Bone Mets Thread
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Arrrgh, Dune! Not sure what's up with that nurse practitioner, but she sounds horrible! Is there a pain doc (pallative care specialist in some places) you can see? I can't believe she's trying to control your pain meds!
One thing I think someone touched on above, but is worth repeating... don't get into a situation where you're chasing the pain. You have to take your meds ahead of the pain kicking in. Trying to get ahold of it once it returns doesn't work. But beyond that, it sounds like you need a fresh set of eyes re-evaluating what you're on.
Mikarae ~ Glad you've decided to join us! I'm sure the Canadian gals will be along to answer your question.
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Valerie, thank you. Beginning Halaven on Monday. Hopefully it will get the bone mets & liver mets under control! Time will tell.
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Linda, I think it is horrible that they judge us for taking meds that enable us to function in this crazy world.
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She deals with the psych meds, dlb, one of which is xanax. She judges me in a negative way because I take 1-2 xanax a day. I've been taking it since 1981. It helps my anxiety condition, which in turn helps prevent my depression from becoming suicidal. We've tried many different drugs over the years but only xanax helped. They didn't know at that time that it was addictive. Now, I mostly take it to sleep. I try to get off it, at least for sleep, so that I will have it for the anxiety. Anyway it's something I deal with. I don't abuse it. So why does she treat me like scum? Obviously I am addicted, but I'm not seeking more and more. In fact I try to get off it. / Okay, so that was a whole lot of irrelevance. LOL. Pain meds. But hey, I'm not a druggie. hehehe
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Syrmom,good luck. I hope it works.
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dunesleeper, thanks. If it were me, I'd find a new prescriber. You shouldn't have to put up with that nonsense & mistreatment, especially now that you have the Stage IV dx too! Can't think of anything more anxiety producing than that!! She would fall under the heading of toxic people, who've I tried my best to eliminate from my life.
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Dune, you're not addicted in my opinion. But pardon my ignorance, what is the role of a nurse practitioner? We have no such thing in Quebec.
Linda
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Hi all,
Sorry you're dealing with pain and idiot nurses, Dune. And sorry the rest of you are dealing with pain!
I feel like a weenie asking about this, but has anyone had really bad tummy issues after a high-contrast CT scan? I've been sick to my stomach ever since I drank the licorice-flavoured sewage stuff for the scan. I've never had this type of reaction before, so I'm trying to figure out if it's flu, food poisoning, or the CT scan. Between feeling like I'm going to throw up and having the trots (sorry about TMI), I'm just not having fun. Hoping this goes away before my photography class tomorrow. I'm off to go lie down to see if that helps...
Hugs to all,
Terre
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Re: Nurse Practitioner is an RN with more education and the capability to write prescriptions, there are also RN's who are P.A.s ( Physician Assistants) they also have more training than regular RN's and also can prescribe medications
Re:Pain meds: There is a difference between addiction and dependency I figure addition is made up of psychological needs and physical needs, dependency is purely physical and is easier to wean a person off of the drug. Too many people are subject to developing psychological needs when they find out that they like feeling that too high a dose of pain meds can cause, (being stoned) Pain meds do have a place in keeping a patients quality of life. When used properly one can still function in the world and not stay in bed with a heating pad and crummy TV shows. It is hard to find a balance to help one keep on going, I recently added a specialist in pain management to my rooster of doctors due to the drug laws in my area. Showed him some of my reports that show the condition and locations of my bone mets spine illiac and ribs.,so he has documentation of my needs,. Radiation is another tool for pain management. I had rads to my pelvis area (had difficulty walking), relief was not immediate but it did help a lot
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The others have said well what a nurse practitioner is. I believe they work under the control of a real doctor. This woman is too much. She actually refers to herself as Dr. Funk. I see diplomas and pictures on her wall attesting to nursing school only. It's a psych center where lots of people work. Using nurse practitioners keeps profits higher. A typical session goes like this: she retrieves me from waiting room, she walks rapidly way to the back where her office is, she's a tiny thing and I have trouble keeping up, not that she appears to notice. She immediately takes my bp with an automatic cuff that gets too tight and stays tight for a long time before it loosens with extreme slowness which is painful. Don't move though or it pumps itself tighter. She writes the prescriptions without saying anything. I may mention something about having a struggle. She never asks about it. How I feel is completely irrelevant to her. Anyway I have the names and numbers of some psychiatrists in the area, thanks to the social worker on my team. I need to start calling those numbers Monday. I have tolerated this woman 3 or 4 years.
