Breakthrough pain

[Janet235]

I have read many posts which write about breakthrough pain.

However until the MacMillan nurse who visited me at home yesterday mentioned this I hadn't really thought it applied to me.

I am now on palliative care so I know the disease is growing - again who knows at what strength and rate? Over the last two weeks or so I wake in the early hours with sometimes quite strong griping, cramping like pains across my abdomen ...it feels tight and uncomfortable.. this is when I after take a 5 ml spoonful of liquid oxycondone. In the past this has helped dissipate pain over 1/2 hour but recently - no effect

I am also on 4 mg Steroids daily and lowest dose fentanyl patch changed every third day.

I thought the pain was a warning that I needed to pass a motion but that is also extremely inconsistent. It feels impossible to unpick exactly where it stems from and what it might be?

Anyhow the nurse said it could be breakthrough pain and recommended I up the dose of oxycodone to 3 spoonfuls a day and maybe look at increasing dose on fentanyl patch if it persists. It is also now impinging on my very poor eating and moving about still and generally getting about...

What do other ladies take for this type of pain I wonder, how does it present and what is most helpful?

Many thanks Janet x

[BeeWild]

Morning Janet so sorry your getting pain and not getting the relief you need! Can’t help you out with a good pain medication regime but just wanted to say Hi 👋

I’m sure if you speak to your palliative care team they will come up with a good solution for you that maintains your appetite and mobility but keeps you pain free x

Have you stopped all treatment now??

Gentle hugs and much love

Bev xx

[Janet235 in reply to BeeWild]

Hi back... I will not have any more heavy duty chemo but went to C's last week to discuss a gentler tablet chemo form only (name begins with c....) which I could start in 2 weeks if I can get my eating and strength up a bit more. This could give me up to 10% remission but again comes with side effects... swings and roundabouts again...

I'll keep you posted... how are you doing? 💞

[BeeWild in reply to Janet235]

Feeling nauseous with the olaparib and just hoping it’s working or I’ll be going back on chemo ☹️ Should have a bit of an idea on 3rd when my Ca125 is tested again xx

How’s the eating going for you? I know it’s a bit off the wall but my son keeps telling me to try cannabis to stop my nausea and it’s meant to increase your appetite too? I can’t try anything with being on this trial but it may work for you for your appetite?? I know it’s now ok for medical use so maybe ask at the Christie if you would benefit?

Keeping everything crossed you can get to have the tablets and get some remission time xx

[Lily-Anne]

Your meds are beginner doses so to speak. I went into the hospice for three weeks and they dealt with pain management

I am now on Fentanyl patch 50mcg, Oxycodone 15mg M/R , pregablin 75mg, dexamethosone steroids, paracetamol, Oxycodone liquid as required 10ml.

I started on lower doses but quickly needed to increase. I am sure I will be going up again as have been on this regime since Easter

I would ask for a pain management referral to the hospice they’re amazing

LA xx

[Janet235 in reply to Lily-Anne]

Thanks, I will. I will be at the hospice next week for first therapy of foot massage, but my community MacMillan nurse also brilliant to able to authorise increase of pained x

[Petrolhead]

Hi Janet

Quite tough and horrible for you to be going through this.

Thinking a different way you say pain is griping and cramping. Is it worth asking about Buscopan - contains hyoscine an antispasmodic.

Also do you need to up your calorie intake? If so would high calorie drinks or things like Forticreme help as they are relatively easy to take. Readily available on prescription.

Just a thought.

Fay

[Janet235 in reply to Petrolhead]

Yes I had that in hospital a couple of times but as injection, will add to he list...thanks I'd forgotten about that one

Yes nutrition is hardest part for me still. I now have new small pots of daily 400 cal yogurty drink , ( can't remember name perhaps that's it you wrote) ...in fact mixing with plain yogurt as dessert, but takes 2 days. Dietician recommended new stuff great inc sachets of 450 billion Strain probiotics!!

This morning I will have my banana pancake

Brill Nutritious recipe which slips down easily

I egg, I mashed banana, 1/4 tsp baking powder, dollop of maple syrup. Combine all ingredients. Sizzle knob of butter in small fry pan and cook like an omlette. Bit sloppier but fine. Add whack of high fat creme fraiche, yummy...

[Neona]

Probably unrelated but I get excruciating pain in abdomen and sides just from coughing or stretching and have come to the conclusion that it is cramp and is probably caused by my ongoing magnesium and calcium deficiency.

[lorraine71-Australia]

Hi Janet, I'm sorry love I did not answer your post earlier but not been feeling the best I try to keep up on the post , I find it hard to sit up for too long.

The palliative DR came to day and he has left me with a list medicines to start taking , so give me a couple of days and I post it to you .

I don't know if it will help as I'm in Australia but it could help.

Take care Lorraine xx

[Janet235]

No worries I understand it just gets harder to do any small task...