Pain Killers - Need urgent advice

tartos

Hi Everyone,

My dad has lung cancer and at the moment he has extreme pain in the effected lung which is constant. He is taking Oxycontin to help him through the pain but not helping as much as he would like.
I wondering of there is anyone out there with similar pain but managing it well with their type of pain killer medication.
Does my Dad need to get admitted to hospital to get relief or are there other options within medication?
Please let me know.

Thanks everyone in advance for your support.

Tartos

PBJ Austin

I feel for your dad
I remember how severe the pain was right after my surgery, it's so awful when every breath you draw is excruciating. I took Vicodin for my pain but I don't know if that's stronger than Oxy. In any case I definitely think you should call the doc and find out if s/he can recommend something stronger or possible hospitalization with an epidural. Good luck and please keep us posted.

cobra1122

There are so many different pain killer out there and all effect each person differently. Although the pain your dad feels is not working as much as he would like, he is on a strong pain killer, maybe a simple adjustment of dose is needed. I went from oxycodone to morophine and they just keep adjusting the dose of which I am on immediate release and long lasting, they have adjusted both the dose and time between doses. It helps but with bone and nerve pain it does not take it all away, just more tolerable. I have a very high tolerance for pain ( if you read my bio you will understand). Sometimes a routine of pain killers and meditation help, I have used this to help get me through some rough patches.
Sometimes Docs dont want to alter a persons mental status by using to strong a doseage or another drug, it sounds like your dad needs to address this with his Onco Doc and see what if anything can be done to help in this situation. I have been through so many drugs that I have built up so high a tolerance that many do not even work, and this can happen.
Unfortunately there is no easy fix, and along with the drug there are the side effects, so sometimes we do the best we can with what we have. I also use ice (some people heat works) to help control the pain. it sometimes is a matter of just finding the right combination.
I realize this is not the quick answer you were looking for but there really isn't one.
I am on Hospice now and they are always trying to increaser my pain doseages to help me out but I want to know what is going on around me, I don't want to be over medicated that I can't enjoy the life I have left.
I truly wish your Dad our best and hope that he can find the right mixture for himself, and I hope that they can treat him so he to can become one of the many survivors as on this site.

Our Prayers and Best Wishes to Your Dad, You and Your Family,

Dan and Margi Harmon

tartos

cobra1122 said:

There are so many different pain killer out there and all effect each person differently. Although the pain your dad feels is not working as much as he would like, he is on a strong pain killer, maybe a simple adjustment of dose is needed. I went from oxycodone to morophine and they just keep adjusting the dose of which I am on immediate release and long lasting, they have adjusted both the dose and time between doses. It helps but with bone and nerve pain it does not take it all away, just more tolerable. I have a very high tolerance for pain ( if you read my bio you will understand). Sometimes a routine of pain killers and meditation help, I have used this to help get me through some rough patches.
Sometimes Docs dont want to alter a persons mental status by using to strong a doseage or another drug, it sounds like your dad needs to address this with his Onco Doc and see what if anything can be done to help in this situation. I have been through so many drugs that I have built up so high a tolerance that many do not even work, and this can happen.
Unfortunately there is no easy fix, and along with the drug there are the side effects, so sometimes we do the best we can with what we have. I also use ice (some people heat works) to help control the pain. it sometimes is a matter of just finding the right combination.
I realize this is not the quick answer you were looking for but there really isn't one.
I am on Hospice now and they are always trying to increaser my pain doseages to help me out but I want to know what is going on around me, I don't want to be over medicated that I can't enjoy the life I have left.
I truly wish your Dad our best and hope that he can find the right mixture for himself, and I hope that they can treat him so he to can become one of the many survivors as on this site.

Our Prayers and Best Wishes to Your Dad, You and Your Family,

Dan and Margi Harmon

higher dosage
Hi Everyone,

Thank you both to your replies.

My Dad went to the doctors today and it appears that my Dad was not taking his drugs as perscribed. He is scared that taking too much pain killers will have stronger side effects. So now he is going to take what he should before the pain arrives....i hope.

I can understand how he feels but what choice do you have if the pain is too strong.

He also mentioned to me that his appetite is almost gone. How have you all handed that part of your recovery? IS there a suppliment that he could take? Should he take vitamins as well?

Your advice is valuable and I wish you all well in your fight.

Best to you all

Tartos

PBJ Austin

tartos said:

higher dosage
Hi Everyone,

Thank you both to your replies.

My Dad went to the doctors today and it appears that my Dad was not taking his drugs as perscribed. He is scared that taking too much pain killers will have stronger side effects. So now he is going to take what he should before the pain arrives....i hope.

I can understand how he feels but what choice do you have if the pain is too strong.

He also mentioned to me that his appetite is almost gone. How have you all handed that part of your recovery? IS there a suppliment that he could take? Should he take vitamins as well?

Your advice is valuable and I wish you all well in your fight.

Best to you all

Tartos

Thanks for the update
I remember being very afraid of addiction to Vicodin after my surgery so I tried to quit cold turkey. I was positively miserable and I realized I quit too soon. I started taking it again but after that I tapered off my use and in a few weeks time I didn't need it anymore. So I do understand why he would be concerned about drugs but the bottom line is you must breathe. If he follows doctor's orders he s/b OK.

I have no direct experience but there are several members of this board who recommend Boost as a nutritional supplement.

All the best to your family.

cobra1122

tartos said:

higher dosage
Hi Everyone,

Thank you both to your replies.

My Dad went to the doctors today and it appears that my Dad was not taking his drugs as perscribed. He is scared that taking too much pain killers will have stronger side effects. So now he is going to take what he should before the pain arrives....i hope.

I can understand how he feels but what choice do you have if the pain is too strong.

He also mentioned to me that his appetite is almost gone. How have you all handed that part of your recovery? IS there a suppliment that he could take? Should he take vitamins as well?

Your advice is valuable and I wish you all well in your fight.

Best to you all

Tartos

tartos
I am glsd to hear that your Dad isn't having a bad problem, it is one alot if us have had. I, myself, was very against uponng my pain killers , afraid it would cause me to become to out of it. But The Docs and nurses have explained and tuned it in so I get maxium releif with minimal side effects. I lost my appeitite after chemo, but my wife made me Boost Milkshakes and that did help keep needed nutrion in my body til I got my appeitite back, usually this is a short time side effect. Yes vitams are good, there are so many suppliments out there some work, some don't. Check with your doc and also with your Pharmasist, they sometimes can help in this matter.

Our Prayers and Best to Your Dad, You and Your Family,
Dan and Margi Harmon