Guest marciaatl Posted July 23, 2003 Share Posted July 23, 2003 Thanks to all of you who helped me out before surgery on 7/9/03 - it went very well, no complications. And the final pathology report showed clean lymph nodes and a clean margin. That, coupled with the clear PET scan and clear MRI brain scan, left me pretty darn happy about the medical situation. Nonetheless, based on the latest studies, I will probably get chemotherapy beginning in August. I am consulting an oncologist for the second time next week about this (I chose him after interviewing 2 - he is wonderful - very warm and fuzzy). Now, my only questions are about how to handle these damn pain meds? I did Percocet, starting in the hospital, for the first 8 days, starting out at one every 3 hours, and reducing gradually to every 5 hours. Yesterday, I switched to Darvocet, per Dr. recommendation. Started out with that every 4 hours, but it, just like the Percocet, leaves me a little light-headed, fuzzy in the thinking department, but worst of all, nearly always constipated and sometimes nauseous. I have sort of handled the constipation with over-the-counter stuff and diet, but yuk! The nausea is what bothers me the most. Phenergan helps, but really makes me woozy. I tried Zofran once and it seemed to work OK. I feel like I am a moving pharmacy! I'm not complaining awfully, because it is manageable, but I am wondering if there are secrets to taking Darvocet without having the nausea, in particular? In fact, right now it is after 9 p.m., and I have not had a Darvocet since 2:30, having opted for 2 Advils at 8:30 pm instead. I figure I'll take the Darvocet soon, when I go to sleep. Will it be safe to give up the Darvocet now completely and switch to loads of Advil? I know I can't take high doses of Advil either for TOO long . . . I haven't really felt the actual pain from the surgery yet, and don't want to, if I can avoid it. So, it's a balancing act. Any tips? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonathanS Posted July 23, 2003 Share Posted July 23, 2003 Not sure about the pain meds, but I am gad that yu are going to have the chemo anyway- just to be sure that it does not come back at all!!! You will make it!!! I am guessing that you will probably have carboplatin and taxol, as far as chemo goes. Anyway, as far as nausea goes,try the zofran or a drug called compazine. Jonathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobmc Posted July 23, 2003 Share Posted July 23, 2003 Hello Marcia; First, a great big CONGRATS. on the pathology report, that sure helps to take the load off. ; I pretty much went through the same thing your going through with the pain meds., I took over the counter stuff to help with both the constipation and nausa, although the nausa wasn't too bad. I took pepsid or Zantac for it and drank Metamucil at night for the constpation. I weened myself off the pain meds at about 5 to 6 weeks ( had a pneumonectomy ) and like you replaced them with Advil and Tylenol. At 8 weeks with the OK from my doc. I took off for the Jungles of Costa Rica ( family pic. ), the only other issue I had was bladder control , it seems that when I exert myself I have to pee, go figure?? It was a bit of a pain in Costa Rica, I did alot of peeing in the rainforests People were very understanding, God bless, stay well and it will certainly get better. Bobmc- NSCLC- stageIIB- left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norme Posted July 23, 2003 Share Posted July 23, 2003 can't help on this one except my husband took very little meds because of the breathing prob with them.... so glad you are back home and on the road to recovery.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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