So I'm just trying to figure out the ... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

20,785 members25,891 posts

So I'm just trying to figure out the pain meds I need before I start Chemo

FinalBossMatt profile image
14 Replies

I got some newly upgraded meds It's Oxycodone-Acetaminophen 10-325. I originally had 5-325.

Also Morphine Sulfer 15 MG.

I was going with one 10-325 at three times a day. and Morphine Sulfer twice a day. Well, the Morphine is absolutely useless but I'm probably going to take them anyway.

The way the 10-325 or Oxy seems to be acting for me is like this. Out of the regular 8 hours, they supposed to last.

3 hours - I'm doing fine

3 hours - the hurt starts coming on

2 hours - I'll need to take the meds soon and I'm just laying down for now to relax.

Last night I wasn't feeling too good at the end of the night so I took an extra 5-325 of Oxy. That was actually the best I ever felt since the METS pain kicked in. It was a major relief, even though I felt no party time buzz I am sad to say. haha

Honestly though, even though I never felt a "WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE THIS IS FUN!" buzz, I can see the writing on the wall on how you would need more and more it works less and less.

Since I didn't like the idea of upping my Oxy intake so I took Alleve instead, so so far I don't need another 10-325 of Oxy yet.

I figure combine over-the-counter (Alleve and may rotate some other things) and Oxy, and I should be good to go by the time I start AND finish Chemo.

What is the general time frame for a Chemo session anyway? Three weeks? Five weeks? Or am I asking, "How much does a bag of groceries weigh?"

I saw some information that the chemo sessions are 3-4 hours but that's the last of my worries right now haha.

Written by
FinalBossMatt profile image
FinalBossMatt
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
14 Replies
Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen

They typically do 6 infusions, 3 weeks apart. If you have a good response, they sometimes do as many as 10 infusions. You may find you need less pain meds after a few infusions.

The nice thing about morphine is that it's infinitely titratable. That means that if you very slowly increase the dose, there is no limit as to how much you can take. So if the morphine is doing nothing for you now, talk to your oncologist about very slowly increasing it. You may find that meloxicam or tramadol work better than over-the-counter NSAIDs.

FinalBossMatt profile image
FinalBossMatt in reply to Tall_Allen

Okay, just to be clear on the infusions. Let's say I start next week.

He could give me infusions next week M-W-F and then the next week, M-W-F or twice a week for three times a week? Probably twice a week for 3 times a week huh?

I was figuring on using fewer pain meds when the chemo kicks more ass.

Help me out with the geek speed Allen, so I could theoretically take more and more with no adverse effect as long as I increase the dose slowly? I guess I could stop cold when I need it or slowly wean down?

Funny story about Morphine. When I was first diagnosed I was given some liquid morphine for pain relief. When my doc gave it to me, I thought she told me to take it every 4 hours. When I saw her 2 days later the morphine was very low and she asked me why is it so low. I told her, "You said take it every 4 hours." She told me, "Nooooo. I said when you take it, it lasts for 4 hours."

The craziest part, woah boy, that Morphine was YUMMY YUMMY!

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply to FinalBossMatt

No, you just get one infusion, once every 3 weeks. You do that 6 times. So if you get your infusion on Monday, you get your next infusion 3 weeks later on that Monday, etc.

As for side effects... All opiates cause constipation. The drowsiness goes away after a while with continued use. Talk to your oncologist on how to ramp up.

FinalBossMatt profile image
FinalBossMatt in reply to Tall_Allen

Okay and so if I am reacting well like you said I could go as long as 10 weeks getting the infusion once a week. Got it.

You actually did address a concern I had. I've hired an appointment setter for my marketing company (Websites, Search Engine Optimization blah blah) and I was wondering how much of my life I would be putting on hold. Even though the medicine hasn't lasted as long as I wanted it, it wasn't affecting me one bit.

Chemo might be a little tough but fuck it dude, we're all fighters here man, it ain't about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get it, and keep moving forward.

That's how winning is done.

