how long until the pain goes away

arndog64
arndog64 Member Posts: 537
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My husband wants to get back to work, but he's still on pain meds and he goes off shore
and you can't take pain pain meds while on the oil rig. He is getting frustrated.. He was going to go next week, but it's for BP and they are super strict. So, we will continue to count our pennies.. LOL

Comments

  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    #2
    It can come and go
    Doug's doctor was telling us about a patient who had to start taking pain meds again (stronger ones than the ones she took during treatment) because she had mouth sores pop up; they heal very slowly and are pretty painful. It's one of those situations where you hope for the best and expect the worst - it sounds like he's eating well, and that will help him heal faster. Remember you can't just stop taking the pills - it's best to taper off either by reducing the dosage (if it's liquid or you've been crushing pills, this is easier) a bit every few days, or by lengthening the time between doses an hour or so every day. Both ways take a couple of weeks (unless you notice absolutely no increase in pain level, in which case you can speed things up). An exception is the Fentanyl patch - you really do have to take it easy on stopping that, to avoid withdrawal, as some on this list know too well.

    About counting those pennies - was he not getting paid on disability or leave up until now? I'd be very surprised to hear that BP didn't have disability insurance, and your doctor should be able to write something saying that he will not be able to return to work for the next X weeks (ours used a big number as you can always go back early, but it's hard to extend).
  • arndog64
    arndog64 Member Posts: 537
    #3
    DrMary said:

    It can come and go
    Doug's doctor was telling us about a patient who had to start taking pain meds again (stronger ones than the ones she took during treatment) because she had mouth sores pop up; they heal very slowly and are pretty painful. It's one of those situations where you hope for the best and expect the worst - it sounds like he's eating well, and that will help him heal faster. Remember you can't just stop taking the pills - it's best to taper off either by reducing the dosage (if it's liquid or you've been crushing pills, this is easier) a bit every few days, or by lengthening the time between doses an hour or so every day. Both ways take a couple of weeks (unless you notice absolutely no increase in pain level, in which case you can speed things up). An exception is the Fentanyl patch - you really do have to take it easy on stopping that, to avoid withdrawal, as some on this list know too well.

    About counting those pennies - was he not getting paid on disability or leave up until now? I'd be very surprised to hear that BP didn't have disability insurance, and your doctor should be able to write something saying that he will not be able to return to work for the next X weeks (ours used a big number as you can always go back early, but it's hard to extend).

    He is a subcontractor, he is
    He is a subcontractor, he is not employed by BP and his compny did not have a disability program, we qualified for SSI disability and we will start getting payments in October and I think he may still be healing. I asked him today if he stopped taking his meds, what his pain level would be and he said "I would be layed out". He is still taking Morhine in the morning and evening and vicodin in the afternoon. He is 11 weeks out.
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #4
    arndog64 said:

    He is a subcontractor, he is
    He is a subcontractor, he is not employed by BP and his compny did not have a disability program, we qualified for SSI disability and we will start getting payments in October and I think he may still be healing. I asked him today if he stopped taking his meds, what his pain level would be and he said "I would be layed out". He is still taking Morhine in the morning and evening and vicodin in the afternoon. He is 11 weeks out.

    How long?
    How long has he been taking the Morphine? Stuff is addictive, you know, and I really don't think it's a good thing to be on it for very long. I was during 4 of 5 consecutive weeks during treatment, but that's it. Hydrocodone was the only other med for pain I took. Yes, we are all different, but I would be concerned if he's been on the Morph for a couple months. My experience with the Morph is that it doesn't take the pain away as much as it just plain takes one away from one's own body, so there's a disconnect with what the body is actually feeling. At 11 weeks...FYI.

    kcass
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #5
    arndog64 said:

    He is a subcontractor, he is
    He is a subcontractor, he is not employed by BP and his compny did not have a disability program, we qualified for SSI disability and we will start getting payments in October and I think he may still be healing. I asked him today if he stopped taking his meds, what his pain level would be and he said "I would be layed out". He is still taking Morhine in the morning and evening and vicodin in the afternoon. He is 11 weeks out.

    Pain
    Like Kent mentioned concerning Morphine...I couldn't stand it, and for me it did nothing for pain management...it made me nauseaous. I tired it 2 or 3 times and stopped... I had them renew my presription for percocets.

    So my pain was releived with either liquid or pill oxicotin, or hydrocodon, or percocets...

    That only lasted for about a month or a few weeks longer, then I no longer needed it...

    Addiction is always a concern, usually when you actually need the meds for pain during treatment it's not as potential I believe. But if he's still in that much pain after a few months, you might need to address this with the MD's and see what their take on the situation is.

    Not saying he doesn't need them or it isn't warranted, everyone is on a different scenario and many many variables.

    Best,
    John
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #6
    Skiffin16 said:

    Pain
    Like Kent mentioned concerning Morphine...I couldn't stand it, and for me it did nothing for pain management...it made me nauseaous. I tired it 2 or 3 times and stopped... I had them renew my presription for percocets.

    So my pain was releived with either liquid or pill oxicotin, or hydrocodon, or percocets...

    That only lasted for about a month or a few weeks longer, then I no longer needed it...

    Addiction is always a concern, usually when you actually need the meds for pain during treatment it's not as potential I believe. But if he's still in that much pain after a few months, you might need to address this with the MD's and see what their take on the situation is.

    Not saying he doesn't need them or it isn't warranted, everyone is on a different scenario and many many variables.

