My Mom's Always Sleepy - Can someone help?

atpeace7 · New User Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

First off, my mom went from 4th stage lung cancer to the cancer being in remission. Praise God. She was suppose to have passed away 3 months ago. Her cancer tumor markers went from 600 to 6.

She's been on Tarceva (a chemotherapy pill). We also give her fresh vegetable juice, chito-san, Reishi mushrooms, Vitamin C powder (during the day), Co-Q10, Fish Oil, B-12, and a mixture of Calie's Organic Green powder.

I think the combo of chemo and herbs helped her, although I don't know which helped more.

Her pain was decreasing until a male nurse dropped her accidentally at the hospital causing a horrible fracture in her pelvic area. I know, it's strange: My mom survives cancer only to be dropped to the floor.

My question is this (and if anyone can help me I'll put them in my next movie!):

1) Even though the fracture has healed, she's still in pain and has to wear a 100 Fentinayl patch. I thought the pain from the cancer would diminish as the cancer tumors shrink?

Also, my mom is always sleepy. Is this the Fetinayl patch that's doing it?

Any help would be mucho appreciated.

I REALLY appreciate this forum and I've only seen posts from the kindest, sincere people on the planet. Imagine if the world were run by the people here! Smile

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1301

Atpeace,

Welcome to the community and sorry you had a reason to seek us out.

Ouch!! Like Stage IV isn't bad enough? Doofus nurse. I'm sorry that she is having pain.

Any strong pain-killers will cause sluggishness and sleepiness.

I am a little confused over your description of her pain. If she has no evidence of disease (NED), then is the pain strictly from her recovery from the broken hip? Did she have prior bone mets?

A little more information might help us help you.

Best wishes,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

atpeace7 · New User Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

Hi PB,

Yes, it's kind of puzzling. The doctors say it could still be a recovering fracture or remanants of the cancer.

But, it seems like Fentinayl is an overkill. Still she feels she needs the patches.

Just wondering if anyone went through the same thing where the cancer is decreasing, but the pain is still there?

Many thanks for your reply.

Have a great Easter!

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1301

Atpeace,

Hopefully someone will come along who has more pain info for you. My husband didn't have much pain at all, but then again no one dropped him either! Shocked

She may need to be weaned onto something lighter for pain control, but if she is hurting it's best to stay ahead of the pain.

Give the members some time. It could be slow with the Holiday.

Happy Easter to you also!
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Tera · Senior User Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 187

Your mom went from a Stage IV to remission, that is awesome. Then to be dropped....bless her heart. As if she hadn't already had to deal with enough!

I wonder......could it be the pain patches are kind of a security net for her? As for sleepiness, pain meds can relax you to where you can rest. Or it could be from all she has been through, maybe she's just tired and worn out and needs to build her strength back up.

helensgirl

Hi,
WOW!!!! Stage IV to remission--that's incredible! Sounds to me like a certain nurse needs to be sued...but I'm not really in love with people in the medical field right now--long story for later, but suffice it to say that I'm convinced that my mother's treatment was responsible for ending her life. Anyway, no matter where the pain in your mom is coming from, she must feel that she needs the patches, and those things made my mom extremely drowsy...she wanted to sleep most of the time. Best of luck with your mom, and take care. God bless, Kim
_________________
...keeping the faith in n.c.
Helen, my wonderful mom, diagnosed May, 07
fought-stage 4 NSCLC, (adenocarcinoma)
earned her place in Heaven, Dec. 14th, 07

phxkross · New User Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

AtPeace7,

This fentanyl patch question is right up my alley.

My mother was diagnosed with chronic back pain a little over seven years ago and prescribed the fentanyl patch. She was just weaned off of it about six months ago after falling into a very deep depression.

I believe that there are certainly cases where a strong drug like fentanyl is appropriate, lord knows I hate to see folks suffering unnecessarily (why should they when there is pharmaceutical assistance?), however, the benefits must outweigh the cost. (I personally think fentanyl is evil and overprescribed)

See if your mothers doc can manage her pain in a different way and see if the old gal perks up! Laughing

Mine did.

Kenny
_________________
Kenny Young
Phoenix AZ
Mother diagnosed NSCLC / Stage 2 / Lobectomy Performed

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