What Does Everyone Have For Pain Medication?

I think that’s the lowest dose available; you might have to ask for a higher dose.
Also, fyi, when my wife was in the hospital, she much preferred dilaudid to oxycodone.
In our experience, doctors (and pharmacies) are very hesitant to increase (or even refill) these meds.
My suggestion would be to make sure your husband’s doctors are empathetic and well informed on your husband’s pain.

You might want to consider a palliative care consult. Symptom management is their specialty. They manage my husbands symptoms and tend to have a more extensive arsenal they will work with.

Does he have a pain management specialist.

No, he doesn't. Is that the same as going to a pain management center? We were going to request a referral to one at his next appointment. His oncologist has been weaning him off even those low dose Oxycodones, saying that he's done with chemo and radiation and shouldn't have pain and nausea. But the tumor is still there and causing pain. It's very confusing to me - that the doctor will let someone be in that level of pain when there is a medication that helps. Some days he doesn't take any because he has no pain, but if he gets the really bad pain, he may need 2 or 3 of them at once, which means he doesn't have enough for the mild/moderate pain days.

When he's in the hospital, they give him dilaudid - it works better than anything else for him. I think the 5mg is the lowest oxycodone available, yes. And his oncologist is weaning him off of even that. Meaning he'll have nothing for pain. The worst pain is so bad I have come close to taking him to the ER. But the wait is usually 10-12 hrs, and he has so far saved enough of them, that he could take two or three and control that pain. Good thing it doesn't happen every day.
I don't know if the pain medication situation will change after his next appointment where we discuss treatment options since he can't have surgery. I didn't realize we may need to find a doctor who is more focused on pain management. His doctor is very good, but the pain issue has now become a major concern.

Thank you for that suggestion. I had no idea that existed and am reading up on it.

You don't need to wait for another visit, just ask the doctor's office if there is someone that is recommended for a pain management center. If you are not able to get a recommendation, you can research yourself and call back and ask if the provider you find is OK with them. If your doctor's office makes good use of a patient portal, it may be a good way to reach out.

Sounds like these pain issues need to be addressed very promptly and you will need to push things along just a bit. When you call a pain management center, ask about their experience in dealing with pain in people with cancer, especially with pancreatic cancer. Our oncologists are busy doctors, mine is very good. It is still necessary to be proactive and advocate for yourself. Best of luck in your search for more effective treatment. I read your story knowing that it could be my story too. Thank you for sharing your very difficult story

@nuggetofmine, how is your husband doing? Is his pain better managed? Were you able to inquire about palliative care?

Thank you for asking. We met with the oncologist - first meeting since being turned down for surgery by the surgeon. He will begin immunotherapy next week. I think what happened is we were in the gray area of not "belonging" to either the surgeon or the oncologist. Once we approved the treatment, he was promised whatever he needed for pain. He was asked what the maximum of pain meds he used on a bad day, and was given a prescription for Oxycodone (the only thing that works) to cover all days being bad days. That was an immense relief and has allowed him to get back to his daily life without being terrified of untreatable pain. I am going to keep the palliative care idea in mind in case he needs it later.

I’m not seeing any mention of medical marijuana here. My sister cannot swallow, only thin liquids and is in very bad pain with unrelenting nausea. None of the meds rx’d touch it, plus she can now no longer get a pill down. (No medical treatment plan for her yet, they haven’t even staged it.)Cancer survivor friend(s)— said pot was the only thing that touched nausea and pain. Sister started with sub lingual drops and they have offered relief. She is able to function, balance is good. And the thought of food doesn’t make her ill. Talking with the pot people helped her choose an appropriate mixture. In California, so we do have the pot shops. Talk with your doctors and see if it’s a possibility. They’re doing amazing things combatting this disease, keep up the good fight, thinking of you and your family.