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Pain medicine question???


mama4zach

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Hello everyone, Have a question that my dr can not seem to understand. Up until my lc spread to the bones did I have such a problem. But why can't she just take my word for it. Morphine is very good pain medicine but, it makes me so sick that I can't eat and I can afford to lose anymore weight. She says that it is the best med for me and will not even think about trying anything else. I asked for the duragesic pain patch and she said no that there are too many of those failing and releasing meds at too fast a rate and killing people. If any of you have any advice, please let me know because I need something for pain but I can not lay around sick at my stomach either. Thanks so much, Nancy

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Nancy,

I'm very sorry that your oncologist is being difficult about this. Usually it's the non-cancer patient that runs into problems with getting adequate pain relief.

The Duragesic patch is very safe when used as directed. The deaths that have occured were caused by people abusing the patch by either cutting it or opening up the patch itself to get a quick release of the drug. The patch is designed for long acting relief but people who are looking for a high will break open the patch, thus making it a VERY high dose short acting drug.

I was not able to stay on the patch last year because the lowest dose 12.5 mcg was not enough and the 25 mcg was too much (made me sick and feel VERY bad) but many people tolerate it very well.

There are drugs specifically for bone pain as well though I have no experience with them.

You might ask your oncologist to refer you to a pain management clinic or doctor who will be more comfortable dispensing adequate medication.

I pray that you will get the relief you need.

God Bless.

Antoinette

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Hi Nancy: I don't know much about managing met pain from personal experience. I have not had to deal with that (knock on wood). I guess my first and only thought is to see another doctor. I am rather surprised that an oncologist would not have more pain management tools available. I hope you find somthing that works for you.

Don M

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Nancy,

I've been on oxycodone (long acting) once in the morning and once at night for almost a year now. It's been fabulous. There is also a short acting version, but it made me tired, so this just keeps a continuous supply of medication in my body at all times. This was specifically given to me for bone pain.

Joan

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Lucie takes MS Contin twice a day (30 mg. each) for her pain. She has had multiple bone mets. It works well for her and she has been on it for 3 plus years. We hd to experiment with the dosage to give enough for the pain but not too much for other side effects. You may have to experiment with the dosage. Also, for very severe pain in bones, Lucie has had radiation, which helped tremendously. Don

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Hello everyone, Have a question that my dr can not seem to understand. Up until my lc spread to the bones did I have such a problem. But why can't she just take my word for it. Morphine is very good pain medicine but, it makes me so sick that I can't eat and I can afford to lose anymore weight. She says that it is the best med for me and will not even think about trying anything else. I asked for the duragesic pain patch and she said no that there are too many of those failing and releasing meds at too fast a rate and killing people. If any of you have any advice, please let me know because I need something for pain but I can not lay around sick at my stomach either. Thanks so much, Nancy

Nancy :

If your pain is moderate to severe you might ask the doc to try an oxycodone regimen. If the pain is moderate maybe a Vicodin ES regimen will suffice. Generally speaking, all of these opiate compounds have some undesirable side effects. But, some of these side effects will subside with time.

Good luck.

B

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Nancy -

My mom was on 150mg Duragesic patches after trying tons of stuff - they were a Godsend as they are fast acting and the dosage can be adjusted so easily -- she could take morphine orally as she threw it up(although she did great with a morphine pump.) The Actiq suckers (same Fetanyl as the patch) are great for breakthrough pain. My mom's bone met pain was horrendous...the patches were able to eally keep it under control (along with radiation.)

Tell your onc that your pain level is simply not acceptable. with all of the different drugs out there, you should not be in pain.

Please keep us posted... I will pray that you get some relief very soon.

Holly

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Nancy,

sorry your onc is being so narrow minded. I can't believe she won't concider your feelings in determining your treatment. My husband has insisted that he didn't want to take oxycodone anymore because it made him sleep all the time. Instead he's been on methadone. It's been an absolute miracle as it controls his pain without all the nausea and knocking him on his butt.

Additionally, Keith's onc makes the suggestions on treatment, but he sees a pain management specialist for his pain control meds. They are much more informed on all the available pain treatments and options. I know most medical centers have pain management teams, so maybe look at your hospital or clinic for one. If your onc doesn't understand your view, find another doctor who will.

Hope you get this under control, and i will be praying for you.

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