Pain and cancer treatment: What helps?

As for me, I was on a regimen of pain management which included a fentanyl patch. I remember being on a liquid medication as well after I could no longer swallow pills. It’s been nearly 9 years so I can’t remember all what I was on. I do remember having to crush medication though.
Talk to the oncologist about everything your mom is experiencing, they can’t help if they don’t know.
I found that keeping things to myself made things worse, be transparent!
Wishing the best,
Jody

My fibromyalgia pain, especially legs and feet, increased exponentially with each radiation treatment (30 total in rectal area and groin lymph nodes). I can only stand for short periods now as pain/burning throughout lower extremities increases when standing. I didn’t consider chemo to be issue, but it probably contributed. I had 2 rounds of 5 fu and could feel toxic impacts in head, hand/fingers, and feet/toes during treatment. I am now 2 months past end of treatments and am trying to figure out how to manage increased pain.

I get temporary relief when I elevate lower legs above my heart with “booster pillows” in bed for short periods throughout the day. Leg, foot and groin massage with thumper mini pro massager also helps a little. I still need opioids some nights when pain and burning in lower extremities prevents sleep. Prior to chemo radiation I found NIH info that small opioid doses can help fibromyalgia/rls (restless leg syndrome) pain. 1/2 pill at night occasionally helps sleep and reduces pain slightly the next day. I also have severe tail bone and hip femur pain from radiation. I will continue to try to seek pain management solutions. Best of luck to us!

My doctor prescribed the fentanyl patch and it was terrific. It stays on for 72 straight hours of pain relief. Recently, I added a palliative care doctor to my specialists and they offered to switch me to Butrans (bruprenorphine) which lasts 7 days. I switched and I'm happy with my choice.

Your mom needs to be able to get good rest to heal. Suggest she has a consultation with a palliative care doctor.

@miak, this must be so hard to see your mom suffer. It sounds like she would benefit from the care of cancer pain specialists. Like @denzie mentioned the palliative care team are often the ones who help with managing pain. Is your mom able to request a consult with a palliative care doctor?

Let me add. My appointments with palliative care have all been virtual. Your mom may be able to do hers virtually as well.

My spouse has fibromyalgia compounded by the pain from the total thyroidectomy and radiation treatment. She has trouble swallowing now. She sees a pain management doctor to keep the pain under control. She is currently on Belbuca (buprenorphine film that melts in her mouth) to reduce overall pain and Pregabalin (Lyrica) to reduce nerve pain. A pain mgnt doctor can help identify suitable treatments for your mom. It has made a world of difference.