pain management : What is good for pain... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

22,349 members28,110 posts

pain management

Fight11 profile image
33 Replies

What is good for pain management? Just would like some opinions. Something that helps with pain without getting to sleepy. Would really love some advice.

Written by
Fight11 profile image
Fight11
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
33 Replies
Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen

One gets used to opiates, so they stop causing drowsiness. If there is inflammation, prescription NSAIDs can help. Talk to a pain management specialist.

Fight11 profile image
Fight11 in reply toTall_Allen

His Mets are getting very painful everywhere. He will be getting Lu 177 Sept 9th. That’s a long time to wait with nothing working in between.

EdBacon profile image
EdBacon

For me, it depends on my pain level. If I can handle it with over-the-counter meds like Tylenol or Ibuprofen, those are the "first line of defense".

If it's more than they can handle, I alternate Norco and Cannabis since I am in a state of the US that allows that. I think it's good to rotate meds if possible so they have a better chance of staying effective, not building a tolerance, addiction, side effects, etc.

Here's a fairly good article

drugs.com/article/pain-mana...

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber

Opiates tend to make some people sleepy at first depending on the dosage but effect usually wears off as you continue to get used to it and you build tolerance to it.

You might ask your GP or oncologist about trying hydroxyzine along with your opiate. Hydroxyzine will make you sleepy the first couple of days or so, like opioids, in larger doses ..but as tolerance builds the sleepiness affect will subside. Your doctor will know if it is compatible with your other meds and prescribe it for you.

Also, if you live in a cannabis legal state, go to your local cannabis store and ask the clerks about what species they have that work well for pain.

nobaday profile image
nobaday in reply toKaliber

I found NSAID Indomethicin took pain of Mets in C3 and T8 to T12 down to pain level around zero for just over a year. I was hoping this would be good until Lu177 approval in Canada. However pain returned level 3/10 last November so had some radiation in Tspine. And then my C3 net eroded C3 and needed emergency neck surgery June 2022. On Tylenol3 with codeine for past 3 weeks… which has caused big constipation pain!!!So backing off T3 now. Looks like I might have to travel now to get Lu177 to see if can control slow growing C3 and T8 to T12 Mets. As approval of Lu177 in Canada still months away and then the challenge to access it still looks year(s) away. Cannabis/ THC/ oils worth a try but I have had no conclusive relief of pain from .

Where are you getting Lu177, and insurance covered I hope!

Fight11 profile image
Fight11 in reply tonobaday

Dana Farber in Boston and yes insurance covered!

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber in reply tonobaday

You probably meant to reply to someone else in this thread speaking of lu177. But I can contribute a bit …

Prescription strength NSAIDS very quickly attack my kidneys, in less than four weeks sent my enzymes to shocking high near damage levels levels. They did very little for me when I was taking them. You can check some of my posts. I was a ( legal ) medical cannabis ( hydro ) provider for a large local medical co-op and , over the years settled on a cannabis “ flour “ product that I make. ….which is bud that is decarbed and reduced to a flour that is eaten in a dab of peanut butter, Nutella etc. … adding it to food works . There are a few strains that are excellent pain relievers , but you have to be willing to be high for a while. eat it this evening , pain free tonight , overnight and several hours tomorrow morning too. Pain relieving levels put most people to sleep eventually. Making cannabis flour is easy but quite expensive if you buy the bud ( a good hand full of sticky AAA bud makes a palmful of flour. ). If you live in the states where its legal in corner stores , you can find rooted young plants to grow at home to save money. It takes a bit of trial and error with the store to find the locally available strains that kill pain for you …..then buy the starter plants to grow. Yea it’s labor intensive but very well worth the effort and you never have to buy the bud again. Most people are surprised at how effective cannabis is when they find the right strain, still you have to be willing to be “ stoned “ to the bone yayahahahaya. That just doesn’t work for everyone.

❤️❤️❤️

kainasar profile image
kainasar in reply toKaliber

Thanks friend. Would be helpful to know the name of such product -"cannabis “ flour “ ….which is bud that is decarbed and reduced to a flour"

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber in reply tokainasar

Yayahahahaya … that’s the glitcher … needless to say it’s going to be an indica , and strains along the white widow or OG Kush lines are where you’d start. Preferably pure strains of indica. The problem is that many buds in the stores are misidentified or purposely misrepresented to begin with and then you have to find the strain that fits your body chemistry best. The stores and home deliveries here in town have many dozen different species , so browsing would be pretty easy. Just ask the clerk which strain is most popular for pain at the moment. Even the way the plants are grown, even the fertilizer ( I grew strictly roots-in-rocks hydro using Foxfarm nuets ) impact the final product . In a good sized store I’d guess you’d find at least two or three strains that work well for you. Think of the fun you’ll have finding your best match yayahahahaya. I’m using what’s left of a private growers reserve called Jimbo AAA … probably a couple tons existed at one time , but only scraps are left nowadays. Growers ate it all, so to speak yayahahahaya. This strain was best cured in mason jar glass about 12 months and vac-packed another 12. The extended curing time helps the decarbing effectiveness. You won’t have to do any of “ that stuff “ tho … just use store bought buds as is ( decarbed of course … 220f @ 40minutes ) . You won’t find any product called “ cannabis flour tho … you have to make your own. You just break up the buds and strip the stems ( buying AAA top drawer shake saves you money , you’re busting the buds anyway ) , then decarb, further bust the buds by pressing - scraping them through a stainless steel kitchen strainer until you have very fine powder. Believe me , “ this “ is worth every effort to “ get there “ …. Seriously. You’ll be very happy you did.

