Unrelenting Pain

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

 

On 11/24/2008 MaEarth wrote:

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

 

I know in Canada I think it all depends on what doctor you have.

I have 2 friends, they are sisters, they were both diagnosed with breast cancer one day apart.

They have different doctors...one who is in pain goes to the doctor and he tells her to take plain tylenol or ibuprofen.

The other goes to her doctor says she is in pain and is prescribed morphine pills.

it isn't right or fair that so many cancer patients have to beg for something to alleviate their pain.

I wish you all the best...my prayers are with you 

 

 

On 11/24/2008 MaEarth wrote:

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

I'm having 1st surgery for invasive ductal carcinoma tomarrow.  I have had a spinal fusion 8 yrs. ago and have a "pain specialist" prescribe pain relief since.  I'm maintaining a 150 mg. doseage of morphine per day for 1 yr.  Since my diagnosis/which now includes bone met.  I have been told I will not get any more pain relief meds.  The pain in my hip and ribs has come to crawling to the toilet, screaming in agony, and the urge to take every old rx in the house.  My "pain specialist" the minute he found out about the cancer literally turned me over to the "other doc's".  The cancer doc's don't seem to hear that the pain is almost too much to take.  "Your doseage of daily morphine should be adequate".  Who are they kidding?  They aren't the ones who can't take a step because of the pain in my hip or the horse kicking me in the ribs when I breathe too deep.  If this is going to get worse I suppose I WILL find a way to get "illegal" drugs.  Is there an answer?  Where does one turn?  I took alot of pain meds after my back surgery but took myself off them when I felt I could handle the pain.  Believe me it was not an easy thing to do but felt  the effects of the drugs were worse than the pain.  I stayed off all pain meds for over 1 1/2 years until I blew another disc under my fusion.  I'm so afraid that it will get worse,  read about bone metastis and can look forward to very little help from them.  Someone please help.