Best pain management med?

gener
gener Member Posts: 2
in Breast Cancer #1

Hello out there.  I've been doing as much research as possible for my mom.  Does anyone know of a strong pain medication that will not screw up her liver?  I heard something recently got passed but it's not available yet.  Any and all comments/info is appreciated.  Thanks.

Comments

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #2
    This is a hard one.
    I am now on a Fentanal patch. But since this began, I started with Loritab, that made me sick. Than Tylenal w/codine..(Tylenal 3) . That helped for a while. I was on Tramadal, Tried one for Neuropathy. I take Ibuprophen 800 for headaches or when my joints get really bad, but I am on Coumaden so I very seldom use the Ibuprophen.
    I dont do well with any of the opiates so I need to take anti nausea with most pain meds.
    I would check with your doctor because some of them do not work for certain pain, and we all react so differently to all meds.
    What kind of pain is she having?
    Carol
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #3
    Pain

    Marijuana, if you have it legal where you are.  Works brill, no side effects and organic.  J xx

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #4
    tasha_111 said:

    Pain

    Marijuana, if you have it legal where you are.  Works brill, no side effects and organic.  J xx

    Marijuana can change pain

    Marijuana can change pain perceptions and help to make pain more bearable, however, marijuana does not block pain pathways to eliminate (or nearly eliminate pain).  Marijuana can have side effects such as headache, sinus problems (if smoked), paranoia, mental fog, etc.  First law of pharmacology is EVERY drug has a side effect.  If marijuana helps, use it, but we are all so different.

    Re marijuana: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/254454.php

    The gold standard for pain remains opioids.  They do indeed have side effects.  The most common are nausea, fatigue and constipation.  Taking them with meals can help with nausea, but I battle nausea with nearly everything.  The chart below describes the relative strengths of different opioids.  Oral morphine is the reference drug and ascribed a "1" rating.  Every other opioid is then compared to it.  For example, IV morphine is assigned a "3" because it is 3 X stronger than oral morphine and fentanyl is assigned a "50-100" (depending on dose) because it is 50-100 X stronger than oral morphine.  I hope this makes sense and helps.  If not, feel free to pm me.

    See chart: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equianalgesic

    Part of why I have made it so long (nearly 27 years, 8 with Stage 4), I believe, is that I try and puzzle out what will work for my side effects.  I do not stop therapy if at all possible, because I am very, very stubborn about fighting cancer.  For me, cancer is the enemy, not the treatment. 

    This is not always easy.  And what works for me may do nothing for you.  We are all so biologically and chemically unique.

     

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #5
    CypressCynthia said:

    Marijuana can change pain

    Marijuana can change pain perceptions and help to make pain more bearable, however, marijuana does not block pain pathways to eliminate (or nearly eliminate pain).  Marijuana can have side effects such as headache, sinus problems (if smoked), paranoia, mental fog, etc.  First law of pharmacology is EVERY drug has a side effect.  If marijuana helps, use it, but we are all so different.

    Re marijuana: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/254454.php

    The gold standard for pain remains opioids.  They do indeed have side effects.  The most common are nausea, fatigue and constipation.  Taking them with meals can help with nausea, but I battle nausea with nearly everything.  The chart below describes the relative strengths of different opioids.  Oral morphine is the reference drug and ascribed a "1" rating.  Every other opioid is then compared to it.  For example, IV morphine is assigned a "3" because it is 3 X stronger than oral morphine and fentanyl is assigned a "50-100" (depending on dose) because it is 50-100 X stronger than oral morphine.  I hope this makes sense and helps.  If not, feel free to pm me.

    See chart: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equianalgesic

    Part of why I have made it so long (nearly 27 years, 8 with Stage 4), I believe, is that I try and puzzle out what will work for my side effects.  I do not stop therapy if at all possible, because I am very, very stubborn about fighting cancer.  For me, cancer is the enemy, not the treatment. 

    This is not always easy.  And what works for me may do nothing for you.  We are all so biologically and chemically unique.

     

    P.S. In terms of avoiding a

    P.S. In terms of avoiding a med that will affect her liver, I would avoid any pain med with acetaminophen (tylenol).  There is a pain med called vicoprofen, which is hydrocodone and ibuprofen (advil).  Most drugs are processed by the liver at least somewhat, so I would definitely ask her doc about this question.  Tylenol is a big no no for liver problems.  Hope this helps!

  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #6
    CypressCynthia said:

    P.S. In terms of avoiding a

    P.S. In terms of avoiding a med that will affect her liver, I would avoid any pain med with acetaminophen (tylenol).  There is a pain med called vicoprofen, which is hydrocodone and ibuprofen (advil).  Most drugs are processed by the liver at least somewhat, so I would definitely ask her doc about this question.  Tylenol is a big no no for liver problems.  Hope this helps!

    Hydromorphone?

    My Doc prescribed this for me I daren' take it... soo scared of addiction/overdose/   Sounds well nasty

    J xx

Discussion Boards