❤️❤️❤️

EdBacon profile image
EdBacon in reply toKaliber

I have found the Indica strains like Grand Daddy Purple or OG Kush don't get me "high" at all, just relieve my pain. I'm using one called Platinum Cookies now that also doesn't get me high, just relieves my pain. If you take a lot, you can end up getting the infamous "couch lock" but I think that's the case with any pain reliever. Cannabis is better for evening though in general, but you need a good night time pain reliever anyway. It helps you sleep and lasts through the night. The only issue I have with ingesting it, is it takes a couple hours before you get an effect and of course that means taking small amounts so you don't overdo it. The amount I need is very small, I'm impressed with how effective such a small amount is. But I try not to use it every day so I don't develop a tolerance.

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber in reply toEdBacon

Kewl … sounds spot on my brother yayahahahaya. You definitely have nailed it. It’s surprising how many people look to cannabis for pain relief and fail / give up because they just don’t know how to find the right one or the selection of strains there locally don’t include the good pain strains. They get frustrated and give up. I have a strain called Black sugar rose ( og-13 too ) that can take 3 hours to get going if you eat it …so long you have plenty of time to use a quicker acting strain in the meantime just for ducks. Yayahahahaya yayahahahaya. Or just dabbing or smoking in the Interim. When you have it dialed in … I agree with you , exactly.

❤️❤️❤️

in reply toKaliber

Decarb and whittle it down to powder and just mix with peanut butter. Why didn't I think of that? After my winter garage grow in the AZ desert I have plenty of product left over as the next grow approaches. I've been wanting to turn some of this into edibles; gummies would be ideal but seem a tad tricky. I use Dr Earth nutrients in a mix of Ocean Forest, Happy Frog and coco/perlite mix. Harvested a decent crop restrained by the ravages of fungus gnats (darn you, fungus gnats!). The strains I chose to grow were Crown Royale and Blue Cookies. More for partying than pain. Mostly indica. Wanted something for nightime use that wouldn't interfere with sleep. Fun hobby. Oh, wanted to mention -- leafly.com is a decent source for strain info and even what is in your local dispensary inventory.

MichaelDD profile image
MichaelDD

Don't see much in your bio, so not sure what you might be looking for. I very early on in my diagnosis was assigned by my oncologist(s) a hospice/palliative care doctor. He works very well for me. Very knowledgable on what certain drugs do, how they interact with what I have personally and what will work to help with my pain. You may want to consider asking for a doctor like this. I have found oncologists work well with our cancer, but with drugs to help pain etc they are not as knowledgeable. Note mine is my palliative care now, and will be my hospice when the time is needed.

kaptank profile image
kaptank

I dislike opiods and only want them for end-of-life. (constipation, addiction and an unpleasant stone) Paracetemol plus ibuprofen works for me for medium pain. (paracetemol every 4 hours plus ibuprofen in between). For bad pain, add cannabis. Smoking is OK but cannabis oil plus paracetemol plus ibuprofen is in my experience on a par with the opiates. Take cannabis (0.2-0.5g oil) about 2 hours before bed. You will wake up mildly stoned and stay that way most of the day. Pretty much 50-50 THC and CBD.

EdBacon profile image
EdBacon in reply tokaptank

I think 50-50 is the ideal ratio. I have a friend with severe neuropathy and he says 50-50 CBD-THC works better than anything else he's used.

larry_dammit profile image
larry_dammit

Deep subject, my doctor ( oncologist) told me from the start he didn’t want me in pain anytime and not to worry about addiction, I’m 6 years into my war with this monster and doing good with Ms Cotin and Dilaudin

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber in reply tolarry_dammit

Yea at this point , being worried about addiction is the least of our concerns. You are getting some of the good’ ins too. Yayahahahaya. Our only concern with opiates is being careful not to let opiate bowel blockage become our worse nightmare ( already been mine once ). None of us croakers should have to spend our final time in pain … it’s WAY inhumane for sure.

❤️❤️❤️

larry_dammit profile image
larry_dammit in reply toKaliber

Miralax. 1/2 cap full every morning and you will ( or I have ) not had any issues at all. If 1/2 doesn’t wok use more, and if works to well then cut it back. Natural ,won’t hurt you or your system

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber in reply tolarry_dammit

I’ll actually write that down , just in case. Right now I take stool softeners am and late pm …and if no “ good “ results in ( say ) a day … a day and a half , I take a good glug of MOM ( milk of magnesia ) to get things moving. I , unfortunately, developed a whopping case of bowel sepsis once already …. I think I can state that “ sepsis “ was the single worse nightmare of my existence.

