› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Anybody know what these pain pills are really doing to me?
- This topic has 33 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 4 months ago by
Jubes.
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- December 14, 2014 at 2:37 am
With the pain in my hip, leg and shoulder I finally started taking these pain pills. They are oxycodone HCL 5 mg capsules. I had been fighting taking them but I found that worked out to taking more in a day. For now I can get by on 1 at about 10am and 1 at about 5pm. Dunno if I will need more in the future.
First and foremost I was wondering if they hinder the pd1 from working? Dad thinks they help the healing because I'm more relaxed instead of all tensed up in pain but I dunno.
I know they do something to the central nervous system and spinal cord making me feel like I have less pain. I know the common side affects they can also cause is nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, dizziness, headache, tiredness, dry mouth, sweating, itching. When I was taking 2 at a dose so about 4 a day I noticed I went into withdrawal if I didn't take another within about 20 hours. I would feel achy but about 10 minutes after taking just one all the achy feeling went away so at least I think that was withdrawal. Since I'm taking them regular now I don't have that.
So I guess my main concern is they don't hinder the pd1 from working. I'm trying to get off them. Thanks to the radiation I think I can put up with the pain in the hip and leg but the shoulder even with heating pads and ice packs is just too much for me anymore without these pain pills. Hopefully I can get the shoulder treated sometime in the future too but I think I'm going to be on them long term so I wonder what they are doing to me. A few months ago my doc mentioned I was doing good and one of the things he mentioned why is because I wasn't taking pain pills. So I'm really wondering about these pills.
Thanks.
Artie
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- December 14, 2014 at 7:42 am
Keep taking the pain pills if you need to. They aren't going to interfere with your treatment. Possibly even might help you even more as your body isn't under the stress of pain.
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- December 14, 2014 at 11:28 am
I'm a little bit of an expert on Oxycodone, Artie, since that's what they prescribed my dad for his pain. He started at 5 mg as well, but that did nothing, so we moved up to 10 (nothing), 15 (not much help) and now 20, which finally gives him some relief but also knocks him out. We also tried the 12-hour extended-release form (Oxycontin), but that was a nightmare.
It doesn't interact with the Keytruda, so you shouldn't worry about that. You also shouldn't worry about addiction since you are using it for pain relief, not for pleasure. My father's oncologist did tell us that patients who have their pain under control have generally better outcomes.
So I suggest you listen to your father and keep taking them. There's absolutely no reason for you to try to tough out the pain, especially if you're getting relief at such a low dose.
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- December 14, 2014 at 11:28 am
I'm a little bit of an expert on Oxycodone, Artie, since that's what they prescribed my dad for his pain. He started at 5 mg as well, but that did nothing, so we moved up to 10 (nothing), 15 (not much help) and now 20, which finally gives him some relief but also knocks him out. We also tried the 12-hour extended-release form (Oxycontin), but that was a nightmare.
It doesn't interact with the Keytruda, so you shouldn't worry about that. You also shouldn't worry about addiction since you are using it for pain relief, not for pleasure. My father's oncologist did tell us that patients who have their pain under control have generally better outcomes.
So I suggest you listen to your father and keep taking them. There's absolutely no reason for you to try to tough out the pain, especially if you're getting relief at such a low dose.
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- December 14, 2014 at 4:05 pm
So good to hear it doesn't interact with Keytruda, not to worry about addiction and with pain under control I might turn out better. Thank you.
Artie
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- December 14, 2014 at 4:05 pm
So good to hear it doesn't interact with Keytruda, not to worry about addiction and with pain under control I might turn out better. Thank you.
Artie
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- December 14, 2014 at 4:05 pm
So good to hear it doesn't interact with Keytruda, not to worry about addiction and with pain under control I might turn out better. Thank you.
