thoughts about pain pills

Hi Jean,
I have been
Hi Jean,
I have been thinking about this my self. I am on Arimedex, Started in Jan, I have burning in my feet and they are numb at the same time and then they start itching. Plus pain in my hips and knees. All side effects. I thought about switching to tamoxifen but don't know if it would make a difference. So far what works best for me is 2 Ibuprofen every four hours. But I don't think I should do that for 5 years or I wont have a stomach left LOL. I see My Dr this week I will have to talk to her then. Take care Kay {{sigh}}

pain pills
Jean - if you need pain pills, then you should take pain pills. You need to take what works. Due to a neck injury several years ago, combined with numerous breast surgeries, I have had horrendous pain shooting down my arm. I need to take Vicodin several times a day to be able to function without pain. I've had surgery (cervical fusion), physical therapy,cortisone injections in my neck, and will be starting acupuncture soon. Do I wish I didn't have to take Vicodin - certainly! But it is a medical necessity, closely prescribed and overseen by my doctor. Luckily, I don't have any side effects from the Vicodin, just relief from pain. Do not feel like you have to apologize or make excuses for taking pain meds. If they are medically precribed, then take them.
Hugs, Linda

jphilpo said:

thank you
You made me feel so much better! I read these posts and admire everyone so much . I hate that these side effects have changed my life, but the guilt from taking a daily pain pill overwhelms me at times. Thank you for your kind words,

Hugs to you, too,

Jean

pain pills are just for that
pain pills are just for that pain. the only other thing I can think of is acupuncture. I know I have had to take things I havent wanted to. but you need to live your life. If you see an escalation, or the pill doesnt work then talk to your doc.
kay the numbness and burning in you feet sound like neuropathy. I got his from chemo taxol to be exact. neurontin and lyrica can help this. as well as B6

carkris said:

pain pills are just for that
pain pills are just for that pain. the only other thing I can think of is acupuncture. I know I have had to take things I havent wanted to. but you need to live your life. If you see an escalation, or the pill doesnt work then talk to your doc.
kay the numbness and burning in you feet sound like neuropathy. I got his from chemo taxol to be exact. neurontin and lyrica can help this. as well as B6

I'm confused
My Dr. put me on neurontin and i thought it was for pain i can deal with the neuropathy cause i only feel it if i get warm and i then all the needle sticking and tingling feeling starts that's what i thought the neurontin was for no wonder it's not helping the pain in the joints. MOLLYZ

For Jean "Handling Side Effects"
Aromatase Inhibitor are known for bone and joint pains and they can be intolerable while Tamoxifen and Faslodex work differently. I don't remember bone and joint pains while using the latter. We all have different reaction to drugs, so there is no one size fits all.

If you need a little help in sleeping or dealing with pain medication, I see no reason why you should not have them. We aren't suppose to be superwoman.

I have a lot of pain due to many medical conditions including stage IV cancer. I wear a fentalyn patch which helps enormously and it's good for 3 days. I wear a lidocaine patch on my ankle as I have PTTD. That works about 3 hours though it states 10 hours. I use voltaren gel on my knees and left shoulder which helps with inflammation. I also use neurotin as it helps with nerve damage due to 2 lymph node dissection and various problems in the chest, shoulder and arm. If the pain becomes unbearable as it can, I use oxycodone. I try hard not to use this drug unless I really need it. All are prescriptions, given by my primary. Each health care provider receives a list of both prescription and over the counter drugs and approve of my usage.

Usually so exhausted as I do continue to work that falling asleep at night is not a problem. I have tried various ways to deal with the side effects of each condition. Usually, I go the whole 9 yards before resorting to drugs. When all else has failed, then it is the last recourse. I am a strong believer in using what is available, quality of life is very important.

Your question: "should I be able to handle these side effects better?"

My long story here is to show you that sometimes we need help and it is available. Why not use it?

Wishing you the best,

Doris

Pain and coping
As always this too is something that is different for each of us. I found through my battle with my breast cancer there was even a greater struggle after all the treatments were done. I unfortunately had suffered every side affect possible even hitting the 1% chances and then struggled with side affects from all the medications I tried to allow me a life with better quality.
For almost 4 years I suffered so much pain and it took many medications to tear through the layers of pain left from actual diseases I am now left to cope with. I spent years with a pain specialist and thankfully for her I have known what it is like to live a very productive life and actually able to do the physical work that I have always been able to do.
I learned something very valuable from my Dear Dr. Pippa Hawley was that one can never hurt themselves with medication as long as one never exceeds the maximum dose levels. I suffered migrains for many years and no other doctor cared much about that just give the girl another round of anti depressants which came with their own side affects head aches one of the major ones. My mother the nurse said that she has relied on over the counter medication especially at night a tylinol or advil giving much relief so she can at least get to sleep. I also know so many people addicted to BEAN BAGS heated in microwave which also soothes the weary areas of their bodies. I use it too when have a bad spot and it truly helps.

All I can say too is treating pain is important because we usually are depressed if suffereing but depression doesn't cause the pain. It took about 5 years for me to change the pattern seared into my brain after suffereing for so long. I do have bad times but have problems so what should I expect. I take pills little but do if the pain sticks around or headache sticks.

Quality to our lives is something we all should have,
Tara

Heatherbelle said:

don't feel bad!!
Jean,
As stated before, there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to breast cancer treatments and side effects. I have been on 2 percocets/daily since my 2nd chemo treatment. We tried vicodin at first but it did not take care of my pain. I've tried neurontin, lyrica, with no avail. What works for me is taking ibuprofen every 4 hours, and percocet in the morning & afternoon. I also have the lidocaine patches for my hip, which is getting worse and that scares the crap out of me. I see a pain management doctor. I was taken off tamoxifen after 3 or so months - long story but i switched oncs for a 2nd opinion on the tamoxifen & found out that since im ER- the tamoxifen wasn't doing me a bit of good! Anyway, the pain eased throughout my body after stopping tamoxifen, but i have terrible pain in my hips and on the tops of my hands, and my pain dr. and i have found a good combo that works for me, and we're sticking with it.
Bottom line - don't feel bad at all about needing heavier pain meds. That's what they're for.
*hugs*
Heather

We all have taken pain pills
We all have taken pain pills at some point during our journey with bc. Do not be sorry or apologize for it. You take them when you need them. I pray that someday soon, you won't need them.


Hugs, Angie