| | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 24 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 24 | My sister was awake all night taking Lortab 10 every 4 hours and in tears because there was no relief. The tumor on her tongue hurts, but her biggest complaint is pain in her ear that radiates down her neck. Looking for suggestions for a different medicine to ask for and any advice that might help her. Also, is it ok to apply heat to the area? Thanks
Sister, 18yr old, diagnosed with oral tongue cancer 10/08/13
Total Glossectomy and neck dissection 11/18/13 (saved the back left portion of her tongue base only)
Forearm flap reconstruction
Trache and NG feeding tube after surgery (both removed now)
Tumor 6.7 cm
All lymph nodes tested came back negative for cancer
Radiation- 30 treatments (ending 2/18/14)
3/20/14 Recurrence- tumors in both lungs; likely metastasis
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Ask for a prescription for fentanyl patch. I would guess at starting out at 50mg, its one of those medicines that you would have to be stepped up or down when taking. Follow directions EXACTLY! No long hot baths or showers, never cut, fold, tear, bend or rip the patch and change to a new spot every 72 hours. It takes about 24 hours to kick in but this will work for most patients to provide a even dose of medication where she would only need the lortab (or something stronger) when the pain became really bad once in a while.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Likes: 1 | Fentanyl is a good call. Have you also asked about Oxycodone? I found that was the only thing that would kill the pain for me until the very end of rads when I needed a Fentanyl patch on top of it.
David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 15 years all clear in 6/24 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 24 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 24 | We called the doctor's office and they are mailing her a bottle of Percocet. It makes no sense to me that a prescription couldn't be called in to our local pharmacy. I don't know if it's because they are located in Tennessee and we're in Kentucky? Anyway, hopefully when that arrives it will ease her pain. If not, now I know what to ask for. Thanks so much.
Sister, 18yr old, diagnosed with oral tongue cancer 10/08/13
Total Glossectomy and neck dissection 11/18/13 (saved the back left portion of her tongue base only)
Forearm flap reconstruction
Trache and NG feeding tube after surgery (both removed now)
Tumor 6.7 cm
All lymph nodes tested came back negative for cancer
Radiation- 30 treatments (ending 2/18/14)
3/20/14 Recurrence- tumors in both lungs; likely metastasis
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Likes: 1 | Percocet aka Oxycodone is quite a bit stronger than the Hydrocodone-based pills (Vicodin) she's been taking. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed that it helps her. Do look into the Fentanyl as Christine suggests as well though if you can.
And keep us posted.
David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 15 years all clear in 6/24 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Oxycodone cannot be called in like Hydrocodone.
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | I recently read something about big changes happening with certain opiates. I think hydrocodone was one of the meds that refills arent allowed on and the patient needs a prescription every time to fill it.
Im very surprised the doctors office is mailing percocet and not just mailing a prescription for it.
Hope it helps.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 | In NYS there are no automatic refills for controlled substances. You have to show photo ID to pick up a controlled substance, and my drivers license expired, and couldn't even pick up my own lol. There is also a new program in NYS where doctors can see where you had other controlled substance prescriptions filled, and will not be able to issue another to help prevent abuse. I see these addicts going from doctor to doctor, pharmacy to pharmacy getting prescriptions, handing them off after filling.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Plus pharmacies have to turn you in for multiple doctors prescribing opiates especially but now lots of drugs. The new laws are trying to limit refills for all controlled substances but may settle with only opiates.
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,294 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,294 Likes: 1 | I'm in Calif. and my experience with narcos is all the doctors are required to write physical scripts on controlled numbered paper with anti-fraud technology which must be delivered by hand and with proper id to be filled. I have never received one that had refills, single fills only.
I would not be surprised if this is entered into some state database to track your prescription fills for schedule II substances to avoid doctor hopping or whatever it is called.
Don
Male, 1955
Great health except C
Dec '12
DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes
1 tooth out
Jan '13
2nd tooth out
Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT
4-6/2013
CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150
ended 5/29,6/4
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