Artie
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- December 14, 2014 at 11:28 am
I'm a little bit of an expert on Oxycodone, Artie, since that's what they prescribed my dad for his pain. He started at 5 mg as well, but that did nothing, so we moved up to 10 (nothing), 15 (not much help) and now 20, which finally gives him some relief but also knocks him out. We also tried the 12-hour extended-release form (Oxycontin), but that was a nightmare.
It doesn't interact with the Keytruda, so you shouldn't worry about that. You also shouldn't worry about addiction since you are using it for pain relief, not for pleasure. My father's oncologist did tell us that patients who have their pain under control have generally better outcomes.
So I suggest you listen to your father and keep taking them. There's absolutely no reason for you to try to tough out the pain, especially if you're getting relief at such a low dose.
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- December 14, 2014 at 12:10 pm
Hi Artie,
I don't know the pills you're taking but my wife (with strong bone pains due to mets) is taking Voltaren 75mg pills and it's doing wonders. You may consider this…!
Rick
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- December 14, 2014 at 2:33 pm
try looking at this webinar on pain control by a doctor who knows a lot: http://melanomainternational.org/webinar/2012/03/strategies-for-pain-management/#.VI2fbCvF8kA
Also advil, tylenol together work good.
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- December 14, 2014 at 2:33 pm
try looking at this webinar on pain control by a doctor who knows a lot: http://melanomainternational.org/webinar/2012/03/strategies-for-pain-management/#.VI2fbCvF8kA
Also advil, tylenol together work good.
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- December 14, 2014 at 4:09 pm
Wow they sure know alot about pain management. I guess that's what my nurse practioner means when they know how to deal with pain. Thanks.
Artie
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- December 14, 2014 at 4:09 pm
Wow they sure know alot about pain management. I guess that's what my nurse practioner means when they know how to deal with pain. Thanks.
Artie
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- December 14, 2014 at 4:09 pm
Wow they sure know alot about pain management. I guess that's what my nurse practioner means when they know how to deal with pain. Thanks.
Artie
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- December 14, 2014 at 2:33 pm
try looking at this webinar on pain control by a doctor who knows a lot: http://melanomainternational.org/webinar/2012/03/strategies-for-pain-management/#.VI2fbCvF8kA
Also advil, tylenol together work good.
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- December 14, 2014 at 4:07 pm
Thanks Rick. I'll have to keep that in mind. Suprisingly with the gazzilion bone tumors until this walking issue I haven't had a whole lot of pain well except for a couple months of the worse pain ever while I was still being misdiagnosed.
Artie
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- December 14, 2014 at 4:07 pm
Thanks Rick. I'll have to keep that in mind. Suprisingly with the gazzilion bone tumors until this walking issue I haven't had a whole lot of pain well except for a couple months of the worse pain ever while I was still being misdiagnosed.
Artie
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- December 15, 2014 at 3:00 pm
Hi Artie! I think your dad is right! Pain causes stress. Stress is not good for your immune system as well as it's depressing and limits your movement. I've been on hydrocodone as well as the Fentynal patches. They helped me to be much more mobile before and after my spinal surgery… and that really helped my recovery. I eventually was able to get off both of them. Are you seeing a palliative care doctor? They're very helpful. I hope Keytruda continues to work for both of us! My next infusion will be my ninth. It's on December 23rd. I get scans as well that day so the best Christmas gift I could get is good results! You must be on about your 11th or 12th infusion.
Best Wishes to you, Artie!!!!!
Terrie
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- December 15, 2014 at 3:00 pm
Hi Artie! I think your dad is right! Pain causes stress. Stress is not good for your immune system as well as it's depressing and limits your movement. I've been on hydrocodone as well as the Fentynal patches. They helped me to be much more mobile before and after my spinal surgery… and that really helped my recovery. I eventually was able to get off both of them. Are you seeing a palliative care doctor? They're very helpful. I hope Keytruda continues to work for both of us! My next infusion will be my ninth. It's on December 23rd. I get scans as well that day so the best Christmas gift I could get is good results! You must be on about your 11th or 12th infusion.
Best Wishes to you, Artie!!!!!
