Pain Medication Suggestions

Hi Rocky, I am like you when it comes to pain meds…I would rather do other things instead of morphine etc etc…I switch from Tylenol to Aleve to Motrin…if my blood isn't thin- even aspirin. A doc told me that aspirin is really the best of the OTC  pain meds at relieving pain and Americans have forgotten it…

Hi Rocky, I am like you when it comes to pain meds…I would rather do other things instead of morphine etc etc…I switch from Tylenol to Aleve to Motrin…if my blood isn't thin- even aspirin. A doc told me that aspirin is really the best of the OTC  pain meds at relieving pain and Americans have forgotten it…

One pain pill you might try is Tramadol (Ultram).  It is a synthetic narcotic.  It isn't nearly as strong as anything in the standard narcotic family.  In fact, it's considered mild enough that docs can call it into a pharmacy unlike the other narcotics.  I get sick taking any of the standard narcotics, but Tramadol works well for me when I need a little extra boost.  It is certainly a pill I would not have any trouble driving under or working under – I've done both.  I used to take it when I played tennis (terrible knee pain).  For me, it bridges the gap between prescription doses of ibuprofin and standard narcotics (which I won't take).

As far as pills being easier on the organs, I'm not sure you will get there with any NSAIDS.  My father also has some kidney issues and has needed consistent pain help for joint issues.  He has turned to Aleve because he doesn't have to take as much to control his pain, but I'm not sure it is any easier on kidneys/liver than any other NSAID. 

Best wishes,

Janner

One pain pill you might try is Tramadol (Ultram).  It is a synthetic narcotic.  It isn't nearly as strong as anything in the standard narcotic family.  In fact, it's considered mild enough that docs can call it into a pharmacy unlike the other narcotics.  I get sick taking any of the standard narcotics, but Tramadol works well for me when I need a little extra boost.  It is certainly a pill I would not have any trouble driving under or working under – I've done both.  I used to take it when I played tennis (terrible knee pain).  For me, it bridges the gap between prescription doses of ibuprofin and standard narcotics (which I won't take).

As far as pills being easier on the organs, I'm not sure you will get there with any NSAIDS.  My father also has some kidney issues and has needed consistent pain help for joint issues.  He has turned to Aleve because he doesn't have to take as much to control his pain, but I'm not sure it is any easier on kidneys/liver than any other NSAID. 

Best wishes,

Janner

Hi Rocky,

My husband was the same way.  He refused to take any pain medication.  Dr. Kirkwood prescribed him the Fentanyl Patch and it was a huge blessing!  It worked great and didn't make him drowsy or feel out of it.  It just basically blocked the pain.  They started him on 12.5 mcg every 3 days and now he's on 150 mcg every 3 days.  It worked miracles for him so I highly recommend it.  Good luck and I hope you are feeling better soon.

EricNJill In OH

Hi Rocky,

My husband was the same way.  He refused to take any pain medication.  Dr. Kirkwood prescribed him the Fentanyl Patch and it was a huge blessing!  It worked great and didn't make him drowsy or feel out of it.  It just basically blocked the pain.  They started him on 12.5 mcg every 3 days and now he's on 150 mcg every 3 days.  It worked miracles for him so I highly recommend it.  Good luck and I hope you are feeling better soon.

EricNJill In OH

Hi Rocky,

   I DO take narcotics……just started on oxcycontin yesterday…..20mg, a dose every 12 hours, and my doctor wants me to take the oxcycodone (5mg with 325 mg of tylenol each pill) for "breakthrough" pain. I had been managed on vicadins for months, then the effectiveness of that wore off, then I went to methadone (5mg three times a day) and oxcycodone, and that helped for two months, but again, the effectiveness dimmed, so rather than up the methadone and use straight oxcycodone, no tylenol, we are trying the oxcycontin, etc as stated above. I have NEVER felt stoned or high….NEVER….I am able to drive, was able to work, never did the meds compromise my mental sharpness at all ( a higher dose of methadone did last winter tho). I have been told by a pain specialist that I am a rapid metabolizer of narcotics…..just the way my body and receptors work, still the pain control has been adequate (but not 100%). I just wanted to say narcotics are not across the board BAD. They can be addicting, but more for people who use them recreationally, not for people with REAL pain, like us. I have used the fentanyl patch also, which worked well. That was last year. My pain stems from two unhealed leg wounds, for 7 months, and the healing process is extremely slow, if practically non -existent.  You might want to seek out a "PAIN SPECIALIST" at your major medical center (Moffit right?) They can consult with your prescribing doctor, and help target the source of your pain and then what meds would work best.   Best of luck Rocky!

