best bone cancer pain meds

My husband started with esophageal cancer, which recently metasized to his stomach, liver and lymph nodes which has suddenly developed into bone cancer, discovered when his humurus snapped when he was sweeping on patio. We are at hospital now, where he has had titanium rod placed in shoulder/humurus and hip/tibia (where an incipient lesion was found.) Pain is better now that his bones are stabilized.

How do you deal with the pain? He is on Percocet which keeps the pain around 4. Has anyone found any other drugs that are also useful? More importantly, what about the feeling of being so brittle that you are afraid to do anything?? Any suggestions much appreciated.

Thanks.

Swamis1- Bone pain is "painful"- I have was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in March 2009, finished chemo in September in 2009 and developed bone metastasis in February 2010.  I had a nagging pain in my lung (phantom pain) and a x-ray was scheduled. The night before the x-ray, I had a immobilizing pain and went to the ER.  I was told that they found a lesion on my rib

I had 3 weeks of radiation and have monthly infusions of "Zometa".  The Zometa is used to treat bone mets.  I have absolutely no pain, but perhaps I am not a good example as my bone mets was only 1 rib.

Regards,

D-

Swamis1- Bone pain is "painful"- I have was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in March 2009, finished chemo in September in 2009 and developed bone metastasis in February 2010.  I had a nagging pain in my lung (phantom pain) and a x-ray was scheduled. The night before the x-ray, I had a immobilizing pain and went to the ER.  I was told that they found a lesion on my rib

I had 3 weeks of radiation and have monthly infusions of "Zometa".  The Zometa is used to treat bone mets.  I have absolutely no pain, but perhaps I am not a good example as my bone mets was only 1 rib.

Regards,

D-

A note: Zometa is given to strenthen bones not treat the mets.  Google it and read up on it. mms

As a past end stage of Multiple Myeloma and severe bone involvement. there is oxycodeine and oxycontin with morphine and that only took the edge off. Do not worry about getting addicted that can always be handled at a later date.  If you doc has not had much experience with bone paine then the pERCOCET is not enuf, sounds like you need more.

Until you have had this pain you have no idea how truly painful it can be.  I say those souls tortured could never have suffered more pain than I did and that is saying something.  Hope this helps.  MMS

I have joined this board to reply to YOU.  My husband's prostate cancer, which spread to his bones one year ago, caused unbelievable pain in January.  Terrible.  We had our February meeting with his oncologist (a prostate cancer specialist) in early February to ask for help.  The doctor spoke the magic words:  "There should be no pain."  He put my husband on a protocol that absoluted eradicated ALL pain to this day:  Percocet (two every six hours, including midnight), and Fentanyl patches (one 100 mcg patch and one 50 mcg patch) every three days.  My husband has no pain, even though his cancer is spreading.  I am endlessly grateful for this help.  Good luck to you and your husband!  

DGA

On Apr 07, 2011 4:42 AM dianegarmstrong wrote:

I have joined this board to reply to YOU.  My husband's prostate cancer, which spread to his bones one year ago, caused unbelievable pain in January.  Terrible.  We had our February meeting with his oncologist (a prostate cancer specialist) in early February to ask for help.  The doctor spoke the magic words:  "There should be no pain."  He put my husband on a protocol that absoluted eradicated ALL pain to this day:  Percocet (two every six hours, including midnight), and Fentanyl patches (one 100 mcg patch and one 50 mcg patch) every three days.  My husband has no pain, even though his cancer is spreading.  I am endlessly grateful for this help.  Good luck to you and your husband!  

DGA

Thank you so much for answering, Diane. I agree that he should not have to tolerate any pain. He is currently taking one Percocet 10-325 (whatever that means) every three hours. That seems to hold him, although he can tell when it is getting close to time for the next dose and is eager for it.

He had Fentanyl patches several years ago - good to know that they can be combined with the Percocet. Our oncologist does not like giving "narcotics" too early because Rich might get "addicted" -- who cares, he only has about a year or less anyway. The doctor tried to keep Rich on ibuprofen for at least a week longer than he should have. I am going to have to keep on the oncologist's case to make sure that he doesn't try cut back the meds more than they should for complete pain relief.

May I stay in touch with other questions about meds? I'd really appreciate it.

Good luck to you and your husband too.
deb

Pain in the bones and joints may come from treatment and medications, non-cancerous sources, or metastases from cancer spread. Sometimes the cause of bone and joint pain may be unknown.

Hi Swamis1,

I have 2nd stage multiple myeloma which is a blood, bone cancer so I am familiar with bone pain. There is no reason for any cancer patient to suffer with pain. Normally pain is handled in 2 stages, background pain and break through pain. A fentanyl patch will take care of the background or constant pain and a shorter acting med such as percocet will take of break through pain, the pain that comes and goes in spite of the patch. There should be no worry of addiction if you suffer from pain, especially if you have terminal cancer. You might see if your doctor can recommend a pain specialist to deal with that part of his illness. I have a good one who monitors with monthly visits and my pain is now in check.

Give my regards to your husband, I am putting him on my church prayer list.

Steve

A true Oncologist would never let a paitent remain in pain. Yet one must speak up about the pain, do not be shy. Its much easy to keep pain at bay then to get back into pain and take more pills then wait for them to work. Tell your husband he may need 2 10/325's at a time. I have been taking them for over 7 months. If at night the pain is greater I had a 3rd pill at bedtime. As to addiction...Quality of life comes at a price, I would prefer a pain free time to life then suffer in pain.

NancyDSB