#40530 11-28-2006 07:28 AM | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 23 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 23 | Surgery was November 1 & rad/chemo has yet to begin. With the exception of nighttime hours, he's still using same amount/dosages of hydrocodone & morphine prescribed the day he went home.
There's a spotty history of past substance abuse but, w/it being such a major surgery, I hadn't thought about it until recently . . . and almost feel bad asking but, is this normal?
If so. . . let me apologize in advance to all of you who've gone through it. I just have no way of knowing.
CG 2 fianc
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#40531 11-28-2006 08:02 AM | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | I'm not sure it's easy to know what "normal" is in terms of pain management I've seen such differences in what people need since I've been reading in this forum. My glossectomy and probably my neck dissection was less severe than your fiance's, but I know I was only taking prescription pain medication for a couple of weeks at most after the surgery. That doesn't mean him taking the meds for 4 weeks is out of normal range though.
Sorry I can't be of more help!
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
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#40532 11-28-2006 11:53 AM | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | This needs to be discussed with the prescribing Doc and don't forget to mention the abuse part. Morphine is nothing to play around with.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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#40533 11-28-2006 03:31 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 | I'm a total puss, I was taking breakthrough pain level drugs for months.
People vary greatly in their tolerance for pain. As long as he is seeing and communicating with his docs on a regular basis, they should ensure that he gets the amount and level of different types of pain meds necessary. Drugs for moderate pain, drugs for breakthrough pain. If you do a search on the boards for breakthough pain, you will find some realy good postings from Gary and others that are good guidelines for what is normal and the variety of drugs available for different levels of discomfort.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
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#40534 11-29-2006 07:02 AM | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 23 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 23 |
CG 2 fianc
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