Vermont_Donna

stage 3a

Hi Rocky,

   I DO take narcotics……just started on oxcycontin yesterday…..20mg, a dose every 12 hours, and my doctor wants me to take the oxcycodone (5mg with 325 mg of tylenol each pill) for "breakthrough" pain. I had been managed on vicadins for months, then the effectiveness of that wore off, then I went to methadone (5mg three times a day) and oxcycodone, and that helped for two months, but again, the effectiveness dimmed, so rather than up the methadone and use straight oxcycodone, no tylenol, we are trying the oxcycontin, etc as stated above. I have NEVER felt stoned or high….NEVER….I am able to drive, was able to work, never did the meds compromise my mental sharpness at all ( a higher dose of methadone did last winter tho). I have been told by a pain specialist that I am a rapid metabolizer of narcotics…..just the way my body and receptors work, still the pain control has been adequate (but not 100%). I just wanted to say narcotics are not across the board BAD. They can be addicting, but more for people who use them recreationally, not for people with REAL pain, like us. I have used the fentanyl patch also, which worked well. That was last year. My pain stems from two unhealed leg wounds, for 7 months, and the healing process is extremely slow, if practically non -existent.  You might want to seek out a "PAIN SPECIALIST" at your major medical center (Moffit right?) They can consult with your prescribing doctor, and help target the source of your pain and then what meds would work best.   Best of luck Rocky!

Vermont_Donna

stage 3a

Hi Rocky – I'm sorry you are in pain and it really is important to keep it under control.   I actually take Tramadol regularly for fibromyalgia (though I have to say I tolerate pain meds quite well) and it does have fewer side effects, etc.

Have you talked to Dr. Weber about this?  Maybe he has some suggestions or can refer you to a pain specialist at Moffitt who may be able to help you come up with a solution that won't impede your ability to drive and work.  Managing pain is important because it can really wear you down.

My fibromyalgia got way worse after the pulsed IL-2 treatments in 2009 and I have had to really work on managing it – so I totally understand the challenge.

Hoping that you can get this under control soon …

Best regards,

Mary

Hi Rocky – I'm sorry you are in pain and it really is important to keep it under control.   I actually take Tramadol regularly for fibromyalgia (though I have to say I tolerate pain meds quite well) and it does have fewer side effects, etc.

Have you talked to Dr. Weber about this?  Maybe he has some suggestions or can refer you to a pain specialist at Moffitt who may be able to help you come up with a solution that won't impede your ability to drive and work.  Managing pain is important because it can really wear you down.

My fibromyalgia got way worse after the pulsed IL-2 treatments in 2009 and I have had to really work on managing it – so I totally understand the challenge.

Hoping that you can get this under control soon …

Best regards,

Mary

I am doing much better with my new pain doc – he's got me at 75 mcg on the fentenyl patch but I think I will ask to go up.  I am take a rotating schedule of Norco and Dilaudid.  The Norco is like Vicodin but with less acetamenaphen.

I have to take anti-nausea meds to take the narcotics but I have to do that with any pain pill – I'm an easy to throw up kinda patient.

I like the patch.  It hasn't been knocking me out too much.  I am very against spending too much of my time zonked out, even if it means tolerating a slightly higher pain level.

Amy

I am doing much better with my new pain doc – he's got me at 75 mcg on the fentenyl patch but I think I will ask to go up.  I am take a rotating schedule of Norco and Dilaudid.  The Norco is like Vicodin but with less acetamenaphen.

I have to take anti-nausea meds to take the narcotics but I have to do that with any pain pill – I'm an easy to throw up kinda patient.

I like the patch.  It hasn't been knocking me out too much.  I am very against spending too much of my time zonked out, even if it means tolerating a slightly higher pain level.

Amy

How you doing Rocky? Just was thinking about you! I was wondering if they ever told you why they said you had the HLA and then said you didn't? How did they make such an error.

I had mine tested when I first was diagnosed and then had my tumor tested soon after. It made things go a bit faster when it came to getting into trials although everyone thinks they need to redo their own tests..I can't help but wonder if they make money off of all the tests lol.

I am still in the anti-pd-1 trial and finshed the 2 round in the second 12 week run. I believe the HLA type has nothing to do with the anti-pd-1 ( MDX 1106) and everything to do with the 6 injections of peptides I get each time.

I would like to see the anti-pd-1 used in combination with other immunotherapy drugs.-Lynn

How you doing Rocky? Just was thinking about you! I was wondering if they ever told you why they said you had the HLA and then said you didn't? How did they make such an error.

I had mine tested when I first was diagnosed and then had my tumor tested soon after. It made things go a bit faster when it came to getting into trials although everyone thinks they need to redo their own tests..I can't help but wonder if they make money off of all the tests lol.

I am still in the anti-pd-1 trial and finshed the 2 round in the second 12 week run. I believe the HLA type has nothing to do with the anti-pd-1 ( MDX 1106) and everything to do with the 6 injections of peptides I get each time.

I would like to see the anti-pd-1 used in combination with other immunotherapy drugs.-Lynn