❤️❤️❤️

MateoBeach profile image
MateoBeach in reply toKaliber

Recently explored that Resveratrol orally is a good gut/bowel antibiotic and anti inflammatory, regardless of limited systemic absorption. Might consider adding that, and other gut microbiome measures, while needing opiates and laxatives.

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber in reply toMateoBeach

I’ve been on a regimen of powerful gut Micro biotics ( 60 billion prebiotic- probiotic and fiber blend ) for , probably, over 20 years … I take them every morning. A remnant of 30-40 years of health food freak and being a strict vegetarian while I was doing my decades of Buddhist training . Back in the early days , I used to eat strictly out of a blender yayahahahaya. Ive had to “ deep six “ a lot of it as it was , supposedly, detrimental to my cancer or cancer med regimen. Thanks for the info big guy , I’m always trying to tune and refine my supplements. Preciate it.

❤️❤️❤️

CDA1932 profile image
CDA1932 in reply toMateoBeach

I use Restora Fibre Gummies and buy them on Amazon. The dose on the bottle indicates 2 twice a day but I find that 2 once a day works fine. Hope you like them.

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber in reply tolarry_dammit

I think I’ll do that , just to give myself a break / rest from the others and most likely add another tool to the management tool box. Thanks buddy ….

❤️❤️❤️

EdBacon profile image
EdBacon in reply toKaliber

Are you able to use cannabis now or still getting harassed by Kaiser?

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber in reply toEdBacon

Uh …….er ….. ah ……. what ? Yayahahahaya

in reply toKaliber

I'm not on any of these industrial strength pain meds known to cause constipation. I just am prone to constipation but have my own personal remedy -- prune juice. Just a few oz with breakfast and a few with dinner. On the last cruise I took I just asked for it and they provided, reaching down below the beverage counter.

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber in reply to

The hammer uses prune juice in those little cans , I need more of a jackhammer than a claw hammer yayahahahaya yayahahahaya. She likes prune juice , I do too.

Woodstock82 profile image
Woodstock82

When ibuprofen stopped working for me, my PCP prescribed meloxicam (also an NSAID) and it has worked well for my back pain. It can be hard on the stomach and the kidneys, so once my pain was under control I stopped taking it daily and now only take it "as needed" -- which lately has been only a couple times a month.

Jamesjohn63 profile image
Jamesjohn63

I use BioFreeze. It is going on sale at Costco. I have aches in my elbows, shoulders, and back. For my knees I use Diclofenac also from Costco. if use opioids every day you will become habituated. Now and then at night I take soma, but not all the time

Olivia007 profile image
Olivia007

Not really sure my dad suffered in silence most doctors I know don’t want to prescribe opioids because of the addictive consequences but my dad was 83 years old I thought it was about quality of life it’s not like he was going to sell them on the street to kids all the doctors he tended to do not want to give it to him they gave him some mild form of non addictive pill that didn’t work Tylenol worked better than the prescription they gave him honestly I don’t know what to tell you but I do think of the doctors out there need to figure out who has a better quality of life and they should give them the opioids than one that’s going to be addicted and sell it to others and demand more he was 83 years old my gosh ridiculous

Good luck

in reply toOlivia007

That's the silly consequence of the war on drugs -- punish the people with a legitimate need for them. Meanwhile, in the US, keep the southern border open to allow nasty drugs like fentanyl to flood on in.

I think there must have been gnat eggs in that commercial soil, which wasn't sterilized. I was late in recognizing the problem. There are ways of controlling them, first being to let the top of the soil dry out between waterings. Just another challenge. Yeah I used those grow bags too.

hellohelp2 profile image
hellohelp2

How do you add new topic. Husband in hospital 3 wk. On morphine er 30mg and dialudid Not controlling pain.

He has a nasty small cancer Mets especially in spine.

Almost cannot swallow so they want to drop oral morphine. He has been in shivering teeth shattering

c pain .

They keep saying they will give him a little something extra

I should have asked what.

Nothing extra given.

Asked charge nurse for information He wants out of pain and keeps pulling iv off.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

pain management

14 months into this journey and it's been bit of a battle to get Oncologist to take my pain more...
Zetabow profile image

pain management

I’m curious what fellow warriors daily pain management looks like. In the past 8-12 weeks the...
db1966 profile image

Pain Management

Dear All can anyone help. Diagnosed with stage 1V advanced metastatic prostate cancer December...
Nyon profile image

Pain management

I have found a combination of naproxen sodium (NS)) and Hydromorphone (H) as needed was effective...
chascri profile image

pain management help

Hey all! mom wondering what your suggestions are for pain management. My dad has been having bad...

Moderation team

Bethishere profile image
BethishereAdministrator
Number6 profile image
Number6Administrator
Darryl profile image
DarrylPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.