Be VERY VERY strong in your attitude about pain relief for him. He doesn't have to use it if he doesn't need it. Amy

Guila, make a scene if you have to. I am SO anti meds that I actually went into shock from the pain of rad burns during the final week. That was stupid. The pain is real and your dad is entitled to relief. Get loud and pushy if that is what it takes, but do not let anyone tell him he does not need it -- the pain just gets worse and having made it this far does not mean a thing. I am angry on his behalf!

The pain was the worst for my husband two to three weeks after. That is unacceptable and I would tell them that you have educated yourself and that you are aware that this is the time he will need it most. Is this his RO or MO that is refusing you? My husbands RO and MO were always so concerned with the pain management and made sure he did not have to suffer anymore than he had to. Even with the proper pain relief it is misery...do not take no for an answer.

When we went to Hopkins we were given a page with "Patient's Rights" and among them was "right to adequate pain management." So I think you need to go to the person at your hospital who deals with patient issues (they all have someone) if your dad's doctors continue to fail him. Because that's what it appears they're doing.

Gail

Pain mamnagement guidelines

http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/treatment/guidelines.htm

Just in case someone missed my other post on Duragesic or Fentanyl:

W A R N I N G:
DO NOT CUT A PATCH IN HALF - A FATAL DOSE OF FENTANYL CAN BE RELEASED.

Do not used damaged packages either. Wash your hands after application. Follow the instructions very carefully.

This is a very safe and effective drug when used properly and one of the strongest pain relievers on the market.

Dammmn,

I should have read this post earlier. My brother suffrered so much because of the radiation and the I am keep on asking the doc about cortico steroids for the pain. I should have asked about this patch.
At lease his mucositis is under control now and he has pain from the last chemo they gave him 10 days ago.

Does it help in chemo as well?

If so, I need to find out out if at all this is available in India.

thanks guys for the great tip,
Praveen

Praveen,
corticosteroids do nothing for pain. If Duragesic AKA Fentanyl is not available then ask for Oxycontin for long term pain relief. Please note that these drugs are only indicated when long term pain relief is required. There are different meds for short term use.

These are both extremely powerful and effective drugs. Fentanyl is 40X more potent than Heroin.
Ir is very safe and effective if used accodring the manufacturers instructions.

While I would never try to argue with Gary, I might strike up a dialogue. And since we have been "intimately" involved with fentanyl patches for the last few weeks, I am going to venture forth here. I do not doubt that they are safe for many people. In our case, my husband started on a 50 mcg dose a week before he had his 1st Erbitox injection. As a prelude to the Erbitux he got a dose of Benedryl and Ativan and within 30 minutes was having a very bad reaction--to what we are not sure.[ The chemo Doc say it was the Ativan] After 5 days of his being on another planet, I jerked the fentanyl patch when he had a 101.5 temp early in the am.[because the dosage can be excelerated by heat]. He got Erbitux #2 that same day, but no Benedryl or Ativan. Within 24 hrs. of the patch being off, he rejoined us on earth and has been lucid and coherent ever since. So how much did the patch contribute to his craziness? Don't know- I just know he is back with me now and the patch is gone. Amy

Post Script: I was the instigator for John using the patches. I had read here about the good pain relief fentanyl provided and I wanted something that would stop the debilitating headaches he was having and help with the mouth pain. Interestingly, the headaches disappeared while he was on the patch,and to date, have not come back. My uneducated guess is that the patch stopped a cycle of pain that was maybe tension and stress related. Am keeping my fingers crossed. amy