Back Pain

My mom has been experiencing severe back pain especially when she lies down in the night. She could not sleep well so has to sit up whenever the pain wakes her up. She was diagnosed with advanced stage, with possible mets to lungs and liver (per CT/PET scan). She is doing radiation now, no chemo yet due to her physical weakness. Surgery has never been an option. Has anyone experienced the back pain and what did you do to help you sleep?

Thanks, May

I bought a glider for mom and she has been sleeping on it ever since. She does not feel much pain when she is sleeping on the glider. I should have bought it earlier.

She lost her appetite and only eats a little porridge. Her radiation will be done this Thursday and she will have an endoscopy on Friday to take a look at what causes the pain. I believe the oncologist would like to start her on chemo, but with her condition, it may be too harsh on her body. We thought about J-tube, but she is afraid of the pain.

Hi,

 My husband has severe back pain as well.  His oesophageal cancer has metastasized to his lungs and liver.  Looks like it has now spread to his salivary gland.  Just waiting for results. The doctor has prescribed  him morphine patches whjich he can top up with oral morphine or paracetamol.

No one can give me a ball park figure of how long he has got left.  No one has a crystal ball, but I would like to know the average life expectance at this stage of the cancer. 

Do you have any info?  Hope this helps.

Jen 

On 6/29/2009 JennyLynn wrote:

Hi,

 My husband has severe back pain as well.  His oesophageal cancer has metastasized to his lungs and liver.  Looks like it has now spread to his salivary gland.  Just waiting for results. The doctor has prescribed  him morphine patches whjich he can top up with oral morphine or paracetamol.

 

No one can give me a ball park figure of how long he has got left.  No one has a crystal ball, but I would like to know the average life expectance at this stage of the cancer. 

Do you have any info?  Hope this helps.

Jen 

 

I am sorry about your husband. We once asked about prognosis and were told 6 months to one year. I stopped asking the doctors since life is in God's hand, not in doctors'. But I never stop praying for her or giving up hope.  

Hang in there and stay positive. You and your husband are in my prayers.

May