage 2 however I take Oxycontin,Oxycodone and Dilaudid every day and I am not ashamed and addiction is the least of my worries.I deserve to have some quality of life that cannot be achieved without adequate pain control. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,39606,0.htm lisa1972 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT I wanted to post a message to all caregivers...when your loved one's doctor talks about steroids for pain relief, be aware of all the side effects.My husband had a pain crisis about 6 weeks ago. We brought in a palliative care team who recommended steroids in addition to other pain meds. Well...they seem to have left him on the steroids for too long. Now, he had diabetes, with all the signs-poor vision, low circulation and high blood sugar. He is very susceptible to infection.I just want to post this note if anyone recommends to your loved one steroids for pain management...be cautious and get all the information you can.M http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,39249,0.htm Caring4Cancer Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT Has anyone expereinced tooth pain from neupogen shots? All my teeth ache and it is very uncomfortable. Could this be from the neupogen shots?Lynne http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,39051,0.htm Creature Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT 2 wks ago I had a middle pancreatectomy, with the end of the pancr put into the stomach.  I was so lucky; no intestine cut.  Really am grateful for that.  However, the Pain was severe, and not really medicated. Despite "high" med levels now (home on day 8), have lots of radiating epigastric pain (feels like suctioning lampray attached inside the stomach, just under esophagus, and also on the left, where they stuck that end), sharp spasm like pains, and hard to breathe.  It is very hard to eat, and the pain has gotten worse the last two days.  Is this to be expected?  The pain ranges from 4 - 8 and occ.9 (10 is on the floor, drooling), with a few hours a day (total) with mere distracting discomfort (Thanks Be).  If I need to "suck it up", I will stop complaining (hey, am a "dog person"!) and will just keep on workin'.  Maybe the meds (opiod derivative) make it worse??? (someone thought it may cause spasms, but rarely).  They did do lots of work on "large amount of blood vessels behind the stomach", but they never implied the significance.  Any thoughts appreciated, also in how long I should expect to have pain after eating (sm.meals, non fat, low fiber & protein).  They said to expect recovery at a rate that now seems absurd (like they were "selling" the procedure... weird).     Thank you, thank you, thank you!A Scared,  Denise  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,37671,0.htm dogfanatic Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT I really need some help for my husband.  He finished treatment for SCC base on tongue, tonsil, spread to lymph nodes on 1-28-09.  He had 10 chemo - carbo and taxol and 37 tomotheraphy treatments.  He has PEG, and takes most nutrition through that.  He has strictures to esophagus due to damage from radiation - we are in slow process of stretches to help with that problem.  He is doing fairly well at this point.  He has been on pain meds since December - started with 50 Fentanyl patch and then 25 -  Lortab - 2x daily - but not every day.  He was in the hospital in April and the ER doc put him on prednisone - when the radiation onc. found out he was upset - he doesn't like his cancer patients on steroids.  Now that the history is told - here is the problem.  He literally has not slept much for 5 nights.  We went to radiation onc. yesterday and he said it is due to coming off of all of the meds - he came off prednisone as prescribed and took his last dose on Sunday - his 25 patch came off about the same time.  He hasn't had any Lortab in over a week.  He also has taken 30 mg of Temazapam on and off for several years - insomnia before diagnosis.  The Dr. said he would just need to get totally exhausted and then he would sleep.  He didn't say he was addicted but I am wondering.  Is this the only way to come off of meds - does anyone have any light to shed on this.  He is suffering - jittery - in and out of the bed - wow!!  I am not sleeping because he is not sleeping.  HELP!! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,37029,0.htm MEEMERZ Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Help!  My husband is having terrific nerve pain in both arms and it's been over 2 years since he was treated for Stage 2 Colon Cancer.His course of treatment was Oxyplatin 5 FU.  He is currently taking Lyrica and Tylenol 3 but it seems only to 'at best' just take the edge off, before the unrelenting ongoing pain radiates up and down both arms, between his shoulder and wrists.  Please.....does anyony have any suggestions?  This is adversely affecting his sleep, his personality and our family life.  I don't know what else to do to help him.  He has recently bought and started treatment with an Inferential Machine.  Suggestions? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,34726,0.htm filling_the_bucket Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT My mom has been great for over 2 years with PC. a miracle. had to lose pancreas, spleen and GB and radition and preventetive chemo worked great for a long time, but a PC tumor recurance came recently (stomach) and she started new protocol of chemo and immediately started over medicating. now she is on so many drugs she can't tolerate the chemo and is acting and saying crazy things. totally not my mother right now. the new microtumors are in stomach fat and that accounts for some irritable stomach but we don't think she has a lot of pain. more severe depression. the new chemo is also very hard on her so between memory loss from chemo and too many drugs (pain losenges (morphine), clonopin, etc... she's barely conscious all day everyday. any advice? we are not sure what to do to help her snap out of it but she has grandkids and won't get any quality time with them if she stays on this road. breaks our heart but we'd like to get her back a while before she goes forever. any advice would be great as I know she is not happy like this but in a real spiral downward. