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donnar's avatar
donnar
Member
11 years ago

Nerve Pain

Hello everyone, hope all is well. I'm keen to know if you have experienced nerve pain months after surgery, chemo or radiotherapy. Part of my chemo treatment was taxol and nerve damage can be a side effect. Also the surgery for an ancillary clearance. During all the treatment I endured quite a bit of pain ( must have a strong thresh hold but I think if I'm honest don't wish to ask for pain relief!) stupid isn't it?! I've been informed by my pain specialist that I have pereferal neorophathy ( wheres spell check when you need lol) I've been prescribed endone to use on occasion and slow release contin. I've heard about pain patches which I could wear during the day. I'm leaning more to the patches as the endone I need to be careful of as I drive as part of my job. It's strange, the more active I am I feel the pain so wait until I get home before taking pain relief. What's everyone's experience with this? I'd appreciate your feedback. I know we are all different so it'll be nice to hear what has worked for you. Cheers, Donna x
chemotherapy
radiotherapy
side-effects

6 Replies

  • donnar's avatar
    donnar
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hello lovely people, Bit of an update on managing this nerve pain I have as a result of chemo, mestectomy, exillary clearance and radiation. Since diagnoses ( coming up to 3 yrs now) it's seems to have gotten worse the more time has passed. Skin is tightening, some nerves may not repair. My GP put me on a low dose pain patch fentanyl (12 micrograms) which I chage every 3 days. Slow release which had helped a lot. I've needed at times break through relief & have oxynorm 10mg. The pain can come on quite suddenly and has made me lose colour ( family and friends comments) during all of this trial & error there is this guilt I feel asking for a narcotic. The doctors say their concern is that they can become addictive but what are you meant to do. I endured so much pain from surgery, had pandadols ( which were useless) so I think after enduring pain for at least 3 years I gave it a good shot. I'm catching up with my pain specialist in 2 wks and hope they will just let me have my patches and break through pain when required. But I get a lecture every time I'm discussing pain relief with specialists.. Thoughts anyone? Donna xx
  • donnar's avatar
    donnar
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Kathy, funny you should mention vitamin B I picked some up yesterday. b12 actually.. Well. The patches are working really well so far. In between I have break through medication if required which I needed last Friday night. Had the most agonising pains in my chest though during switch over of the patches. But overall they've really helped with lifting my mood. I'm not sure at this stage if this may be a long term solution but for now I'm pretty pleased. X
  • pisces_tas's avatar
    pisces_tas
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Donna, I read you said you have Peripheral Neuropathy. I have heard about Vitamin B, have you looked into that at all ? Best of luck. Kathy.
  • donnar's avatar
    donnar
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Sally & Kathy, Thanks for your messages. My pain specialist started me on lyrica 75mg ( pregabalin) felt like I was going through the after effects of chemo. We then tried neorontin 100mg ( gabapentin) and my reaction was similar. Felt that drowsy, nausea and dizzy effects just like chemo. My pain specialist has suggested I go back to my GP and try a few different things before we get it right. Today I was prescribed pain patches ( fentynal) the smallest dose. the chemist called my GP to check it was prescribed to me so a very controlled drug. It's a slow release that will last for 3 days. You get 5 patches in a pack. I'll let you know how I go. I'm very active and keep my weight under control. I'm thinking of meditation , relaxation stuff next. But when you have nerve damage it's just one of those things. Trying to manage it and not have the pain interfere with everyday things. It can get me down at times but what do you do? I'll keep you posted :) Donna xx
  • donnar's avatar
    donnar
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Sally & Kathy, Thanks for your messages. My pain specialist started me on lyrica 75mg ( pregabalin) felt like I was going through the after effects of chemo. We then tried neorontin 100mg ( gabapentin) and my reaction was similar. Felt that drowsy, nausea and dizzy effects just like chemo. My pain specialist has suggested I go back to my GP and try a few different things before we get it right. Today I was prescribed pain patches ( fentynal) the smallest dose. the chemist called my GP to check it was prescribed to me so a very controlled drug. It's a slow release that will last for 3 days. You get 5 patches in a pack. I'll let you know how I go. I'm very active and keep my weight under control. I'm thinking of meditation , relaxation stuff next. But when you have nerve damage it's just one of those things. Trying to manage it and not have the pain interfere with everyday things. It can get me down at times but what do you do? I'll keep you posted :) Donna xx
  • pisces_tas's avatar
    pisces_tas
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Donna, I too had pain after surgery. Taking pain relief is a good thing I think, in hindsight. It helps in the healing process. I also had some swelling issues, which could explain some things. Radiation, early menopause and sudden withdrawal of hormones, all might to adjustment physically and emotionally. I had scanning laser which I felt helped with softening scar tissue in axilla and chest wall. TIME has helped, gentle stretching also. Tai chi, reflexology on different areas, abdominal breathing, lying down with legs elevated slightly while slow breathing, water therapy, pacing yourself instead of trying to do all in one day. I do take small dose of Zoloft, which can help with perception of pain, I was told. Good luck with your treatments, Kathy.