Pain Worsening

afraidinindy
afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
It's been a bad two days. My husband's pain has worsened. He is on Fentynl 75 mg patches and taking Oxycodone every 2 to 4 hours and still huring terribly. How do you know when he's getting too much medicine or whether the meds need changed or increased? It's terrible watching him suffer like this. Also, I'm frightened to go to sleep with him like he is. What is a person supposed to do? I'm so afraid.

Comments

  • shmurciakova
    shmurciakova Member Posts: 906 Member
    #2
    Hi,
    I know it is late so I figured I would try to help, which I hope it does. Does your hospital have a pain specialist, or a pain management team? Do you have their telephone number? Maybe the doctor on call can call you back and prescribe something different for your husband if you explain the situation.
    Otherwise you could take him in to the emergency room where they could administer IV pain meds.
    Another thought I had, if he does not want to do that is to just give him some sleeping pills. Does he have any? At least he could maybe be able to get some rest, or does he have Ativan? That might take the edge off long enough for him to fall asleep.
    At any rate, I would try to get ahold of his pain management team or his doctor ASAP and let them know the Fentynl is not working. I was on Oxycodone after my last surgery and it did not help me too much. it just made me really edgy.
    Maybe a different class of pain killers would do the trick.
    They need to get a handle on his pain. There is no reason for him to be suffering like this. Or you either, dear.
    I hope that helps some.
    Good night for now,
    Susan.
  • afraidinindy
    afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
    #3
    shmurciakova said:

    Hi,
    I know it is late so I figured I would try to help, which I hope it does. Does your hospital have a pain specialist, or a pain management team? Do you have their telephone number? Maybe the doctor on call can call you back and prescribe something different for your husband if you explain the situation.
    Otherwise you could take him in to the emergency room where they could administer IV pain meds.
    Another thought I had, if he does not want to do that is to just give him some sleeping pills. Does he have any? At least he could maybe be able to get some rest, or does he have Ativan? That might take the edge off long enough for him to fall asleep.
    At any rate, I would try to get ahold of his pain management team or his doctor ASAP and let them know the Fentynl is not working. I was on Oxycodone after my last surgery and it did not help me too much. it just made me really edgy.
    Maybe a different class of pain killers would do the trick.
    They need to get a handle on his pain. There is no reason for him to be suffering like this. Or you either, dear.
    I hope that helps some.
    Good night for now,
    Susan.

    Thanks for your concern. He finally settled down and slept quite well. He does have Ambien CR which seems to help with his sleep. I'm just so concerned he will get too much medicine and not sure how I would know what to do or even worse, I fear the cancer not knowing what to expect. He is being treated through the Pain Management Clinic. He seems so drugged but continues to be in pain. He wants to go to Disney World on the 2nd and I'm wondering how I will be able to handle him i he can't get relief without being so drugged. Thanks.
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #4
    afraidinindy said:

    Thanks for your concern. He finally settled down and slept quite well. He does have Ambien CR which seems to help with his sleep. I'm just so concerned he will get too much medicine and not sure how I would know what to do or even worse, I fear the cancer not knowing what to expect. He is being treated through the Pain Management Clinic. He seems so drugged but continues to be in pain. He wants to go to Disney World on the 2nd and I'm wondering how I will be able to handle him i he can't get relief without being so drugged. Thanks.

    Oh, Indy... I am praying for you both. Have you talked with hospice yet? I can't remember. They are so good at pain management... As for the trip I hope you can all go and enjoy it. You are not alone, Indy, even though it feels like it right now. It's OK to be scared... we all are to some degree. But be the squeaky wheel and call hospice, call the doctors, the pain management team or whoever. You're his advocate. Be strong. HUGS!
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #5
    I'm no expert, but early on someone gave me some very wise advise, which I followed.
    "Don't be a pain hero". Chronic, intense pain will only wear hubby down. If the pain regiment that is in place is not working, there are other drugs. You ARE his strong advocate, don't worry about being termed a ****.
    Reducing pain as much as possible is the goal, his comfort is a stake.
    Hugs, Kathi
  • mindy10
    mindy10 Member Posts: 182 Member
    #6
    Hi, I really suggest that you get Hospice. We waited to long for my dad to get hospice and I think it was because my mom was in denial and didnt want to admit what was happening and figured if she didnt get Hospice it would not happen. He suffered in pain for no reason because we where not giving him the right amount because we where not nurses. Hospice will tell you exactly what to give and when to give more. They gave him Ativan which really calmed him down when he had his really agitated moments. He should not have to suffer in pain. Morphine is probably the best medicine for pain management. I know your afraid of Hospice but you would not believe how much stress they took off my mothers shoulders when they steped into our house. I pray for God to give you strength. I know how difficult it is because I just watched my dad go through it for 2 1/2 months. Mindy
  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #7
    Please get the hospice service ASAP. They know best how to manage the pain and keep one comfortable. This should be your highest priority. There are a lot of pain meds and there is no necessity to suffer. Perhaps it is time for morphine. I think that you should be more concerned with eliminating the pain and keeping him comfortable rather than being concerned that he is being drugged. Hospice also would be able to advise you what to expect and whether a trip to Disneyland is doable.

    God Bless you in this struggle...
  • pepperdog
    pepperdog Member Posts: 96
    #8
    Indy, your husband should not have to suffer this kind of pain. There are too many medications out there to help. Everyone's tolerance is different and a drug that works well for one won't be as effective for another.

    My husband has a very high tolerance for pain medication; it takes a lot to work on him. I found that his oncologist was hesitant to prescribe enough pain med to work, but his internist helped us get on top of the problem. Also, Ativan helped tremendously. It relaxed him and seemed to enhance the effect of the pain medicine. Don't stop pushing the doctors for help, and if you have to be a **** and yell, do it.
    Pepperdog
  • cherriann
    cherriann Member Posts: 155 Member
    #9
    i think everyones advice is right on target. i wish we all could be there to put our arms around you and give you strength but know you have lots of shoulders to let it out on. heres a big hug sent your way.
    cherri
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #10
    the meds need to be changed, or dosage increased when whatever he is taking isn't doing the job. There are a lot of drugs out there, and he may need something else. I have 24-7 pain-(not from my cancer) which is now under control with Dilaudid; if the patches/oral meds are not working, it's time for a morphine drip or something that will do the job. Jump up and down on the doctor's desk until something is done. Bud

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