Advice Please

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.

Hello,

I'm really sorry to hear about your cancer and your pain. Managing your pain, I believe is a major part of treatment. Communication with your doctors and nurses, about your pain is very important. If the doctor didn't seem to be listening to your concern, try talking to his nurse.

You are the only one who knows what kind of pain you are in and how badly it is effecting your everyday life. If they do not wish to incease the dosage of your medication, and it is not recommended that you take more then the amount prescribed, ask him if you can have a lower dose, fast acting perscription as well to take when the pain is unbearable. I take 40mg oxy every 12 hours and i have 5mg oxy, to take when needed. 

As long as I stay on schedule with my 12 hour, it works alone most the time, just fine. But on days when I've went up and down the stairs doing laundry, had to go shopping, well just done any extra activities, I find the pain increases and the quick acting pills are a blessing.

You might try going to the National Cancer Institute and get the booklets by Johns Hopkins they have about managing cancer pain and how to talk to your doctor. As well as any other books that may be of use while your on this road in your life. Or you may even be able to pick up copies of the books in the doctors office, your doctor is an Oncologist.

 Best of luck to you

Take care

Lisa  

On 11/22/2008 MaEarth wrote:

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.

I dont know about you but I never got my doctor to understand. You have I have the same problem with pain medicine the ones I was taking I to have built a tolerance to it and asked my doc for an increase with stronger med. it was not only His reaction but his staff and any hospital I went to that made me feel also as if they thinks I am a drug addict. I’m only took them like you as I was not able to sleep at night because of the pain. I found a naturopath who could help with cancer my naturopath who put me on to very large dose of vitamin C 6000mg of vitamin BIO C and high dose of minerals each  day with in a week and a bit my pain was just about gone  I’m off the pain meds now thank heavens I now take high dose of colldall sea minerals it all helps  I have a  rotator cuff in my right  shoulder to. I keep sleeping on it a frand said change my pillow to a biger one I havent tryed it yet will do later take care Ray