Hi Ed. I also suffer from chronic pain and can tell you some of the things
I've tried. Initially, I was taking morphine or hydromorphone whenever the
pain got bad. Often, though, the pain had already gotten too bad for the
meds to be much good. So I switched to hydromorphone contin (or ms contin).
These are time release capsules and administer the medication at regular
intervals (to keep the pain at bay). I also take dilaudid for breakthrough
pain. He may also be a candidate for a nerve block. Has his doctor
mentioned/discussed this option with him? Most towns have pain clinics with
doctors who specialize in pain management; I would strongly recommend he
consider this. There are also a couple of good internet sites available.
These can be found under "pain management".
Hope this is of some use. If I can help in any way, please let me know. I
know how debilitating pain can be! Your friend will be in my prayers.
Your friend,
Bridget
>From: Ed Galick <egalick@erols.com>
>Reply-To: mol-cancer@lists.meds.com
>To: mol-cancer@meds.com
>Subject: [MOL] Pain after Chemo Treatment for Bladder and Prostate Cancer
>Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2000 15:08:05 -0500
>
>I would like to find something to help my friend. This individual has
>been through many chemo treatments and had bladder and prostate removed
>last summer. He is presently cancer-free. A few months ago he began to
>complain (and he usually never talks about pain) of severe pain in his
>legs. The condition has worsened. There was a blood-clot found and a
>shunt placed in the leg. He now is in so much pain that he cannot stand
>or sit. He only finds comfort in a fetal position on his left side. He
>is weak from inactivity and depression. Local doctors have suggested
>pain management, though he has been on morphine for several months
>already. Is this a condition of peripheral neuropathy? Should he go to
>an Anethesiologist (Pain Specialist) or a Neurologist? Thanks.
> egalick@erols.com
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