Do I have to go to Hospice to get help with cancer pain?

@gloria52, I understand from reading your profile bio that you have ovarian and uterine cancer. I'm so sorry that you are living with pain that has not been managed. I can see that you are desperate for a solution, but afraid of hospice.

First I want to start with telling you about palliative care. Palliative care is treatment that is specifically to help manage symptoms of cancer and its treatment. Palliative care specialists help manage pain and other side effects of serious illness. They also can help you cope with side effects from medical treatments.

Learn more about palliative care from Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/palliative-care/about/pac-20384637

Sometimes people confuse palliative care with hospice or end of life.

Not all doctors are pain specialists. Are your doctors suggesting that you see a palliative pain specialist?

Hiya Gloria. I’m feeling so sorry that you are dealing with this when there is help available to you. This past July my lung cancer returned and had metastasized to my liver and bones ( hips, pelvis, entire spine and clavicles) “ stage 4 no cure “
In addition to treating the cancer I met with the Palliative Care drs. who specialize in treating the pain. They have been a god-send in my care and treatment. I’m not pain free but they continue to provide me with tremendous level of relief. By all means I would recommend you seek their help and continue to fight the fight

@colleenyoung I'm with Palliative care but they're telling me that they have reached their limitation with the amount of medication I'm needing to manage my pain so they're wanting me to go to Hospice care.I have a 4yr old who needs me I'm not ready to end my life because of my pain I was hoping to find a doctor who can help me besides pain pills for the pain maybe they could help me with nerve block for the pain.I have been to ashamed to ask for help it's almost 2yrs now I'm barely getting out of bed my daughter needs me the pain is keeping me from living life. Do you know if there's any doctors who can help me please.

gloria, your physicians may be uncomfortable ordering intense pain medications for you. Or they may realize that on hospice you would have access to IV meds. Ask your physicians about home hospice. I hope you get the necessary relief. Bless your struggle.

@dave56pa Sage 4 as well no cure thanks for your response I'm with Palliative care they're who telling me with needing such high doses of medication is the reason they can no longer help me They're asking me to switch to Hospice I have so much fight left.I just need someone to me please

My heart truly aches reading this. You should never be forced to choose death because of pain. Your life has immense value and your child needs you, not just as a mother but as the strong, loving person you are to your child. Please know that there are doctors and specialists who focus on complex cancer pain, including palliative care and pain management teams who look beyond standard medications. What you’re experiencing is real and it matters. You deserve relief, dignity and to be heard. I’m holding you in my thoughts and praying that the right medical help finds you quickly. Please don’t give up, you are not alone.

I really needed to hear this I was almost wanting to take my own life because of the pain but it's God my daughter and my husband who's keeping me fighting at one point I didn't think that was enough PTSD DEPRESSION ANXIETY MY MENTAL IS SO MESSED UP.She's just 4yr old with behavior issues so I also know it's hard on her mental. Then both of her Parents fighting Cancer at the same time she doesn't deserve this nor does she understand why is happening all at the same I try and keep much as possible from her so she can have some kind of normalizes in her life. Help me or someone point me in the right direction please I'm begging for the right help other than being forced to take my own life because of pain.

@gently Maybe so I can definitely use the help

@gloria52

Are you currently on a chemo regimen that is controlling your cancer, but that you would have to stop if you went on hospice?

It sounds like the only way to get different treatment would be to go to a different doctor at a different hospital system. Do you have access to a different hospital?

Thank you for your support I really didn't know that there was this much
support out here.I was raised to never ask for help just figured things out
for yourself my husband and I both fighting Cancer so it takes a toll on
you emotionally physically and mentally