Just started 3rd week IMRT. Boom! sudden onsit of side effects, in 24hrs. I can handle the thick sputum, the tube feedings, loss of voice, difficulty or inability to swallow. But sudden onset of pain is getting to me. Viscous Xylocain doesn't touch it. Feels like hot poker in throat full time and then worse when I attempt to swallow. Any suggestions, please. Edd

Hi Edd,
I didn't have the pain you are having, but my side effects hit me in 24hrs like yours have. Your RO should have someone on call 24/7 to help manage this. Call the hospital now and get some stronger pain meds.

Take care,
Eileen

Hi Edd; All progress stops at the feet of pain. Your nutrition goes down the tubes, your strength and resolve to fight this rotten illness takes a beating as well.
I'm with Eileen, get hold of the oncology folks and holler if necessary...you need better pain control. They might want to take at peek at things as well. You may have a severe mucositis, but I'm not a doc, and that's just what you need.
Keep at it, the onco team is there to help you through this...it's their job, and for some, a vocation.
All the best,
Fran B.

Thanks, people,
My RO said it is mucositis, no suprise. Topical xylocain no help. Awful tough to look at 5-6 more weeks of this. I'm a little cautious of pain pills, but might have to throw caution to the wind. Pain all noc, no sleep. Edd

No pills - get a Duragesic patch- you don't have to swallow and you can't puke it up.

Pain management is a basic patient RIGHT - demand it.

That topical swish & spit is only for eating or swallowing - it's effects only last a very short time. You will also need long term and short term narcotics. The long term stuff, like oxycontin or duragesic keeps a lid on the basic pain threshold and are slower acting. The short term ones, like morphine, etc. are for breakthrough pain that goes over the top of the pain threshold maintained by the long term stuff.

It will only get worse -get the meds as soon as you can.

What is there to be cautious about? People who really need pain meds rarely get addicted. I am a recovering addict/alcoholic and had no problems with the pain meds. Keeping a lid on the pain will greatly improve your healing.

It could be much longer than 4-5 weeks. I was on pain meds almost 6 months.

Constipation will become an issue so talk to your nutritionist about preventive measures.

Get the patch. My mom was very anti pain pills etc and the patch made her feel as normal as she could be with all the side effects but no pain.

Hang in there Edd!

Dani

Edd, Fentynl (sp?) patches, which can be increased in increments of I believe 25 mg, were a lifesaver for me. I experienced no side effects and had abolutely complete pain relief from really, really bad rad burns to my really, really fair skin.

If I ever have ongoing pain in the future, you can bet I am going to ask for those. Give them a try.

I found no addiction problem, and pretty much stopped cold, but the beauty of these is that you can step down the amount gradually if you think there will be a problem, just as you can increase them gradually to deal with pain levels.

I was very stubborn about not using anything and resisted until I could not stop shaking, and looked so wretched that I was told I was going into shock. I gave in and wish I had weeks earlier.

This is one situation where drugs are very, very good!

thanks, all. Edd