Since diagnosis in 2018, I have pretty much run the gamut of affordable SOC treatments and I finally got my Onco to agree that the treatments were doing more harm than good (based on side effects and endlessly climbing PSA).
I have continual gut pain. Is this type of pain what we hear about as end state cancer pain or is that some thing that will come later? I ask because the pain does not respond well to 5ug morphine patches. My Onco says that i need to be building up the morphine concentration by adding more patches or half patches. I am concerned that if I use it too freely now, I will be habituated to it when the “big” pain starts.
Does male care have any recommendations or reseources for Voluntary Cessation or eating and drinking?
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Frigataflyer
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My personal plan when and if I get to this point is:(A) I believe opiate pain control is a pharma driven scam and that they aren't any good for longer than a week or two because of the rebound effect.
(B) I will experiment with cannabis pain control (my belief is that cannabis, through the extra cannabinoid receptors on PC cells actually promotes the growth of PC).
(C) When the situation gets too unbearable I just refuse food and water. I am unaware of any jurisdiction that denies you that agency. Though I would formally work that out with the hospital or hospice ahead of time.
Those are my plans.
I certainly welcome any criticism or input on them.
Dr. Myers used to say he lost more prostate cancer patients from cardiovascular than from prostate cancer.
I respect your plan. I also have a plan.So we have our plans, but we do not know the outcome. 😊
Hey Frigatflyer ! You are one tuff hombre to endure what you have . We had a young er doctor two years ago that was faced with no more options . He had a name for it . But he simply stopped eating and drinking to not suffer unduly at the end . A brave man indeed! I think if I’m in that position I’ll do the same … I don’t see this as really just giving in, rather it’s takin a little control back in the misery . 🙏😔
Morphine is titratable without limit. That means that if you increase the dosage slowly enough, you can always take more - it never stops working, and more always helps. You may need something else (like a fentanyl lollipop) for periodic "breakthrough pain."
hey guy …. Just IMHO , but I wouldn’t worry about addiction at this point in your life. More to the point is being comfortable, comfortable enough to enjoy your remaining time with your wife- caregiver and family . Comfortable enough, if possible, to get out and enjoy some sunsets , sea shore waves / salt air ….. whatever things you enjoy, loved ones a big bonus brother. Your medical team will be able to moderate your pain - discomforts when “ the big pain “ starts, no matter what. It’s about comfort and well being … a good as possible place for your and your families heads and hearts.
I just want to make sure you don't lose sight of some good info. As Tall and Kal said addiction is not an issue. Let what Tall said above be a guide which is what your Dr. was recommending anyway.
I sympathize with what your going thru. When I am progressing as I was again recently it is speculated that enlarged lymph nodes are pushing on my stomach and on digestive nerves. I experience gagging at thought of eating, dry heaves and pain on one side of stomach.
Ascites I believe is the end stage abdominal fluid build up you alluded to. It doesn't seem you have this. I would hope your Dr. would exam you for signs of it (firm bloated stomach). I just searched and Ascites occurs 80% with advanced liver cirrhosis and only 10% with cancer of any type.
My thoughts are with you. I hope you have loved ones and comfort.
In September I had terrible abdominal pain and was diagnosed with ascites. I had difficulty eating and drinking. Shortness of breath and declining daily. I was bed ridden and in hospice care. I was hospitalized several times and needed blood transfusions because of low hemoglobin. I was sure I would not see Christmas. None of my Doctor's had a treatment plan due to the rarity of this condition, Malignant Abdominal Ascites due to my prostate cancer.
A drain tube was inserted in my abdomen and my wife drained a liter of fluid every other day. She drove me to Mayo Clinic and the consensus was to start Pluvicto, but due to a shortage, it would be a couple of months. Went home and found out the new Molecular Therapy Institute had Pluvicto and I could start in a week.
My first treatment on 11/14/22, PSA 815. After second treatment, drain tube removed, SPECT scan extremely remarkable, no more ascites and PSA 9. Had my 3rd treatment and will have PSMA PET scan to determine if further treatments are needed.
Many blessings to you as you seek peace and comfort. My spouse may be running out of options soon and we have spoken at length about end-of-life care and planning. Although no specific plans are in place, since we live in Washington State, there are options for aid in dying. The organization, End of Livfe Washington (endoflifewa.org) has excellent and thorough resources for all aspects of end of life planning. I encourage everyone to review their site because it provides so much information about planning no matter what your options are where you live. One item that is discussed Voluntary stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED) is explained. I wish the very best for you.
Frigataflyer, do you have confirmation that stomach pain is from PCa ?
If not, our 32 yr old son had serious stomach pain. We feared what it could be. A simple scope of his stomach, under light sedation showed that he had several Ulcers that were inflammed. An extended anti biotic regimen turned it around.
This PCa is stressful. Understatement. Stress will often reside in our gastro intestinal tract. Hope you find a solution. Press on Brother, Mike
so sorry to hear warrior, my doctor said in the beginning there was no need of me being in pain. Take what you can to be comfortable,there are lots of drugs out there when time comes. Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow is another day and another war 😢
I don't know the situation in Mexico but here in the UK, when it gets near the end, I'm likely to go into a Hospice where they will administer to me a 'driver' which is basically a pain relief plus sedative mix given intravenously. My mum had this when her ovarian cancer got the better of her. They kept upping the dose and she died peacefully asleep. Wishing you the best.
Have you yet seen a palliative care specialist? If not, I would urge you to ask your oncologist for a referral. I was set up early on with such a person, and he has been indispensable to me as I work my through this difficult process. Best of luck to you.........................
Frigataflyer - My heart breaks for you brother... This may not be the end of the line... I absolutely respect end of life planning when qol becomes void and exhaustion of life sets in, but only the patient can make that final decision... I would hope you read the posts above by Kaliber and most notably by SF22 . Both are thoughts from the "other side of the coin" re: end of life.Miracles happen. They've happened to me as well as countless others on this forum. So many men are here who speak of having been on hospice, some years ago...
SF22's testimony above radiates hope in my heart for myself. I believe it was a miracle, and his miracle raises hope in my heart that miracles will continue for me and everyone who may need one (and asks for one)....
I wish you peace and guidance with the agonizing decisions you are currently faced with...
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