 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Forget the ENT or RO for pain meds - go to the MO instead. They seem to have a much better understanding of these issues. If your dad is getting 25mcg of Fentanyl, that is the starter dose. I only had radiation and was up to 75mcg of Fentanyl (a few here have been up to 150 mcg) and morphine for breakthrough pain. Tylenol w/codiene is pretty weak.
Bed sure to describe his pain using the number system, 10 being the worst. He pain shouldn't exceed a 3 or so.
Never alter the dose without specific orders from the doctor.
Fatigue is also a well known side effect of radiation.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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