Whats your Pain like due to stage 4 cc

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wanda23
wanda23 Member Posts: 58
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My mom has stage 4 colorectal cancer with mets to liver, and recently started to have more pain every 4 hours and takes 4mg of pain meds everytime, the doctors are going to give her pills that she will only have to take twice a day starting this week (one in day and one at night,every 12 hours) my mom seems weaker also not as perky as she was a month ago( she has been on folfox and avastin every 2 weeks since Sept 2007), I try and ask her what the pain is like and she has a hard time trying to explain it? Can anyone help me out in what type of pain she may be feeling, it seems to be around the liver area or colon?

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  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #2
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    Hi Wanda -

    I am sorry your mother is experiencing pain. I wish I knew how to help, but I really haven't experienced any pain since my colon surgery. Did your Mom have colon surgery? I assume so, but if not, it is entirely possible that the pain is related to partial colon obstruction from the primary tumor.

    I'm hoping you find answers and that the new pain medications help your Mom and make it easier for her to take.

    Take care,
    Betsy
  • livefreeordie
    livefreeordie Member Posts: 45
    #3
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    I am stage 4 with huge liver met. But, I hardly have any pain, I dont know why. The little pain I do feel is in the liver area and tylenol takes care of it. I guess everyone is differant. Folfox makes me weaker, and it takes at least a week to recover.
    The emotional pain of it all is worse then the physical pain for me right now..
  • jerseysue
    jerseysue Member Posts: 624 Member
    #4
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    I have lots of pain I'm stage IV ned at the moment. However they tell me that my pain isn't due to the cancer. I take morphine every 12 hours and vicadin or perkiset (sp??) for break thru pain. My pain is in my back and seem to move to the front where my ovaries used to be.
  • wanda23
    wanda23 Member Posts: 58
    #5
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    Betsydoglover said:

    Hi Wanda -

    I am sorry your mother is experiencing pain. I wish I knew how to help, but I really haven't experienced any pain since my colon surgery. Did your Mom have colon surgery? I assume so, but if not, it is entirely possible that the pain is related to partial colon obstruction from the primary tumor.

    I'm hoping you find answers and that the new pain medications help your Mom and make it easier for her to take.

    Take care,
    Betsy

    No my mom didnt have any surgery (colon or liver), they wouldnt do any, wow I am sooo exhausted trying to figure things out to try and help her, she has such a grimish look of pain on her face, not sure how to perk her up, she is such a positive good spirited person and all of a sudden, she looks down all the time, I ask her is she depressed and she claims no, but I thinks its this funny pain she gets thats keeping her down...she says its a throbbing, tingly, sharp pain???
  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    #6
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    You may check with her doctor to see what he/she thinks is the cause of the pain. If she didn't have surgery than it is possible that it is due to a partial obstruction from the primary tumor or an area of mets. Perhaps they could do targeted radiation therapy to the area if it is obstruction. I'm sure the pain is dragging her down. Hope she gets some relief.

    ****
  • changing
    changing Member Posts: 134
    #7
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    Yes see if they can find the source BUT regardless no one should be in pain in this day and age!!! The pills you're getting should help greatly and MAKE sure the MD gives you another script for breakthrough pain should it become needed. If you end up using 2 or more doses of the breakthrough pain daily THEN call the MD and let him know that too as he may have to increase the 12 hour doses a bit. Remember initially it may take a couple of days for the 12 hour meds to come to a peak in the blood to get a steady even flow in the system but it will come. We'll be praying for you both. By the way, I have mets to the liver but I use a pain patch as I get so sick with the chemo I can't take the pills right now. The pain patch has helped a lot yet I did have it increased once and may go up a tiny bit more soon but I'm fairly comfortable and able to sleep again at night.
  • changing
    changing Member Posts: 134
    #8
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    changing said:

    Yes see if they can find the source BUT regardless no one should be in pain in this day and age!!! The pills you're getting should help greatly and MAKE sure the MD gives you another script for breakthrough pain should it become needed. If you end up using 2 or more doses of the breakthrough pain daily THEN call the MD and let him know that too as he may have to increase the 12 hour doses a bit. Remember initially it may take a couple of days for the 12 hour meds to come to a peak in the blood to get a steady even flow in the system but it will come. We'll be praying for you both. By the way, I have mets to the liver but I use a pain patch as I get so sick with the chemo I can't take the pills right now. The pain patch has helped a lot yet I did have it increased once and may go up a tiny bit more soon but I'm fairly comfortable and able to sleep again at night.

    Oops I should've read a bit more. Please remember that pain meds increase constipation, so it's importnat to rule out a blockage FIRST! Then if MD orders pain meds tell your Dad to be very vigilant in keeping a good bowel regime.
  • FLmel
    FLmel Member Posts: 4
    #9
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    I am stage 4 with liver mets, being treated with chemo (3rd time) but have never had pain after my colon operation when first diagnosed in 11/04. I do have side effects from the chemo. I would keep checking with doctors for a reason, I'm sure there is one. Each patient in different.
    Hope you can find out.

    Melanie
  • sladich
    sladich Member Posts: 429 Member
    #10
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    I'm stage IV also and have had liver mets. I've experience no pain with these; however, I did have colon surgery. I think the pain must be from the colon. I hope your Mom finds relief soon.

    Debbie
  • apache4
    apache4 Member Posts: 272 Member
    #11
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    Hi! I am sorry to hear about the pain your Mom is experiencing. I am 63, Stage IV, currently NED. I have never had any pain due to the cancer, but have lots of pain from my bad back and neck. I also get muscle pain when I do too much physical activity. Is it possible that she has pain due to age related issues? I know that since the dx. each time I feel pain, I immidately think of the cancer until I stop and think about the other stuff. I, also, have had stabbing pains in my side that really hurt, but 'have had those for years and no one seems to know what they are. They go away and I just wait for that and do not take meds as I don't want to stress out my liver. I hope that she feels better soon.
  • dash4
    dash4 Member Posts: 303 Member
    #12
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    My husband is Stage IV, diagnosed 10/04. His pain started in 8/04 and to this day cannot understand what is causing it - but all believe it is real. The chemo seems to help control it-makes no sense-but true.
    The other posts are right--there is absolutely no reason for your mom to be feeling pain. Find a pain clinic if her pain is not being controlled. My husband takes oxycontin -12 hour release..his mg have varied from 40 to 120 3x day and oxycodone for his breakthrough med and even at those amounts-he still carries on his daily routines. My point being-when you need the pain meds-you can tolerate higher doses and then feel well enough to get on with living! Keeping you in my prayers,
    Mary Kay

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