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,34328,0.htm OverwhelmedLA Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT My husband has Metastatic Lung Cancer Stage IV.He also has Lympadema (sp?) so bad in his left shoulder, down his arm and hand.  He has no feeling any longer, and just has to drag his arm around.  We just went again to see if Radiation would help with the pain, and was told it would not.  More Chemo will not help either.  The only suggestion we got was for him to think about having the arm to the shoulder Removed, and that should take care of all his PAIN!I would greatly appreciate any help I can get, and hoping maybe someone has had this last resort also done, and if it was really worth going through the surgery, and most important...IF, it took away all the Pain!!!Thank you,Kaybel http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,32828,0.htm Kaybel1215 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT I had rectal surgery on Wed and my pain is so severe, I still have yet to have a real bowel mvement, I tried last pm and had heavy bleeding and pain to the point I almost blacked out, It is so severe and I am constipated I have been taking colace daily and used kristalose yesterday and 6 dulcolax today to no avail. This is the only time I have excrutiating pain any suggestions would be MOST appreciated. Thank you so much.. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,32005,0.htm nursebecca74 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT Hi all, I'm new to the board. Glad to see so many Happy New Year messages from all of you.  My dad received a prelimnary diagnosis of MM last week. He is in terrible pain (back) and very weak. Bone aspiration scheduled next week. Visit with hemotoligist the week after. The problem is no one is responsible for his care right now (his GP, doctors at hospital -- he's been in 2X -- or the hemotoligist who he hasn't seen), and the holiday's have made it worse. Any suggestions? Seems to me that his symptoms need to be addressed now. Bless you all for any help. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,31768,0.htm ChrisCT Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT I had a right mastectomy on 3/28/01 (for an early stage II Breast Cancer). Twelve lymph nodes were taken in the axillary node dissection but none were positive. I've been left with pain ever since.  The breast cancer surgeon did not want to address my pain issues.  I called the oncologist's nurse in tears after 6 months of continued suffering while I was undergoing 8 chemotherapy treatments with Adriamycin/Cytoxan and Taxol.  She suggested they start me on NEURONTIN.  I've been on Neurontin since October of 2001, and my primary care doctor (an internist) also prescribed Pamelor to be taken at night time along with the Neurontin. I've also spent $1,000.00 out of pocket for acupuncture (which the oncologist wanted me to do).  Plus, I have gone to two pain clinics and tried a few different medications.  I've also had two TESI procedures (Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injections in the back spinal area).  They did not help the pain.  Has anyone out there experienced the same frustration of having lingering pain that is a daily chronic pain cycle?  If so, what are they doing to address their pain issue?  I use a daily Thermophore Moist Heating Pad when the pain peaks at different times througout the day and that seems to help.  I've had no issue with lymphedema in the arm  after years of using the heat just on the right chest area.  Also deep tissue massage seems to help when the stinging pain peaks and I use cocoa butter massage cream and spritz it with water when I repeat the massage over and over and that seems to calm things down.  I've done some reading and one thing popped out that I think may have happened--perhaps while doing the surgery, the intercostobrachial nerve was cut and damaged.  After the first year of suffering through the pain, I changed breast surgeons and am seen on an ongoing basis every four months for just a routine breast exam on the left and also checking on the right side on the scar line, as I was told by the second breast surgeon there is a 10% chance that cancer smetimes recurs on the scar line.  I've had CT Scans and 3 Breast MRI's and PET in the past.  There's nothing there that has been of help to the oncologist.  If there is anyone who has had any success with getting successful treatments of any kind, let me know.  I had my cancer at age 55 and am now 63 years old.  Would like corresponding with anyone in a similar situation.  