Posted 7/29/2012 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Lee,
It would help to know what pain meds you are currently on or trying. Are you using any prescription pain meds at this time? Or just OTC stuff, or neither?
I have been dealing with severe chronic pain for 2 years now, diagnosed as "cancer pain" in for the form of severe nerve damage from the SRT I endured that did so much damage to me. My worse pains are in the lower back and right hip. Some days, the pain is equally bad in the left hip too, as well as both upper legs.
My oncologist has me on the Fentanyl patches for primary pain reduction, started at 12.5 microgram and worked up to 75 microgram. Fentanyl is basically synthetic morphine. The problem is, that in most cases, a doctor won't start a patient on Fentanyl, until they are deemed "opiate tolerent" by their doctor. This means a patient has already been taking some other opiad pain killer for some time prior. This is why I asked what you have been are on, or currently using.
The Fentanyl takes care of the bulk of the pain, and I use Loratab for what they call "break through pain" at set doses during the day and evening.
I am fortunate that my oncologist is also a certified Pain Manager, so he is really in tune with the real "quality of life" issues, like pain. Perhaps your doctor is versed this way too?
If not, you may need to get referred to a good Pain Management doctor. We live in an age, where there is no reason for a patient to suffer in needless pain. There are a wide range of drugs available, and a doctor will try to find the right mix and balance to suit the needs of a patient. Each person varies in how effective a particular pain drug is in their body, and how well they can tolerate it.
As far as adiction, in the classical sense, the doctors tell me, that if you body is in real pain, the chances of that type of adiction is not common, that is mostly the results of people abusing the drugs, or using them for recreational purposes. Even with the meds I am on, I do not "feel" drug, or sedated, and for all the talk of codiene based meds causing constipation, never had that happen in 2 years. Goes back to what level of pain you are in, and if you really need the meds.
While I don't have bone mets (yet), I do have severe level pain, and its there 24/7. Without the meds, I would have zero quality of life, and would have even less mobility than I even do currently.
Talk to your doctor, and when you discuss your pain level(s), that's the time not to be macho or tough, be honest as to the Pain Scale of 1-10, so that the doctor can tailor a med or comibination of pain meds to best help you.
Please don't continue to suffer needlessly, this is a problem that can be solved.
My best to you,
David in SC