How To Deal With Pain?

My father is 58 and was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer with metastases to the lymph nodes and possibly the spine, six weeks ago. He is undergoing a course of chemotherapy in the UK and is trying very hard to remain positive but finding it very hard when faced with so much pain, mainly in his back and chest.

He has asked me to ask for any advice on how best to ease/deal with the pain.

He has also asked how often others with a similar diagnosis receive a CT scan?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Emily-
My husband has stage 4 lung cancer with a mass in his neck and chest areas -- he uses oxconytin 30 mg two times a day (these are 12 hour tablets - slow released) along with oxconytin 5 mg tablest in between for pain. You're father should not be in pain -- he should have whatever it takes to be comfotable, I am a nurse and believe me the doctors don't keep these cancer patients comfortable enough. Demand that your father gets adequate pain control from his doctors. There are several patches available also to keep him pain free. Cancer pain is very wicked and he deserves to be pain free. God bless - Take care, Nancy

Dear Emily: I have to agree with Nancy. Aside from taking oxycotin (time released) there are other things to consider. First, my heart goes out to your father and to you. I was diagnosed in 2000 with pancreatic cancer. I have been through the 5FU chemo (lasted only 5 or 6 treatments because of adverse reactions), and in 2002 I went on a regimin of gemzar chemo. My list of medications is incredible. However, for pain I am taking Vicodin ES (7.5/750) every 4-6 hours as needed. I take 300mg of neurotin (which helps with pain) 2 times a day and 100mg of neurotin 1 time a day. I also have recently been prescribed 100mcg of a patch called Duragesic (morphine) and also liquid morphine. I should probably explain that I started with pancreatic cancer stage 3 (now stage 4), but it has spread to my liver, lungs and bones. There is no reason why anyone should have to live everyday in pain. I would suggest asking your doctor about neurotin and vicodin. Oxycotin is a time-release pain pill (as is the morphine patch), but, in the interim for pain, the vicodin and neurotin may help. The neurotin is supposed to help numb the nerve endings (from what i understand) I was also given valium to relax my muscles (5mg) and help ease pain. I should probably also point out that I didn't start with 100 mcg's of the morphine patch. I started with 25. My dosage has just recently been increased because the cancer in my bones in my ribs is getting severe enough that the vicodin really isn't hitting the pain like it used to. I hope some of these ideas may help guide you in helping your dad find some relief. May God bless both of you. As far as a CT scan goes, I have had a few over the years, as well as a PET scan. I had 2 CT scans in one year (1 every 6 months. I hope some of this helps you! Marsha

Dear Emily: I have to agree with Nancy. Aside from taking oxycotin (time released) there are other things to consider. First, my heart goes out to your father and to you. I was diagnosed in 2000 with pancreatic cancer. I have been through the 5FU chemo (lasted only 5 or 6 treatments because of adverse reactions), and in 2002 I went on a regimin of gemzar chemo. My list of medications is incredible. However, for pain I am taking Vicodin ES (7.5/750) every 4-6 hours as needed. I take 300mg of neurotin (which helps with pain) 2 times a day and 100mg of neurotin 1 time a day. I also have recently been prescribed 100mcg of a patch called Duragesic (morphine) and also liquid morphine. I should probably explain that I started with pancreatic cancer stage 3 (now stage 4), but it has spread to my liver, lungs and bones. There is no reason why anyone should have to live everyday in pain. I would suggest asking your doctor about neurotin and vicodin. Oxycotin is a time-release pain pill (as is the morphine patch), but, in the interim for pain, the vicodin and neurotin may help. The neurotin is supposed to help numb the nerve endings (from what i understand) I was also given valium to relax my muscles (5mg) and help ease pain. I should probably also point out that I didn't start with 100 mcg's of the morphine patch. I started with 25. My dosage has just recently been increased because the cancer in my bones in my ribs is getting severe enough that the vicodin really isn't hitting the pain like it used to. I hope some of these ideas may help guide you in helping your dad find some relief. May God bless both of you. As far as a CT scan goes, I have had a few over the years, as well as a PET scan. I had 2 CT scans in one year (1 every 6 months. I hope some of this helps you! Marsha