Update on my pain issue/control

Well, I am well into my 2nd day on the new pain meds combination, and so far, so good.  I already feel that at least 75-80% of the raw pain is well under control.

I am on a Fentanyl 25 MCG/HR patch  (72 hour) and I am only needing (1) Loratab 10/500 pill every four hours starting at noon each day while I am awake.  I am allowed to take up to (8) per day if needed, but I will only take the least required to do the job.

The original patch was half the strength, and for the 4 weeks that I was on it, never felt it was doing any good at all.

The pain I am still feeling is more subtle and subdued, not that raw pain that kept me on edge all the time.  I slept better for the first time in ages last night, probably got 7 hours total  (normal for me regardless is about 5-6), but during the prior 4 weeks, I was only getting 3-4 hours of broken sleep.

Different pain meds work differently from patient to patient.  The oxycodone I was on, just wasn't cutting it for me at all.  Some people swear by it.

I have been on Loratabs as a main pain control med for 2 years anyhow, and body seems to tolerate it well.  It never makes me feel groggy, I get no "pleasure" feeling from it, and I am never constipated, it simply cuts the pain.  Also, it never makes me nauseated like it seems to do with lots of people.

So for now, and I will see how things go the next few weeks before my next meeting with my oncologist  (I think Oct. 26th).

Perhaps this combination will do the trick, until and when the pain develops more (hopefully not) and/or the cancer continues to grow.

I felt good enough to go out last evening for the first time in a month, so in my little world, that is a big improvement.

I have my yearly physical with my GP on Monday, and hopefully there' won't be any new issues.  He will be pushing me again for a colonosocopy - as I have never had one.   But both my urologist and oncologist are strongly advising me not to have it, as they both feel that I am at extreme risk for damage due to all the radiation damage.  While I technically should have one, I am going to take their advice for now, as I am not willing to risk more damage and extra problems.

david in sc

David, I'm really glad to hear you've found some relief from the excruciating pain. 

It may well be (and probably is) impossible to eliminate all pain; however, if they can lower the pain to a level you can tolerate, that can be a real blessing.  If they can take a pain that's a "9" and reduce it to a "3" or a "4," life becomes much more "liveable."

I am very, very glad to hear that you are finding some relief. 

I know your intentions are good by skipping as many Loratabs as you can, but Beth says pain is better managed by medicating before it becomes an issue.  Don't put  yourself behind the 8 ball by waiting for the pain to hit you hard.

Post Edited (clocknut) : 10/2/2011 1:00:55 PM (GMT-6)

Hi David,

Happy to hear that you're getting relief from the pain. Hope to hear that your yearly physical is good, too.

Missed you actually being at Jeff's...but Skype is the next best thing

Mike

David

Good for you! Glad to hear you are getting some relief and have been able to get 7 hours of sleep.

Hopefully the meds will even furthur diminish your pain.

Bud

Good news, indeed, David, glad you are getting relief and rest.

Howdy , Good to hear you got some relief , I use the 50 fentynl patch myself and have for some time . My stomache just does not tolerate pain pills , I started using the patch prior to prostate cancer for the pain with ankylosing spondyitis

David,

Really pleased to hear that you're getting some pain relief and just as importantly, sleep. My Wife always says that sleep is the best healer!

Here's hoping to hear of more prolonged relief.

Chris.

David, Just reading your new post has made my Monday morning! I hope the new meds will continue to lessen your pain, and allow you to get out in the world again. Still not too late to go sailing!

Kerry (Beachbum)

thanks gerry and kerry
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all is not perfect, nor do i expect it to be. ended up with a bad spell yesterday evening despite the meds, extreme pain from the right hip, right leg, all the way down to my ankle on that side. took a couple of hours to subside, couldn't get comfy for nothing. tried sitting, lying down, walking, etc. took a little more med on the last pass of evening, must have helped, as i slept comfortably for the 2nd night, got a full 6 hours.

didnt do much physical all weekend on purpose, will see how i do when i go to PT tommorow and have a more busy day.

but at least its a marked improvement