This site helped me avoid morphine after my mandibulectomy 6 weeks ago. I made a big fuss, asked for Fentanyl and was pleased at the result. Now they've got my bad reaction to morphine all over my notes.

Yes, that was a good result but funnily enough I feel that my adverse reaction to morphine is only to the IV delivery. I'm pretty sure I'd be okay on oral morphine when I have mouth sores during the radiation I'm starting tomorrow. I ran this past my Cancer Society nurse who didn't think was a silly idea and that I should discuss it with the doctors.

The other painkiller mentioned in my RT booklet, Tramadol (Ultram in the US?) does not seem to work for me: I've had it twice, no effect. The Oxycodone I was given after surgery, and still take sparingly, makes me feel good, dispels nagging discomfort but not sharp pain, not at 10 mg anyway.

I'd be grateful for any advice from people who have been through radiation and used pain relief. What is best?

Cheers
Maureen

Tramadol does very little for me as well. As far as oxycodone, there are other versions without acetaminophen here like OxyContin but all opioids are once again under intense scrutiny in this country although a new time release Zohydro that is very strong. Did you have Dexamethasone with the IV morphine? The combination can sometimes have odd results while pill forms don't. I have morphine cautions all over my records but still was prescribed morphing in pill form and had no adverse affects.

The reason they gave you tramadol is because it is not an opioid but a synthetic analgesic.

I used the fentanyl patch and liquid lortab for breakthru pain. Being a long time member, I think you probably know all the ins and outs of using the patch. You can start out at like 25 or 50 and gradually work your way to stronger doses, same goes when going off it.... gradual is the way to go! I found the fentanyl patch easy to use as it gets changed every 3 days. Helps to make it one less thing to take care of, alot easier than taking meds every few hours. Plus it provides a steady stream of meds which helps to keep you feeling comfortable.

Best wishes!!!

I would agree if the fentanyl is working for you I would stick with it, tramadol (funny enough - my dog is on it right now) is not a drug I've taken, morphine only gives me weird dreams and doesn't do anything for me for pain. The same with oxy - though I only had 5 mg... It didn't do anything for the pain but was damn good at putting me to sleep.

It's very possible the IV effected you more (in terms of a reaction), as it's running directly into the blood stream and as uptown stated there could be other drugs they are giving you - or were - that could also cause an interaction. Hugs my dear. Stick with what works.

The Fentanyl is indicated for long term pain relief and takes an initial 3 days to reach therapeutic levels in the blood. Morphine is a fast acting opiate for breakthrough pain. Those were what worked for me at that phase in treatment. Based on how much morphine I was adding, they would titrate the amount and add to my Fentanyl dose. I was taking Dilaudid, when I was in the hospital, and it was very effective and fast acting (although it was IV and not oral. Speak with your pain management team.