PAIN TREATMENT

CASSIEME1

you know if doctors had to experience the side effects that we feel. had all of our bad side effects they would be better in treating us.

Teachertina

True, but a good doctor will be able to find the right stuff for you. I don’t do well with the strong narcotics! My oncologist tried different things and different doses until he found what worked for me without all the bad side effects. It takes a bit more time I guess, which might be why that doesn’t always happen for everyone. There are so many possibilities with all the drugs out there that there’s no reason for any of us to be suffering in pain. Insist on getting the help you need! The opioid epidemic is creating some of this issue to be more of a problem too, I’m sure.

GregP_WN

I have just started with the pain and getting control over it. The mantra at Vandy has always been that they won't let you lie in pain. After the opioid crisis started they implemented a process where they will still get you the pain meds you need, but they will counsel you a little and you must sign an opioid pain medicine contract which says that you will do what you are supposed to do and not do what you're not supposed to, ie: sell drugs, go from pharmacy to pharmacy trying to get it filled over and over, etc. Other than that it's the same so far. I got a script for pain last week, it was weak oxy 5mg. It knocks the edge off and does the job right now. The script says I can take one every 4 hours but all I do is take one in the morning when I get up and one at bedtime.

This morning before treatment they asked me about pain again, am I doing alright, do we need to change anything, etc. So I feel pretty good about the future if I get worse that I'll be able to get more help.

How much help you get is definitely a matter of where you are getting treated at. And, what kind of history your doctor/facility has had with pain medicine issues, law suits, etc.

I agree, those of us that are just trying to get better and don't want to roll around in bed in pain shouldn't have to pay the price for those who turned into drug dependants. But, it is a slippery slope.

po18guy

Would we want doctor to have chemo brain?

ChildOfGod4570

I remember when I was in active treatment and felt uneasy about getting chemo, people advised me to ask my doctor if they would give the same treatment to their mother or wife ... or in the case of female doctors ... if they would take it themselves if they were the patient. When I was going through chemo, nobody dreamed the first infusion would hit me as hard as it did, and they had to take precautions in order to prevent more hospital stays. I also remembered getting an opioid RX when I had my lumpectomy and then after my hysterectomy. I might have taken just one at night for a couple of days so I wouldn't have to toss and turn while my affected area was hurting like all get out. Then it was normal Advil, and the opioids largely went unused. I do remember after the hysterectomy having to sign a paper saying I wouldn't share the pills. Too bad they don't have smaller bottles or blister packs for people who don't take many pills and provide the option to refill as needed. Then pills wouldn't go to waste. HUGS and God bless.

Mary1313

Doctors (and their families) get cancer, too. My gynecologist had breast cancer, which is why I sought out her advice to begin with.

petieagnor

Yes, the opioide issue causes some Drs. to not prescribe more. I believe it is a catch can situation. I had to tell my Dr. that I have low threshold for pain. I got 30 pills with very strict instructions. It took me nearly 9 months to use them, but I had them. She didn't let me suffer.

Bengal

One of my doctors WAS diagnosed with cancer several months ago. It is amazing the transformation in his interaction with his patients. As he himself said, he's one of us now. He "gets it". However, as much as I appreciate his new found empathy, having been through surgery, chemo, radiation, debilitating medication and all the emotional stuff that goes with it myself, my heart hurts for him. What a cruel irony.