1. < Pancreatic Cancer

Anyone had plexus nerve block for cancer pain?

Posted by joylynnlove @joylynnlove, Mar 9, 2023

My mom is 81 and she was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer stage IV that has metastasized to her liver. Her oncologist has suggested that her treatment be Octreotide injections monthly, which is supposed to stop the growth of the cancer. She is having severe back pain from the cancer and is currently on fentanyl patches and oxycontin. He suggested she get a Celiac Block (ablation) for the pain.

Has anyone had either of these and have any feedback for me?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

crickard70 | @crickard70 | Oct 10, 2023
In reply to @barb2252 "Thanks for your reply. I am on hydocodone-acetamin 5-325 mg. I have no idea if this..." + (show)
@barb2252

Thanks for your reply. I am on hydocodone-acetamin 5-325 mg. I have no idea if this is a "strong" pain medication or not. But I am never without some pain even with the medication. It's good to know it is not an immediate "cure"
but will work in a day or so. I have been considering marijuana, as it has been suggested it might help. But it is great to heard from someone who has actually tried it.

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I would consider marijuana I have a medical card and does help. My bloodwork came back elevated so all weekend I was wheezy expecting the worse, but my gummies helped immensely and also with pain.

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crickard70 | @crickard70 | Oct 10, 2023
In reply to @lulusmom "I have had the block done and highly recommend it. It only took 10-15 minutes to..." + (show)
@lulusmom

I have had the block done and highly recommend it. It only took 10-15 minutes to perform/complete it. I had constant abdominal pain that was a 10 out of 10 and wasn't responding to 2 high level pain killers. I was put under conscious sedation for the procedure and didn't feel anything other than some pressure. I was still in some pain for about 24 hours after, but then it finally subsided and I felt so much better. I did not experience any side effects from the procedure other than a little tenderness in that area for 2-3 days. I cannot speak to how well it relieves back pain, however I did have on and off back pains beforehand, and I don't think I have had any since the procedure, now that you mention it as being a treatment option. I have also found medical marijuana to be amazing at relieving a variety of cancer symptoms, including pain.

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Do you have to have the injection/block again or is it a onc time shot?

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granite | @granite | Oct 10, 2023
In reply to @barb2252 "I am a 71 year old female with a new diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Don’t know..." + (show)
@barb2252

I am a 71 year old female with a new diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Don’t know what stage yet. I can’t endure the chemo I was offered and will accept any and all palliative care. My doctor has scheduled a celiac plexus block to ease my constant back pain.

Has this worked and provided relief for anyone? What if any side effects from it? Thanks!

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Has anyone had experience with a plexus nerve block for pain with tumor in pancreatic region?

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5 replies
marge123 | @marge123 | Oct 10, 2023
In reply to @granite "Has anyone had experience with a plexus nerve block for pain with tumor in pancreatic region?" + (show)
@granite

Has anyone had experience with a plexus nerve block for pain with tumor in pancreatic region?

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Diarrhea caused from pancreatic problems

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2 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 10, 2023
In reply to @granite "Has anyone had experience with a plexus nerve block for pain with tumor in pancreatic region?" + (show)
@granite

Has anyone had experience with a plexus nerve block for pain with tumor in pancreatic region?

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@granite, I also added your question to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms support group. I believe that @greglynch7 may have had a plexus nerve block for pain in the pelvic region related to prostate cancer.

In the meantime, you can learn more in this helpful article
– Celiac Plexus Block: What It Is, Risks & Benefits: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16853-celiac-plexus-block

Have you had the nerve block or will this be happening soon?

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 10, 2023
In reply to @marge123 "Diarrhea caused from pancreatic problems" + (show)
@marge123

Diarrhea caused from pancreatic problems

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Welcome @marge123, there are several discussions about managing diarrhea with pancreatic cancer. You may wish to join one of these discussions:
- How are others with pancreatic cancers managing diarrhea?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/managing-diarrhea/
- How do you deal with Chronic Diarrhea and Pancreatic Cancer treatment?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cronic-diarrhea/

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granite | @granite | Oct 10, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "@granite, I also added your question to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms support group. I believe that..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@granite, I also added your question to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms support group. I believe that @greglynch7 may have had a plexus nerve block for pain in the pelvic region related to prostate cancer.

In the meantime, you can learn more in this helpful article
– Celiac Plexus Block: What It Is, Risks & Benefits: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16853-celiac-plexus-block

Have you had the nerve block or will this be happening soon?

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We have set up a consult for this procedure. Spouse is experiencing more pain with pancreatic tumor reoccurrence.

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debrajean674 | @debrajean674 | Oct 14, 2023
In reply to @marge123 "Diarrhea caused from pancreatic problems" + (show)
@marge123

Diarrhea caused from pancreatic problems

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yes

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beatrixlee | @beatrixlee | Oct 15, 2023
In reply to @granite "Has anyone had experience with a plexus nerve block for pain with tumor in pancreatic region?" + (show)
@granite

Has anyone had experience with a plexus nerve block for pain with tumor in pancreatic region?

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Yes! It seemed to take about a week for the before and after became noticeable, but my husband, stage 4 inoperable pancreatic cancer, no longer takes any pain medication. I must Tell you, however, that all through Folfirinox and radiation treatments, he never had pain. Pain only started about 2 1/2 months after stopping all treatment because he didn’t want any more chemo. Then he took 2 Hydrocodones every 6 hours with Ibuprofen for breakthrough pain. After the plexus block, he has no pain. He is, however, now in home hospice for about two weeks , for a week now everything has gone downhill, he can no longer leave his bed and no longer eats. He will probably leave us in the next few days, but he has no pain.

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1 reply
granite | @granite | Oct 15, 2023
In reply to @beatrixlee "Yes! It seemed to take about a week for the before and after became noticeable, but..." + (show)
@beatrixlee

Yes! It seemed to take about a week for the before and after became noticeable, but my husband, stage 4 inoperable pancreatic cancer, no longer takes any pain medication. I must Tell you, however, that all through Folfirinox and radiation treatments, he never had pain. Pain only started about 2 1/2 months after stopping all treatment because he didn’t want any more chemo. Then he took 2 Hydrocodones every 6 hours with Ibuprofen for breakthrough pain. After the plexus block, he has no pain. He is, however, now in home hospice for about two weeks , for a week now everything has gone downhill, he can no longer leave his bed and no longer eats. He will probably leave us in the next few days, but he has no pain.

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Dear BeatrixLee, I am so sorry. Thank you for taking the time to write. I am glad he was almost pain free throughout.

You brought up another point. Do you have any concerns regarding home hospice?

My husband has to disentangle the pancreatic re-emergent tumor causing nerve pain on shoulders and back—best managed with low doses of opioid causing pain from constipation in the gut with peritoneal metastasis contributing.

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