Opiates

[27-359]

I have recently been prescribed Oramorph to deal with back pain, but have read on an alternative site that opiates "feed" the tumour. Does anyone know anything about this statement please?

Jenny

[fendweller]

I don't have a scientific answer to this Jenny but I was prescribed Oramorph during my first three cycles of taxol and carbo for excruciating leg pain, all I can say is at the end of my six cycles I was NED ,it did come back after nine months but I don't think it was anything to do with the Oramorph .I hope your back pain eases off soon , sending love .

Cheryl x

[27-359 in reply to fendweller]

Thank you for your reassurance. The pain was so bad, and Oramorph has given me back a good night's sleep.

Jenny

[fendweller in reply to 27-359]

You're welcome Jenny ,take care .x

[Tillymint61]

Oramorph is so commonly used across cancer treatment by highly trained clinicians so I can not believe it to act in the way you have read. It may stem from the school of thought that sugar feeds tumours and as oramorph probably uses sugar as a 'disguise' to make it palatable that has a negative affect. This theory 're sugar has not had any substantial study to support that as a theory either.Please don't remain in pain. It wears you down and will make your coping mechanisms flounder.

The Ovacome support team may be able to give you a more substantive reason to reassure you to take oramorph and get your pain under control.

I was given morphine patches at one point for pain. Only needed them for a little while. Might be an option if you can't get beyond what you have read.xx

[27-359]

Thank you. I think you may be right about the sugar connection.

Jenny

[bamboo89 in reply to 27-359]

There are still many (usually alternative) sources that say that sugar in all its forms is absolutely to be avoided if you have cancer because it 'feeds' cancer. The truth is, everything we eat, even if its not sugar to start with, gets converted to glucose eventually so the body's cells can use it as fuel. That nice, crusty, white baguette or roll you might like to eat is converted in the body to glucose in less than 20 minutes, for instance.... We all know we shouldn't eat lots of sugary foods for other health reasons anyway, so yes, eating lots of those isn't a good idea for general health or for cancer, but trying to exclude all sugar from the body is an impossibility, and that is what those sources don't mention. You might be interested to read this, its written for medical oncology professionals, and its quite brief to read medscape.com/viewarticle/97...

[27-359 in reply to bamboo89]

Thanks for that, though I was unable to access as I couldn't supply details and graduation dates 're medical school!

[bamboo89 in reply to 27-359]

Oh, sorry, that's useless then isn't it! I didn't have to supply those details myself in the first place when I signed up a couple of years back, but it's basically an oncology consultant saying how she gets her patients to grasp the situation with food and sugar is to say that the cancer cells are your cells, they eat the same things as your own healthy cells do. So to deprive cancer cells of all sugar, you'd have to starve, therefore depriving your healthy cells too, because brain and red blood cells need sugar, and the body makes sure its always available, unless you never eat again...

[SUE7777]

Be oh so careful what you read on the internet! Always check the source anyone can post anything. Take care Sue xx

[27-359 in reply to SUE7777]

I belong to a cancer treatment "alternative" site and am aware that I am not fighting this cancer every hour of the day, and spending vast amounts of money in the hope of finding the holy grail. I wonder if I am too accepting of my situation.

Jenny

[SUE7777 in reply to 27-359]

Not at all but I find it hard to believe the Doctors are giving out painkillers that cause harm. All the best and I hope you get it sorted.

[NotThatGirl]

Trust your doctors. They are the experts in this field. That is not to say don’t ask questions. But never rely on information you see on the Internet.

[27-359 in reply to NotThatGirl]

Thank you.

[organicinna]

I did ask that question about pain killers and tumors to my doctors. They smile and said " It soothes the tumor" )) I got tiny tumor in my pelvis at the moment nagging me every day on and of. I do anything to make it happy and shut up )) Whats the point to suffer bravely without opioids when paracetamol doesn't really help ? ))

[27-359 in reply to organicinna]

I must admit, when I need it, I want it!

Jenny

[organicinna in reply to 27-359]

Then take it and enjoy it )) XXX

[LesleyGB]

Hi, my MacMillan Cancer Nurse specialist who works at my cancer centre at the hospital suggested I might need this when I was suddenly having bad pain in my side for two days which she (and my onc - she checked with him) was certain was the chemo attacking the cancer. They said to get a physical check with my GP who was aware of my cancer and he was happy to give Oramorph to me - a big bottle in case it happens again - so if they are happy I don't see it can be a problem. Good luck and glad it worked for you. x

[27-359]

Thank you.