Pain is an issue for all of us at (most) times during treatment. I've taken the usual assortment of painkillers on offer and they all work on me. They come on slowly and then wear off and I try to hurry home (if I'm out which is usually the reason I take a painkiller).The last 2 weeks I've had a patch put on me and it's lifted my mood. It's stopped me crying whenever I'm alone AND has taken all my (physical) pain away.I didn't ask for it. It was put on me by my radiologist who knew what was coming up next (lots of blisters).Has anyone else been given pain patches?I'm wondering why I wasn't offered them earlier and saved myself 12 months of tears (I have been seeing a cognitive therapist).Am I getting better or is the patch tricking me into feeling good? I'm worried about returning to my teary emotional self once the patches are ceased.I don't see my therapist until next month.

There is all sorts of interesting research into pain medications going on at the moment. Sadly, it appears some of them can actually make you more sensitive to pain if you take them for extended periods--which is a no win situation for those of us with chronic pain. I do know that much as I enjoyed it, codeine wasn't a good choice for me. When it wore off, I'd have the miseries big time. I used to take 30mg maybe once a week to give myself some relief if I'd over done things. It worked a treat, but 6-8hrs later I felt worse than before I took it. Go figure.I'm thinking of pushing past my GP now and getting some specialist advice. The issues I've had for ten years will never go away, and a combination of treatment side effects and aging mean that I'm developing a whole new suite of 'ouch;'Pain Australia www.painaustralia.org.au is a good place to find 'proper' information about the meds you are taking. It's not an easy website to navigate, but you might find some useful things on there.Mxx

Hi @Zoffiel, like you I too have suffered chronic pain for many years, I have been to a pain management clinic for 18 months and have learned several strategies to put in place, all of which I am sure you are aware so wont go into, I am on 20mg kapanol at night slow release, and then I have oxynorm immediate release 5mg for breakthrough pain, stress makes the pain even worse, I have also know what I am able to do and not able to do and if I over do then I know that I will suffer, so where to from here, I take the breakthrough pain relief when needed and it does make a difference, to my pain, which in turn makes a difference to how I feel and my mood, for me its all about learning and understanding my body, I have a great GP who understands all of this, but no one should have to suffer chronic pain, its all about whats best suited for the individual on a physical and emotional level, I will not be a martyr and have learned that when needed I WILL TAKE my tablets - getting specialist advice is a good idea,thats their area of expertise so will get you on the right track.wendy55

My GP believes that pain and mood can interact, so low mood can make pain feel worse, and vice versa. Chronic, ongoing pain can have a huge impact on mood, so it makes sense that now you've got the pain under control , your mood would be lifting. Take care

Today I discovered that my pain patch is usually prescribed for junkies who can't make it the chemist shop for their daily dose of methadone. Each one lasts a week and you get 2 in a pack, so there's one trip per fortnight...There is an 'elevation of mood' as a side effect, lol. Best side effect ever.I've got 2 patches left.So instead of crying I've been cooking and eating.Sweating is out of the question because it stings so much on the affected area so no visits to the horse.I don't even feel anxious about that.@Joannie the only thing I'm slightly anxious about is starting on Arimidex any day now (the script is in my bag!).Even if it's fake happiness I can learn from this and have changed some of my behaviours already.

Hi PatsyN - I've been taking Arimidex for seven years and the side effects have been unpleasant. (I've given a description in previous posts). Should you have unwelcome side effects don't hesitate to ask for the patches again. I tried these a few years ago but after a few days of alarming 'tripping out' (as the hippies called it) my doctor advised me to stop using them. I now rely on Panadol, coffee with friends and knitting for pain management. This discussion list is 'the best' and I thank BCNA for establishing a venue for sharing and discussion.

Pain/mood management | Online Network

Hopes_and_Dream
Member
7 years ago
Back again @PatsyN - there is another side effect to Arimidex (and an important one, so I’m surprised I forgot it!) and that’s loss of bone density. I’ve been having bone density scans for a couple of years due to early menopause. My left hip is a problem area and has deteriorated further since taking Arimidex. My oncologist said it’s not in the danger zone yet but I have started 6 monthly prolia injections. My next scan is in August so fingers crossed it hasn’t worsened.
All the exercise and calcium hasn’t made much difference to me but I know many of the ladies have had great success in reversing bone loss x
PatsyN
Member
7 years ago
@Hopes_and_Dreams - My first bone density scan is next Tuesday. After the frying I got from radiation I've been asked to not fall over because my ribs are so brittle. It was suggested that I look out for stones and things that I might trip over.
No one mentioned galloping a horse bareback down the beach (which is my plan).
My joints have been aching since day 1 of chemo, lol, so I can deal with that.
I've been thru menopause so hot flushes no big deal.
Putting on weight would be fantastic. My usual weight is 45 kgs which is too thin on a woman my age but at present I'm only 41 kilos.
But vaginal atrophy?
I'm afraid that's a dealbreaker.
I've still got the script in my bag...
Thanks so much for all your info.
I'm really hoping I won't even notice, it's been 12 months of pain already so I'm kinda used to it, I guess...
Sister
Member
7 years ago
@Hopes_and_Dreams What is fennel cream? I've never heard of it and a quick google just brought up food recipes!
Hopes_and_Dream
Member
7 years ago
@Sister I have a prescription for a fennel based cream from a compounding pharmacist. It is syringed to the vagina at night and helps maintain internal vaginal suppleness and moisture. The story goes it was used by ancient Egyptians as a natural remedy for this particular side effect of menopause.
My GP’s wife also had breast cancer so I am benefiting from much of his year long research to help her.
@PatsyN I would expect that an element of vaginal atrophy would be naturally occurring post menopause but yes, Arimidex does it’s best to suppress the oestrogen stragglers still being made in our bodies. I was concerned too but it is manageable and worth it to keep cancer at bay.
Talk to your GP about your concerns - there are all sorts of natural products which can help you.

Interesting side note - I had a full hysterectomy on Tuesday (uterus, tubes, ovaries and cervix)
and I haven’t had one hot flush since, not even at night?? Jane x
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
That is interesting @Hopes_and_Dreams. Were you expecting this side effect?
Hopes_and_Dream
Member
7 years ago
I didn’t really expect anything to change at all @kmakm . I figured my overies were dried up raisins already so removing them would make no difference at all :)
I only had a couple of flushes a night where I kicked the quilt off but nothing for the last 2 nights. Rather get none so let’s hope this continues!
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Hope so too. Bloody awful things :)

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