Patti in Cincinnati       http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,31514,0.htm Patti_in_Cincinnati Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hello. My husband had Whipple 4 weeks ago. He was home after 11 days wih J-tube & drainge tube. He still has boh tubes. We are hoping that drain t. will be removed tomorrow. He has lost 25 lbs & looks extremely anorexic (he weights 130 lbs now). He is very depressed, even though we had a great news that tumor was not cancerous. He got permission to start eating since last monday, however doctor did not really explain that much what he can eat. he said at first clear liquids, than clear soups. And than what? He has been eating boiled potatoesw/out butter, just salt and warm rice pudding. He has no fat left on him & feeling extremely cold all the time. The entire family is suffering with heat in California 74F winter.... Can someone please share with me what you eate(exactly) once doctore allowed you. How long did it take for you to get back to somewhat normal life.I am very scared for him. I will be leaving to Russia for the whole month on the 17th for my mother's surgery (she had total gastorectomy last year). So, I have mu plate extremely full I appreciate any input.Thank you http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,31172,0.htm spiro Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT I have read most of the posts and the number of posts that deal with unmanaged pain really makes me sad. Everything you read about chemo talks about the potential for pain and how pain management should be a priority, however it seems many of the docs, oncologists included, just don't get it. Plain Tylenol when your pain is screaming? I don't think so. I worked as a hospice nurse in the Boston area for many years and I am greatful to say the docs I worked with did not allow patients to suffer. They were willing to prescribe whatever it took to keep the patients comfortable. I am nowhere near needing hospice but the pain is there and it often prevents me from trying to be as normal as possible. When the pain is that bad that is all you can think about. Yes, I do understand drug seekers, drug addiction, etc. I resent like heck these docs who have never had cancer/chemo treat me as if I am a everyday run of the mill junkie. With all the options available for pain management there is no reason anyone should ever be in pain, unless they choose to decline. I have talked with so many folks who are experiencing the same problem. If you go to another doctor you are considered to be doctor shopping. I understand DEA monitors the docs prescribing habits and the docs try to avoid that but doesn't common sense come in to play somewhere?Thanks for listening. Guess I just needed to get on my soap box for awhile.                 Patsy http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,30597,0.htm MaEarth Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Just before I was diagnosed with cancer I was also told I have a torn rotator cuff. I had a cortisone injection which didn't help. After the cancer diagnosis the rotator cuff took a back seat. After I had a port put in for some  reason the rotator cuff got worse. My worse pain is from the arm though I do have pain from other areas too. The doc agree now is not the time to address the arm issue.The problem is the pain medicene I was taking I have built a tolerance to and asked my doc for an increase/stronger med. His reaction makes me feel as if he thinks I am a drug seeker. I am only trying to get through and it sure isn't helping not being able to sleep due to the pain. Everything I read about chemo says pain management should be a priority. Any advice for how to get my doc to understand would be appreciated. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,30543,0.htm MaEarth Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT I have found reliable and useful articles dealing with pain management. They have come to be of great use to me and hopefully to all of you as well. http://www.thirdage.com/pain-management http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,30509,0.htm jeff_d Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hello,my uncle is at stage4 of colon cancer.  For the last past 3 months he is having severe abdominal pain.  He was on tramal, then on morphine (30 mg) and later morphin einjection.  The pain used to decreased, but for the last past one month, the pain is increasing.  He was using duragesic patch, 50 microgram and now that too no more works.  For last past one week, his pain was being taken car by an anesthesist, he even has peridural doses, but now they say they can`t do anything more to handle the pain.  That`s a real pity, the medical world gives up once they hear cancer stage 4, now they even give up in managing pain!!! One has the right to die in dignity or not?? Anyway, can someone help me, he had one chemo session 2 weeks back and no radio therapy.  His oncologist saying that he might help using the radio therapy.  can anyone help me, should we go further with radio therapy and how can we handle his pain. We can no more see him in so much pain.    http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,29771,0.htm desperatemim Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Please help me if you know someone who has gone throught this. How will I know it's the end? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,29377,0.htm phaedress Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am looking for anyone else with chronic widespread pain after a bi lateral mastectomy.  My initial surgery was 8 yrs ago and I still have entense pain.  I have always had the chest pain and accepted that.  However, the pain isn't just in my chest, but in my neck, legs and feet. I have been to several doctors who can't give my any answers, so I gave up and just tried to deal with it.  I have been on ultram for 3 yrs, and although, it takes the edge off, it doesn't help much.  Most mornings I can't walk, due to the pain in my feet.  I just recently begin to think it was related to my surgery.  I was thin all of my life, then after surgery I gained 40lbs.  I thought the pain in my feet and legs was due to the extra pounds.  