Terrie
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- December 15, 2014 at 4:18 pm
Thanks Terrie. Yeah I get my 11th tomorrow. Or at least I hope so. I guess I'll find out tomorrow if they scan again on Jan 6th or 27th.
I haven't seen a palliative care doctor. Guess I can ask about that tomorrow. I got lots of stuff to ask them like port and things. I get my head MRI today with results Thursday so that could change all my plans. We shall see. It's the 12 week scan after they radiated that spot pressing on my brain.
Good luck on your scans on the 23rd. That would be a great Christmas gift for you.
Artie
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- December 15, 2014 at 4:18 pm
Thanks Terrie. Yeah I get my 11th tomorrow. Or at least I hope so. I guess I'll find out tomorrow if they scan again on Jan 6th or 27th.
I haven't seen a palliative care doctor. Guess I can ask about that tomorrow. I got lots of stuff to ask them like port and things. I get my head MRI today with results Thursday so that could change all my plans. We shall see. It's the 12 week scan after they radiated that spot pressing on my brain.
Good luck on your scans on the 23rd. That would be a great Christmas gift for you.
Artie
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- December 31, 2014 at 8:21 pm
Hope those scans went well Artie. I was offered to connect with the palliative team when my cough was out of control before I started keytruda. I was a shocked, but when I researched, I found evidence that early palliative care increases life expectancy and quality of life. I didn't get around to going to palliative team as keytruda came along, but I would go earlier rather than later if cough comes back. Now I am on my 7th infusion and the cough has almost gone. Hope it works as well for you.
Jubes
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- December 31, 2014 at 8:21 pm
Hope those scans went well Artie. I was offered to connect with the palliative team when my cough was out of control before I started keytruda. I was a shocked, but when I researched, I found evidence that early palliative care increases life expectancy and quality of life. I didn't get around to going to palliative team as keytruda came along, but I would go earlier rather than later if cough comes back. Now I am on my 7th infusion and the cough has almost gone. Hope it works as well for you.
Jubes
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- December 31, 2014 at 8:21 pm
Hope those scans went well Artie. I was offered to connect with the palliative team when my cough was out of control before I started keytruda. I was a shocked, but when I researched, I found evidence that early palliative care increases life expectancy and quality of life. I didn't get around to going to palliative team as keytruda came along, but I would go earlier rather than later if cough comes back. Now I am on my 7th infusion and the cough has almost gone. Hope it works as well for you.
Jubes
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- December 15, 2014 at 4:18 pm
Thanks Terrie. Yeah I get my 11th tomorrow. Or at least I hope so. I guess I'll find out tomorrow if they scan again on Jan 6th or 27th.
I haven't seen a palliative care doctor. Guess I can ask about that tomorrow. I got lots of stuff to ask them like port and things. I get my head MRI today with results Thursday so that could change all my plans. We shall see. It's the 12 week scan after they radiated that spot pressing on my brain.
Good luck on your scans on the 23rd. That would be a great Christmas gift for you.
Artie
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- December 15, 2014 at 3:00 pm
Hi Artie! I think your dad is right! Pain causes stress. Stress is not good for your immune system as well as it's depressing and limits your movement. I've been on hydrocodone as well as the Fentynal patches. They helped me to be much more mobile before and after my spinal surgery… and that really helped my recovery. I eventually was able to get off both of them. Are you seeing a palliative care doctor? They're very helpful. I hope Keytruda continues to work for both of us! My next infusion will be my ninth. It's on December 23rd. I get scans as well that day so the best Christmas gift I could get is good results! You must be on about your 11th or 12th infusion.
Best Wishes to you, Artie!!!!!
Terrie
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- December 14, 2014 at 4:07 pm
Thanks Rick. I'll have to keep that in mind. Suprisingly with the gazzilion bone tumors until this walking issue I haven't had a whole lot of pain well except for a couple months of the worse pain ever while I was still being misdiagnosed.
Artie
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