How long does the pain last from treatment?

Klingels
Klingels Member Posts: 78
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

My husband is 2 weeks post treatment. What are your personal experiences with how long the pain lasted? One of his nurses seemed to think he might need pain meds for maybe another 2 weeks.

Comments

  • SuzJ
    SuzJ Member Posts: 427 Member
    #2
    2 weeks

    the 2 weeks after radiation are the worst, then you have a week of total gunk in your mouth.

    I didnt use painkillers much, I just suffered, because I drive a lot for work.

  • Sprint Car Dude
    Sprint Car Dude Member Posts: 181
    #3
    Everyone is differen't

    My experienced team advised the radiation keeps working for about a month following the last treatment. If his pain is real, then a timeframe doesn't really matter. Take the medications. Stay hydrated and eat that protein.  I stayed on my pain meds for about 2 months which included a week of slowly stopping the medication. The thick sputum was there for about that same time frame.  It will get better a little bit better each day. Probably a few slides back down also. But rest assured it will improve. Good Luck.

  • LiseA
    LiseA Member Posts: 266
    edited August 2017 #4
    By the second week, I was

    By the second week, I was already feeling better. I did continue to choke for a couple months afterwards, was very fatigued, but the sores had started to heal by week 3, and there was very little pain.  I used a Fentanyl patch the first week home and that was it.

    they said it gets worse before getting better, but it didn't turn out that way for me.  I wish him luck.  

  • Andy13460
    Andy13460 Member Posts: 115
    #5
    Every one is different

    Off pain meds after 4 days even though I still had pain they caused more problems than they solved. 14 days after I had a slight sore throat still.

    36 days out today and all feels normal now, eating is good, saliva is good, no pain & energy levels are good. Exercising every day back to work next week.

    Good luck

  • HowardSanders55
    HowardSanders55 Member Posts: 2
    #6
    2nd Week

    Thanks all, I am starting my 2nd week off of both Chemo and Radiation ( 8 Chemo sessions and 33 Radiation sessions).  Toughest for me has been that I have been unable to swallow without any pain.  I was given a liquid oxycodoyn to help, but it casued constipation.  

    Your experiences and shared insight have been very helpful.

  • HowardSanders55
    HowardSanders55 Member Posts: 2
    #7
    Andy13460 said:

    Every one is different

    Off pain meds after 4 days even though I still had pain they caused more problems than they solved. 14 days after I had a slight sore throat still.

    36 days out today and all feels normal now, eating is good, saliva is good, no pain & energy levels are good. Exercising every day back to work next week.

    Good luck

    Inspring!

    Inspring!

  • lewcap
    lewcap Member Posts: 23
    #8
    LiseA said:

    By the second week, I was

    By the second week, I was already feeling better. I did continue to choke for a couple months afterwards, was very fatigued, but the sores had started to heal by week 3, and there was very little pain.  I used a Fentanyl patch the first week home and that was it.

    they said it gets worse before getting better, but it didn't turn out that way for me.  I wish him luck.  

    post treatment pain

    I just finished my 2nd post radiation week(no chemo, just surgery and radiation), and I'm grateful that I found this thread today. The time since radiation has largely been awful - especially the last 3 days. I'm using Fentanyl and oxycodone for breakthrough pain. Throat feels terribly swollen, and my neck and shoulders hurt miserably. Doctors think I have lymphoedeme but haven't referred me for treatment yet. I think they said I had to heal more prior to referral - though my search today disputes that... Shall start another thread on that.Think 'll finally make a list of questions and turn to ya'll for support. This is one heck of a ride.

     

  • Barktender
    Barktender Member Posts: 3
    #9
    Andy13460 said:

    Every one is different

    Off pain meds after 4 days even though I still had pain they caused more problems than they solved. 14 days after I had a slight sore throat still.

    36 days out today and all feels normal now, eating is good, saliva is good, no pain & energy levels are good. Exercising every day back to work next week.

    Good luck

    Everyone is different

    I have not started treatment yet.  What do you feel made the difference for you?  And would you do it again?. I have a sqawmus cell carcinoma behind my nose and lymph.  Right now I feel good. Except my hearing is dimmer. Also how would you prepare with what you know now. Thank you for your time.

  • DanceSkater
    DanceSkater Member Posts: 62
    #10
    HowardSanders55 said:

    2nd Week

    Thanks all, I am starting my 2nd week off of both Chemo and Radiation ( 8 Chemo sessions and 33 Radiation sessions).  Toughest for me has been that I have been unable to swallow without any pain.  I was given a liquid oxycodoyn to help, but it casued constipation.  

    Your experiences and shared insight have been very helpful.

    Constipation

    Silace is a LIQUID stool softener.   My local CVS did not carry it but they were williing and able to order it for me.

  • caregiver wife
    caregiver wife Member Posts: 234
    #11
    HowardSanders55 said:

    2nd Week

    Thanks all, I am starting my 2nd week off of both Chemo and Radiation ( 8 Chemo sessions and 33 Radiation sessions).  Toughest for me has been that I have been unable to swallow without any pain.  I was given a liquid oxycodoyn to help, but it casued constipation.  

    Your experiences and shared insight have been very helpful.

    constipation

    Husband had good success with Miralax, which is tasteless and will disolve in just about anything.  Very gentle.

  • possumtrot
    possumtrot Member Posts: 9 Member
    edited August 2017 #12
    constipation

    In the beginning I  had  severe constipation which was only releived with fleets enema.  The regimen I was given, and started working after 5-7 days, was two gel caps of docusate sodium morning and evening plus Miralax in the morning.  I've back off to one gell cap in a.m., two in p.m.  Works well the last 3 weeks.

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