Help with Unbearable Pain?

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afraidinindy
afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Does anyone have suggestions on what to do when the pain management doctor says she can't do anymore to ease my husband's suffering unless he is given medication to keep him asleep all the time? I don't want that, but I don't want to see him suffer anymore. He has an epidural that has eased him somewhat but is still having terrible pain in the lower pelvic and rectal areas. He is also taking 2 Oxycodone IR tablets every two (almost 24/7 now). Any ideas what I can do? He has an appointment on Tuesday to have a PET/CT and see an oncologist at the Indiana University Medical Center for a second opinion, so we can't get hospice care until after Tuesday. I truly don't think I will be able to take him there in the condition he is now in. Our doctor says she thinks he has less than 2 months. Please keep him in your prayers.

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  • JADot
    JADot Member Posts: 709 Member
    #2
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    You've just brought tears to my eyes. It must be so hard for you to watch a loved one suffer. I am so sorry to hear about what both of you are going through right now. I wish there's something I can do to help, but alas, I feel very powerless. I am sending both of you healing vibes, and good wishes. I hope the docs will have something to ease the pain.

    - JADot
  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #3
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    Lois,

    It is better to keep him asleep than in pain. Can they use morphin?

    My thoughts and prayers are with both of you.

    God Bless,
    Eleonora
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #4
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    Indy -

    My heart goes out to you both and your family. I know it is extremely difficult to see a loved one suffer and know that they are losing their fight despite their best efforts.

    What does your husband think about sleeping? I realize you don't want to let go, but it is him that is suffering. What does he want/need?

    Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

    - SpongeBob
  • mindy10
    mindy10 Member Posts: 182 Member
    #5
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    Hi, im so sorry for what you are going through I know its a very difficult time through experience. If he is in that much pain, the best thing is a morphine drip so he is always knocked out. Thats what they did for my girlfriends mom and I think it was the best thing for her and the family. Like Spongebob said ask him what he wants. It really is up to him. If he does not want to be knocked out then so be it. But if he does, I believe you have to go with his wishes. I pray for God to give you strength for the days to come. Mindy
  • jerseysue
    jerseysue Member Posts: 624 Member
    #6
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    My prayers on with you and your husband. I hope they find something that will make him comfortable.
  • steelerfan
    steelerfan Member Posts: 26 Member
    #7
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    I am so very sorry for what you and your husband are going through. I know it must be very hard to see him suffer like that. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. May God Bless you both.
  • donnyb
    donnyb Member Posts: 22
    #8
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    Hi, so sorry to hear about your situation. You both are in my payers. Is the Oxycodone the immediate release type and what is the dose. Sounds like you're probably at the high end. Did yor doc mention a Fenatyl patch for pain relief? I heard it works well. Let me know. All my best to the both of you, Don.
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #9
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    Dear Indy -

    I am so sorry for what you and your husband are going through. I hope you can find sufficient pain relief, and sad as it is, if being knocked out turns out to be the only way to control pain, if he is OK with it, then that is what you should do.

    In my thoughts,
    Betsy
  • oneagleswings
    oneagleswings Member Posts: 425 Member
    #10
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    I am so sorry to hear that your husband is in so much pain and hope that if you can get hospice involved they may have some suggestions.
    What about accupuncture..is that an option to go along with the pain meds? I know how heartbreaking it is to see someone you love suffer...you and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Bev
  • finner
    finner Member Posts: 230 Member
    #11
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    oneagleswings said:

    I am so sorry to hear that your husband is in so much pain and hope that if you can get hospice involved they may have some suggestions.
    What about accupuncture..is that an option to go along with the pain meds? I know how heartbreaking it is to see someone you love suffer...you and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Bev

    I am so sad to hear about all the suffering you all are going through. You are in my thoughts big time.

    XXXX
    margo
  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
    #12
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    I will include you and your family in my prayers, and thoughts. i am so sorry you have to go through all this. If he can't get to his appt on tues - call to see what can be done. Hospice is such a wonderful program for your husband and for you. The goal is comfort. Talk to the docs if you all can't get to the appt.

    Please understand, we are here for you. Anytime you feel overwhelmed - please come here for shoulders to lean on... we have a lot of shoulders.
    jana
  • afraidinindy
    afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
    #13
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    donnyb said:

    Hi, so sorry to hear about your situation. You both are in my payers. Is the Oxycodone the immediate release type and what is the dose. Sounds like you're probably at the high end. Did yor doc mention a Fenatyl patch for pain relief? I heard it works well. Let me know. All my best to the both of you, Don.

    Thanks for your reply and concern about my husband. I'm not sure of the oxycotone strength off hand, but he is taking two tablets every two hours. He is on a morphine epidural with a couple other medications in it. They increased it yesterday and again today. I took him to the doc today to have the dressing changed on his epidural. She thought his bladder was not emptying and was building up pressure against the tumor. They checked him and put a catheter in. He was on the Fentanyl patches (200 mg) along with the Oxy and various other combinations but could not be relieved. So far this evening he has been fairly comfortable. He is going to Indiana University Medical Center tomorrow morning for a PET/CT scan and to see an oncologist for suggestions from their perspective. Please pray that they can find someway to help him.

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