I have had the Neurotin, Trental and the works, none of it seemed to help, I am on the Pentoxifylline 400 mg tabs at the present. I have had 3 refills gone and 3 more to go. I also have amitriotyline HCL 25 mg which I have yet to try. Too many pills I think . I still use the magic mouthwash tho as it does help in aiding with the pain before meals. The pentoxifylline I take 3 times a day. I think a lot of the pain is from the implants. Good luck.

Pentoxifylline is the generic name for Trental (or visa versa).

My brother's doctor gave me PET scan results today for Mikey and told me his jaw has dead bone too and that all of his teeth have to come out and that unless he stops smoking he will not be eligible for bone replacement surgery (even though his PET showed him to be cancer feee). I know he is in a great deal of pain too from his jaw. He also can't get any doctor's to prescribe pain meds. All the addicts have easy access to prescription meds (or so it would seem from the news) but cancer survivors can't get pain relief. It is a terrible thing that cancer patients suffer because of drug abuse by the general public. Mikey is bascially on mostly liquid diet as he can hardly chew. His weight is way down but he hardly ever misses a days work. I don't know how he does it. I am trying to support him and hoping he can get the needed surgery.

Patty, Most Drs in this area take care of the pain 1st with meds. I hope your brother quits smoking as I did. I had 50 yrs of it and quit cold turkey. I will say it has made a big differenc in my lungs and the way I feel after exercising. I still hurt and more lately, but I want nothing stronger than percs and MMW with narcotics in it. I am getting HBO or hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments daily for the exposed bone in my lower right jaw. Supposedly this will aid in new blood vessels growing and encourage the flesh to grow back over the bone. Yes Susan, you are right and I made a mistake, they are the same only one generic.

Thank you, Patty. I was wondering if there was a test to show how much of the bone is dead, so thank you for answering that question for me. I think it stinks that addicts can get the pain meds but cancer survivors are treatedlike addicts because we should be fine. Ironic. Please keep me updated on your brother and I hope he gets the surgery.

Have you tried a Pain Management Specialist? Dana's ENT said at one point "You shouldn't have any more pain, and I will not prescribe any more pain meds." He referred Dana to a pain management guy and he sees Dana once a month. He reviews the pain level and prescribes once a month with the understanding that Dana can call if there are major changes in pain level. Meds have been fine-tuned each time. He now takes Opana (long lasting) and Lyrica (for nerve pain) and Lortab only for breakthrough pain. Their goal is to provide a constant pain relief instead of the kind of pain relief that eliminates the need for a watch (you know...every 3 1/2 -4 hours). He is finally able to sleep through the night and is able to get more enjoyment out of his waking hours. The pain guy urine tests on a random basis, so it keeps the addicts out of his office. Hope this helps and good luck to you!

I had to drive 2 hours to UVA to get morphine today. No appointment but because I asked for the refill I had to be evaluated again. Even though I take these only as needed and this only the start of my third scrip since june 23rd. You can buy it on the streets with less hassle.

Hello,

I see you live in IN. My husband went to IU cancer center in Indy for his treatments. They were great to work with. We still go back every 6 months now. You might give them a call.

I was in the Hospital for four days the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th for pain management. I had 4 Drs and now one will be the main guy to get me straight and under control for pain. They sent me home with methadone , which helps a lot with the pain and I take it every 6 hrs. Plus there is Indocin that I will be taking in liquid form when the drug store gets it in. This plus most of my other meds. The methodone I can take every 3 hours for breakthru.

I live closer to Cincinnati than to Indy, I have an appointment with Christ Hospital cancer center tomorrow morning, so hopefully they will be able to help me. Thanks for the suggestion.