Then, 2 yrs ago I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, I was told it was probably caused by the radiation treatments for breast cancer.  Last year I just had my 10th surgery.  I have an extremely high pain tolerance, but day after day and year after year, I'm tired.  I need to find someone who knows something about this, so I can get help.  I just feel like a whinner, so I don't say anything to my husband and children.  It's hard to act normal, when you wanna just lay down, be left alone and not move.  It's not fair to my family.  Light massage seems to be the only thing that helps... but only for a very short time.  Thanks for reading! Take care and my heart goes out to everyone still in the cancer fight.  Stay strong.  If anyone needs to talk, please email me. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28966,0.htm KymLovesLucy Sat, 04 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT My loving mom was diagnosed with gallblader cancer and liver mets at the end of August.  She has never been one to take meds.  However now she needs them and I am getting very discouraged with the drs.  Up to last week she was up and walking around...up to this point she was taking two Advils every 4 hours.  But as of last Wed.  the pain started getting worse and the Dr. prescribed Hydromorph 1 mg - one every 4 hours.  Well, ever since...she has been sleeping constantly and when she gets up or sits up she feels pain still.  We had been waiting for an oncologist appointment for one month.  We went yesterday and when the oncologist saw her he said she was too week for chemo....I tried to explain that this all started when the family dr. prescribed this drug...but he said it was a standard drug and said she was ready for palliative care.  He wanted to admit her there and then.  My mom was given tylenol with codeine when she had her biopsy and that made her throw up.  Then she was given oxicontin with tylenol and that did the same...and then she was given the patch 25 mgs. but it didn't do anything.....and that's why she stuck with the advil.  The oncologist threw up his hands and said that the Hydromorph was the standard medication..."take the pain or the sleeping" were his exact words....I'm getting more and more discouraged with the drs.  It seems that when they know my mom's age...they put her off.  I'd like to know if they'd do that if it was their own mother????  What happened to the quality of life that everyong mentions??   This is not quality....Anyway...I'm sorry for rambling on and on...but this is awful and I'm feeling so stressed.  Anyway...I'd greatly appreciate if you can let me know if all pain meds cause drowsiness/sleeping in the elderly???  Can anyone please give me the names of some other pain medications that she might try?   Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!!Thanks so much. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,28836,0.htm dllfb Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hello everyone,I am a fellow patient (medullary Thyroid Cancer) and I've just passed the 2 year point. I had a thyroidectomy and a radical left neck dissection as well as a tracheostomy. Between the surgeries and the following radiation treatments I became awfully fond of my meds. ( Oxycodone).My doc used a drug called suboxone to get me off the "oxy". Now I'm in the process of getting rid of the suboxone. Does anyone have suggestins on how best to handle the effects of drug detox?  I'm my own worst enemy. The little devil on my shoulder always says " after all the bad days in the last 2 years why not take the pill and feel better right now?"The bottom line is I'm making progress but if there is an easier way to battle the craving and side effects, I'd really like to hear it. Thanks http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,27089,0.htm tom55 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Does anyone know if there is any success in using an epidural to block pain in the lower back from cancer that has spread into the lymph nodes in the lower back--my son had a celiac block for belly pain and it seems to have cut his pain from a 10 (or 17as he said once!!) to a 5, sometimes lower. It is now his back that hurts the most. Know they are used to help normal people with bad backs--let me know if you have any info--Linda http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,26814,0.htm scaredmama Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am curious as to what other people are taking for the pain management that are taking Femara? I cant use aspron products I am a bleeder that includes Ibuprofen.Thanks http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,26761,0.htm ANGEL58 Sun, 03 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT My boyfriend has had radical neck dissection, 40 lymph nodes removed.  Radiation--all about 3 years ago.  He continues to have severe pain all around the left ear, below it and down the jaw line, neck area and across the shoulder and to collar bone.  He refuses to take the heavy duty pain meds and patches still are not site specific.  The inside of his throat hurts all the time too---more at the end of the day.  Does anyone have any suggestions for the pain that is not riddled with the side effects of the Class C drugs?  Thank you.  I continue to search and search.  Has anyone tried acupuncture?  or is there a nerve block of some sort?  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,26503,0.htm judysellsnaples Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Taking pain meds,increases the risk of constipatiion. I have triedeverything from over the counter. Does anyone has any suggestions.  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23616,0.htm underdog Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT