Medications

I need advice please.  My mom is undergoing chemo for stage 4 Klatskin tumor met to liver & lymphnodes and is taking Oxycontin for pain when needed.  She was also prescribed Lorazepam for anxiety as needed.  She has only taken a few of these so far but when I was on drugs.com it states not to use it if severe liver problems.  Shouldn't this cancer be considered "severe..." and maybe not prescribed or taken?  I don't want to knowingly give her something I think may adversely affect her.  What possible drugs could be used in her case as a substitute?  Mild depression on occasion, stomach pain and weakness in legs are her only other side effects.  And loss of appetite for obvious reasons.  THANK YOU FOR ANY ADVICE YOU CAN OFFER!

Jamie in GA

 Hi Jamie,

Petty much every drug you look at will caution you about using with liver problems.  I'd guess it is a tough balance choosing between the risk of a problem with the drug and the benefit.  Anxiety and depression can be bad as well.  I don't worry too much about the liver problem because every week when they draw blood, they check they do a blood test to check liver function.   If there is a problem they can quickly stop the use of certain meds.  I'd ask her doctor if they do check the liver function each time they draw blood. If o your mom is probably ok using it.

Take care and God Bless you.  Being a caregiver is very difficult and your mom is lucky to have you looking out for her. 

On 3/23/2008 JamiefromGA wrote:

I need advice please.  My mom is undergoing chemo for stage 4 Klatskin tumor met to liver & lymphnodes and is taking Oxycontin for pain when needed.  She was also prescribed Lorazepam for anxiety as needed.  She has only taken a few of these so far but when I was on drugs.com it states not to use it if severe liver problems.  Shouldn't this cancer be considered "severe..." and maybe not prescribed or taken?  I don't want to knowingly give her something I think may adversely affect her.  What possible drugs could be used in her case as a substitute?  Mild depression on occasion, stomach pain and weakness in legs are her only other side effects.  And loss of appetite for obvious reasons.  THANK YOU FOR ANY ADVICE YOU CAN OFFER!

Jamie in GA

On 3/23/2008 JamiefromGA wrote:

I need advice please.  My mom is undergoing chemo for stage 4 Klatskin tumor met to liver & lymphnodes and is taking Oxycontin for pain when needed.  She was also prescribed Lorazepam for anxiety as needed.  She has only taken a few of these so far but when I was on drugs.com it states not to use it if severe liver problems.  Shouldn't this cancer be considered "severe..." and maybe not prescribed or taken?  I don't want to knowingly give her something I think may adversely affect her.  What possible drugs could be used in her case as a substitute?  Mild depression on occasion, stomach pain and weakness in legs are her only other side effects.  And loss of appetite for obvious reasons.  THANK YOU FOR ANY ADVICE YOU CAN OFFER!

Jamie in GA

Hi Jamie,

The liver is the "cleanser" of the body and when the liver is effected very badly, it cannot do it's work properly. On the other hand, your mother is in a very bad state. It is very important to talk to the doctor why he prescribed this medicine (for example is your mother a very nervous or worrying kind of person) and what he thinks of the effect of this drug to the liver. Then you can allways choose whether or not she takes this drug or not.

My husband has the same cancer and is doing very well, already 10 months now. The only medicine he gets is Ursochol, which makes the bile thinner so it can flow more easily. But with him it is also a matter of how many days, weeks or hopefully months he will still have. For every day without pain or stress (he is the least stressful person you have ever met) we are very gratefull.

I too know how difficult life also is for the caregiver. So I wish you a lot of strength and please take also good care of yourself.

Kind regards,

Iris.

On 3/23/2008 JamiefromGA wrote:

I need advice please.  My mom is undergoing chemo for stage 4 Klatskin tumor met to liver & lymphnodes and is taking Oxycontin for pain when needed.  She was also prescribed Lorazepam for anxiety as needed.  She has only taken a few of these so far but when I was on drugs.com it states not to use it if severe liver problems.  Shouldn't this cancer be considered "severe..." and maybe not prescribed or taken?  I don't want to knowingly give her something I think may adversely affect her.  What possible drugs could be used in her case as a substitute?  Mild depression on occasion, stomach pain and weakness in legs are her only other side effects.  And loss of appetite for obvious reasons.  THANK YOU FOR ANY ADVICE YOU CAN OFFER!

Jamie in GA

Jamie,

As you have been told many times before...a stage 4 Klatskin Tumor is more than serious.  Why are you asking us about the medication? It sounds like your trust in Doctor George Kim has faltered.  If your mom has been advised to take Oxycontin for pain, things are not going well. I believe you know this cancer is severe, and you should also know the medication is just to make your mom as confortable as possible not cure her...In your message it sounds like you perscribed the medication, I'm you didn't. Are you second guessing her doctors...if so change the doctor. If you're looking for a different medication they will make her feel better, good luck...I think you should realize your mom is going through a very serious illness and at this point I don't believe you are going to find any miracle drugs out there beyond what has been prescribed. The only advice I can give you at this time is to spend as much time with your mom as possible...her quality of life is important. I know the stress you're feeling, but don't plant unrealistic idea's in your head...it will only hurt more in the end. Sorry for being to the point. Take Care, I wish you and your mom all the best. Leonard   

I have no problem with the Oxycontin for pain.  I actually encourage her to take it as soon as she feels the pain beginning.  The other drug (that she won't take & I haven't encouraged, although we did pick it up from the pharmacy) has a side effect that I am questioning if it is the best choice.  If it helps with her anxiety but it is damaging to the liver (rushing it's demise) is it worth taking?

Yes, I know how serious the cancer is.  Yes, I want her to take whatever will help ease the pain (whether it's physical pain or emotional pain).  I think you must've misunderstood my concern.  Maybe my fingers didn't type what my mind was thinking.

As for the trusting of the Dr. - I do -    Dr. Kim at Mayo is not who she's going to though.  She opted to take Gemzar chemo at her local hospital instead of the clinical trial chemo drugs at Mayo in Jacksonville.  My father and I agree to let her make the decisions for treatment, we will support her.  But we do want to make her aware of everthing so she can make wise decisions upon being informed.