My moms first chemo Tx.

Hello Board. My mom was dx. with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer and metastitis to the liver on March 1. This is one hell of a dz. She started chemo March 9 (Gemzar) and tolerated it okay. The following day she felt groggy and was almost crying in pain from the tumor. She also says her eating habits have changed. I am aware that her appetite will decrease...but, she is eating often. She says she always feels hungry...and that sensation is strong. Last night, was the first night that she slept in her bed. What I am learning from her is that she sleeps in her recliner b/c she can't lay flat. I thought this was a good sign that maybe the chemo was working. This morning though..she was crying again in pain. She does not have a script for morphine or dilaudid..the hard stuff. She tries to take pain pills that make her less groggy b/c she wants to spend time with us. Anybody have suggestions of a great pain reliever I can call her Dr. for tomorrow??

Thanks 

HI,

  Gemzar is not my friend and I start to cry just thinking about thursday and what I will have to go through for the next week if my Dr. says I need to stay on that chemo. I am hoping he will change it but will not refuse any treatments as I know he is just trying to fix me the best way he can.

 Percocet is now my best friend and panic if the bottle has less then 3 in it. I have found it takes away most of the pain and yet lets me function to some degree. I spent last weekend in the hospital on moriphine to lessen some of the side effects of my last chemo treatment as the percocets were not working to relieve the pain.

  I am glad your mom is still eating as that is important to regain her strength. Gemzar makes me so sick for over a week that I throw up everything I eat. I make myself eat often as I figure some of the food just might stay down.

Hope this helps

Your mom without question should have a script for either the Fentanyl Patch and Morphine.

No one should have to live with the pain that the tumor creates.

Call your Dr. and if he isn't cooperating, call another.