    Best,
    John

    Morphine

    It will take a while for him to get off the Morphine, anywhere from one to three months or more depending on the amount he is taking, there is no cold turkey with that one. Suggest starting to use a lesser pain killer and tapper off as much as possible, just make sure to let your doctor give you a plan to follow. I did it the hard way and regret it as the withdraws were a real killer.


    Wishing you the best
    Hondo
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #7
    Hondo said:

    Morphine

    It will take a while for him to get off the Morphine, anywhere from one to three months or more depending on the amount he is taking, there is no cold turkey with that one. Suggest starting to use a lesser pain killer and tapper off as much as possible, just make sure to let your doctor give you a plan to follow. I did it the hard way and regret it as the withdraws were a real killer.


    Wishing you the best
    Hondo

    Stopping
    I was able to gradually ween myself off it; but, as noted, I wasn't on it for all that long. My last week w/Morph was #6, and I started the week in the hospital with getting it shot into my Port on an hourly basis. By the end of that week I was able to stop it by increasing my doses of hydrocodone, which is far less addictive/potent. And that is key, I think- "replacement" pain killers to use while reducing the amount of Morph intake.

    I would advise the Caregiver- Morph is nothing to take lightly. It is the ultimate "escape" medicine for the worst of times, but is mega-addictive. The ideal scenario is to only take it when the tx symptoms become intolerable with lesser pain meds- and ONLY then. If he is still taking the Morph, then his pain must be really horrific. This far down the road I would think the actual pain level could/should start becoming manageable with those lesser pain meds- like oxycontin, or hydrocodone. Might be an issue to be discussed by the Caregiver and Dr, alone. Again- Morph is not a pain med to be regarded as "not that big of a deal".

    kcass
  • arndog64
    arndog64 Member Posts: 537
    #8
    Kent Cass said:

    Stopping
    I was able to gradually ween myself off it; but, as noted, I wasn't on it for all that long. My last week w/Morph was #6, and I started the week in the hospital with getting it shot into my Port on an hourly basis. By the end of that week I was able to stop it by increasing my doses of hydrocodone, which is far less addictive/potent. And that is key, I think- "replacement" pain killers to use while reducing the amount of Morph intake.

    I would advise the Caregiver- Morph is nothing to take lightly. It is the ultimate "escape" medicine for the worst of times, but is mega-addictive. The ideal scenario is to only take it when the tx symptoms become intolerable with lesser pain meds- and ONLY then. If he is still taking the Morph, then his pain must be really horrific. This far down the road I would think the actual pain level could/should start becoming manageable with those lesser pain meds- like oxycontin, or hydrocodone. Might be an issue to be discussed by the Caregiver and Dr, alone. Again- Morph is not a pain med to be regarded as "not that big of a deal".

    kcass

    He's been on Morphine for a
    He's been on Morphine for a month now. I am hoping to start getting him taper off the pain meds. Like you all said we are looking at 3-4 months of getting over that hurdle. AARRRGGGHHH!
  • Dav1965
    Dav1965 Member Posts: 132
    #9
    arndog64 said:

    He's been on Morphine for a
    He's been on Morphine for a month now. I am hoping to start getting him taper off the pain meds. Like you all said we are looking at 3-4 months of getting over that hurdle. AARRRGGGHHH!

    My pain story
    I had 95 % of my tongue removed in July 2010. I just got my pain meds bumped up August 10th to 30 kg of oxycontin and 10 mg of oxycodone for breakthrough pain. I am in twice as much pain now as before. I started back eating food in March. At the end of March my ear was hurting really bad. I went to my oncologist 3 times for a earache. He did a ct scan on my head and found a cyst in my jaw and the bone that holds my jaw bone in place is deteriated. Thats where my pain was coming from.

    He found a physical therapist for me we did the exercises and traction to help me out. It seems things got worse. I went Wensday to my oncoligist and told him both hads hurt like the devil when i wake up. I told him i have to take my meds out at night because i cant use my hands at all untill about lunch time. He asked if arthritus runs in my family. I told him real bad. He thinks thats whats wrong with my jaw and hands. He bumped up my pain meds for me. I hurt 2 times more now than before surgery.

    The oncologist said if i have arthritus then pills will fix my jaw and i probally wont have to have surgery. Maybe that will be the case. I hope your husband does better than i did. But unexpected things happen. I lost my job because i was the lead electrician and they had to have one. I have been out of work over a year and have no idea how much longer i will be out. All i can say is spend your time together wisley and enjoy the time together. I miss work bad because i go crazy sitting at home. Luckily i have lots of projects to keep me busy. I can not work more than about 3 hours at a time. God bless. David
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #10
    arndog64 said:

    He's been on Morphine for a
    He's been on Morphine for a month now. I am hoping to start getting him taper off the pain meds. Like you all said we are looking at 3-4 months of getting over that hurdle. AARRRGGGHHH!

    I was on Fentanyl for a
    I was on Fentanyl for a year. Wasn't 'addicted' like in the missuse sense, obviously, because it was for pain relief, but my body was dependent, and it was not easy, even though I stepped down to get off of it. I still went through a week of pretty nasty withdrawal.

    I was surprised how much pain it was masking in my neck from the neck dissection. That was kinda a rude awakening. I think your husband will know when his pain is lessening, and he will be able to taper off.

    I wouldn't try and rush it, because if he goes back to work in serious pain, that isn't going to work either. Constant pain is tiring, wears you down, and distracts you. Not conducive to a great job preformance, and depending on where you work, can be a recipe for disaster.

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