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Oh Terre I pray you are feeling very well for your photography adventure. Do rest well kiddo.
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Oh so many posts since last night!!! Sorry that some of you are having pain & such troubles.
Mikarae, I sent you a PM about medical ins. Dune, I'm so sorry you're in pain. As DLB says, you must try to get in front of the pain & not chase it. I've been there, I was never one to take something until I had to. Now I've learned that is too late.
KCM, I hope your tummy troubles are temporary, hope it's better by morning. Syrmom, good luck with your tests, fingers crossed.
Sorry, my mind is gone, I can't remember who else posted here.... chemo brain never goes away!! Hope for a painless weekend for everyone. Cheers, Dee
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- Seriously dune sleeper and Linda some people get into this profession because they like power. I'm a psychiatric sw and there are lots of those types out there but there are good ones too. Either of your drugs are addictive Linda......so that's silly. In fact, 50 mg of Zoloft is the tiniest of doses. Seraquel can have some side effects that bear looking into but u also take the tiniest amt of that too!!!
- Why are these numbers here? Anyway, Xanax is perfectly fine but it is addictive. If you find you are taking more than one whole mg per day just switch to Klonopin. Same kinda med, much less addictive.
- We deserve happy healthy lives with the least suffering possible. I'm sorry you got the"mean girls" of our profession. Happy weekend!!!!!
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I meant neither of your drugs are addictive Linda!!!!!!
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Woke up with normal pain today, but I'm already back in bed. I think it was just so exhausting dealing with that intensity of pain all day yesterday. I guess that's why I want more sleep. Hugs.
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Cuz she is an asshole dune sleeper. Answering why does she make me feel like scum. Same amt since 1981 and it prevents suicidality? No well thinking dr would change that. None. I've been in the business of trauma and addiction for thirty eight years. I'm old. I've seen a lot. She is typically a small minded unhappy human who gets off on feeling superior to her clients. She is not. Same as you and me
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Thanks Valerie. I was thinking the same thing. I kind of feel sorry for her. She certainly can't be happy in her work. Sheesh!.
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Thanks Valerie. (I understood what you meant lol) And yes I agree with you, there are some very good shrinks out there, namely mine. But I did "shop around" until I found her 6 years ago and glad I did.Linda
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KCM, re tummy troubles. In a word YES! The stuff I had to drink was called Redi-Cat 2 and was "berry smoothie" flavored. Had my CT Tuesday, still having some tummy issues as of yesterday. The D after drinking it was so bad I was concerned as to whether or not I was going to make it through the CT and MO consult. Made it, clenching all the way!Hope you are feeling better for your class today (or was it yesterday?). Sure love those photos from down under!
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OMG jobur! That sounds miserable, horrible, just plain wrong. Why do they give you stuff that gives you the dire rears when you have to go into a CT machine and consult with a MO? Oh gosh!!!!
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gg - hugs
Freebird - oh girl i hope you decided to call the Drs office yesterday about something stronger then zofran. Sorry I missed about your gs. Wow lot going on huh. So very sorry. The big A is hard. Take it easy. Rest relax. Keep some favorite liquids and foods to have around the house in easy reach. Keep hydrated and flush it out.
Kiwi. - love you nap pic. Lol too very funny. Laughter is great. Thanks for that one.
Syrmom - best luck to you on new tx mon. Let's us know. How it goes.
Dlb - hugs
Dune - aww pain sucks indeed. Glad today is better for you. Rest up. Yes being in all that pain plus the pain meds you are bound to feel worn out today. I agree your nurse pract sucks ! Find someone else and then report her. That was a lot of pain meds you had to take. Be careful please ! Maybe a pain mgmt interventional radiologist might help. Maybe sonething surgically that can fix it ? Constant pain will put anyone in depression. We def gotta get this pain under control.