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply to FinalBossMatt

No, you are still not understanding. It is NOT once a week, it is once every 3 weeks. It is typically 6 infusions, but can go as long as 10 infusions. So, a schedule might look like this:

First infusion, Monday, May 10

Second infusion, Monday, May 31

Third infusion, Monday, June 21

Fourth infusion, Monday, July 12

Fifth infusion, Monday, August 2

Sixth infusion, Monday, August 23

FinalBossMatt profile image
FinalBossMatt in reply to Tall_Allen

Okay got it. Sorry, I'm walking into something obviously new to me. :)

Cooolone profile image
Cooolone

Pain mitigation should not be accompanied with anything that would reduce or affect "fever"...

It would, and could... possibly mask a serious side effect from the chemo that if ignored could be life threatening. Especially in early rounds of chemo (fever)...

This as told to me by my MO when I self medicated for pain with some Tylenol or Advil.

Just sayin...

Best Regards

2dee profile image
2dee

Research the use of CBD oil for pain. Helped me greatly with pain AND I cut Norco down from a dozen a day to two.2Dee

FinalBossMatt profile image
FinalBossMatt in reply to 2dee

I have you there. :)

FinalBossMatt profile image
FinalBossMatt

Well, here's an update on the meds.

Apparently, they're doing a good job of kicking in. When I said I took Aleve and Cooolone said it wasn't a good idea. I figured on just messing around with what the doc wants me to use.

I've taken them as prescribed but now, I'm still doing the same thing, and they are working the whole time.

So I am guessing I've passed the initial pre-chemo set up, and now I'm ready to rock and roll.

Enjoy your weekend comedy lads!

Nukepharmd profile image
Nukepharmd

Opioid math. As a pharmacist, pain meds are rated against morphine. 1 mg of morphine is equal to 1 mg norco. Oxy is 1.5 times morphine, meaning Oxy 5 equals 7.5 mg of morphine and Oxy 10 equals 15 mg Morphine. So Oxy 10-325 has 15 milligram equivalent of 15 mg of Morphine plus 325 mg of apap (tylenol). You suggest that Oxy/apap works better than morphine alone. It is because of the synergistic effect between the two. Your pain doc should prescribe Oxy 10-325 three times day and Oxy 5-325 for break through pain. As mentioned many times opioids causes constipation so a bowel help should be on your regimen. The next step might be to ask about Fentanyl patches that provides 80 times morphine strength in micro gram increases. Patches start at 12.5 mcg per hour over 72 hrs, then replace patch. Lastly, Aleve ( naproxen) is better for bone pain than any other otc NSAIDs.

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n in reply to Nukepharmd

Thank you for your valuable input....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 05/09/2021 10:55 PM DST

cesces profile image
cesces

No worry's about our well publicized opioid addiction epidemic?

FinalBossMatt profile image
FinalBossMatt in reply to cesces

Fair questions and the answer is, "No."

The reason why is I wouldn't be able to overdo it on the pills even if I wanted to. I get nobody ever does, but I have four alternatives.

1) I'm in Florida, and I can sign up to get "THE CARD" in about 3 weeks for medical marijuana.

2) I am in a "country" area so it wouldn't be to difficult in finding some.

3) I could go to a restaurant or a bar to find someone to help me out.

4) I'm right on the beach...... surfers...... DUDE BRUH! ;-P

I'm going to start signing up for the card anyway. When I get the card I'm probably not going to bother making the switch unless I noticed things going in that direction.

If things aren't going in that direction, I'll just roll with everything until chemo is over and then stop the meds. :)

You may also like...

Chemo experience? I'm starting this week...

Hi all, I’m starting chemo this week for small cell carcinoma at Dana Farber. Plan includes...

Started chemo after abiraterone failure-need help!!!

nearly 15 days. Will chemo help with the pain ? How long will it take to get some relief from the...

I am in absolute pain this weekend.

I really need some input, I am currently between my first and 2nd dose of Lu 177. My last PSA was 3

Experiencing Leg muscle weakness post chemo, not able to walk more than 2-3 mins, any advice?

Completed 10 docetaxel session on 19th October. After 9th chemo I experienced left leg muscle...

Thought I would never say this but I’m struggling!!!!

despite wearing a fentany patch plus Oxy and now morphine. The chemo aggravates the cancer and...