I am the primary caregiver to a cancer patient in my household. He completed 6 weeks of chemo, followed by 32 radiation treatments combined with 2 doses of cisplatin. After the last radiation treatment his throat was excruciatingly sore and a culture revealed strep throat. So, we had a course of penicillin and he developed oral thrush and then we had a round of diflucan to get rid of it. He took so much pain medication, including liquid morphine, that he just had to be admitted to the emergency room for withdrawl. When do some of these issues go away? He has been through so much, and I am exhausted. We don't have any family here to help with his care and I have to work every day. Please tell me it gets better before too long. Is there anything else I should be preparing for?

Sounds pretty typical. I didn't have strep throat but with a compromised immune system anything is possible. You didn't give a timeline so I am going to assume that he completed Tx recently. The effects of the radiation keep on working for as much as three weeks or a little longer after the end of treatment. His progress will then be measured in three week increments, in other words, very slow.

Would that be withdrawal or overdose? I took pain meds for several months post Tx. Morphine is a short term, fast acting opioid, typically prescribed for breakthrough pain. What long term narcotic is he taking - i.e. Duragesic patches or oxycontin? If he is taking too much short term narcotics then the long term ones need to be adjusted.

I took diflucan for months for thrush. It can be difficult to control at times. As you found out, antibiotics can cause a thrush bloom.

You need to get some respite care to help you out. Do you belong to a church that can help or try calling the hospital social worker or local American Cancer Society. They may have a lead on additional resources. A caregivers group would be very useful for you as well.

As I remember my wife wasn't there all the time. She did help micromanage the meds and set me up with food and water before she would leave to go to school. I was able to take care of myself pretty well about a month or so post Tx.

I agreee with Gary (as usual). I took Diflucan for 8 months after my treatment.

I took Oxycontin as well. Did have some withdrawl symptoms, but not too bad so cant help ya there.

You need to get some help. Any family in the area that can take a little of the load?

Might want to talk to your church.

Wish I could do more.
Robert