Dlb - so interventional radiologist went in and froze a tumor off my spine that was pressing and locking 2 bones. I thought it was going to be easier procedure. However they went in to my spine thru my right side. All the way across the muscle. That muscle has been spasm like crazy. But it's part of recovery. I have no pain in my spine even when I press on it. So very hopeful this fixs the pain. I am ready to have some life beyond the chair / couch back. Woo hoo.
Hey to all I missed. Last night was horrible but today I am feeling better again. Sweet.
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Ladies,Who prescribes your sleep or/and depressions meds? Sleep has been sparse again lately and I have been pretty far down the dark hole since dx. I see my mo monthly, but although I have mentioned being extremely depressed, I get no suggestions. I'm trying to get counseling, but was not able to get an appointment until March.
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Dune,You are funny, the dire rears indeed! It is part of the CT procedure to drink 2 big bottles of the stuff before CT. The real kicker is that I only had the CT because my insurance would not approve the PET my MO wanted. 2 days later, the PET is now magically approved!
I'm glad you are in less pain today. I agree, pain really wears a person out! Hope you have a nice restful day.
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jobur - your mo should have stop and talked to you seriously. Maybe try your gp? Do not wait until march ! Call the counseling place back mon and tell then just what you said " being extremely depressed ". They should get you in ASAP. Depression is a very real thing many people here deal with due to circumstances esp pain. Don't wait Til March. Ok ?
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jobur,
Anti-depressants were prescribed by a psychiatrist. My medical center provides all cancer patients with a referral to a psych who specializes in cancer patients (it's just a referral, your choice to go). My mo prescribed Ativan, at my request (I rarely take it, but like having it on hand). Is there a patient navigator or social worker who you can speak to about depression? Many centers have them available to help patients deal with all the things that impact our lives due to cancer. I have been on Effexor since my stage IV dx and would be loathe to give it up. Take care.
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Caryn and Patty, Thanks for your replies. My nurse navigator is the one who helped me get the March appointment. My MO would probably prescribe something for me if I knew what to ask for, but I really haven't a clue other than what I read here. Currently without a gp.Patty, just have to comment on the procedure you just went through, sounds pretty awful. I do so hope it pays off and gets you off the couch! You have been through a lot lately and you always manage to sound so darn perky, I really admire your spirit!
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jobur. - aww thanks !
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Anytime, jobur! Anti-anxiety meds, to be taken as needed, are probably fine for an mo to prescribe, but I would definitely go to a psych for anti-depressants. They, generally, need to be taken daily and, in my case, I was started on a lower dose and moved up to a therapeutic dose over time.
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Just checking in. You all make me feel normal. Just spent the week in bed while on Xeloda after having a great time in Cabo with my kids. It's all too much. I HATE BEING SICK! I'm going to be a drop out loser on this chemo. Can't do it. Don't want to do it! Want to live my life and enjoy what I have. I skipped the last 2 doses and feel guilty as hell. Feel like I'm giving up, cheating my kids by giving in to this cancer! Such a mind game! I have an appt this next week and tumor marker check. Think I will put off any decisions about Xeloda till then. For now, I'm done and need to get out of this darn bed
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Romansma: I really understand the Xeloda...That was giving me when I was first dx in April 2014 (April Fools Day)...any how...I cont on it till June...It caused me to be very sick after the first round..which caused me to have a Perforated Bowel..which lead to a emergency surgery...and a colostomy bag later...I almost died April 28th 2014....The diarrhea was very toxic to my bowels..I have a history of Diverticula...I cont it while I was hospitalized and in a hospice care center for a mth..Then I finally told my OC that I refuse to take it ...because to me that was not living...I was in bed and nothing stayed in me..So They found another treatment plan...That drug for some is Toxic...
Well I made it through my 3 days of the (Red Devil) A.....I feel 100 % better...I finally got out to see the grandboys today...
My daughter and son in law...got approved for there new House to move in to...I am so excited..it's beautiful...a palace compared to where they were at...they were experiencing black mold...just terrible...so they move next weekend...Have something to look forward to help with ...decorating...Well going to make my lasnagna for Super bowl...my friend of mine whats me to meet his new GF...I don't know why...I must be important to him...
Everyone have a great day...Sunny in Idaho today...Love you all Carla
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