Has your doctor mentioned radiation treatment? That was the first course of action for me, although your dad was diagnosed at a higher stage than me so maybe surgery is the only option. I received 14 rounds of radiation and it took all back pain away. I had three disks completely cancerous and spine was pressing on cervical nerve..felt like a band of pain around the two sides of my back, standing was the only way to relieve it, but with the radiation, Zometa, dex, and now starting chemo, I don't need any pain relievers.
And yes have him look into the VA because even with the best insurance this can be a financial burden. And being a vet, he deserves all the the help available to him.
God Bless
Forums
Re: Pain management for someone newly diagnosed with myeloma
I am currently on Methadone. It is normally used to get drug addicts off of narcotics. I take it twice a day and it does not cause me any issues. But you have to wean off of it if you take it for a long time. But since I have spine pain from the fractures to my vertebrae, I will never be off of this medication. The dosage has not increased in several years, and it is well tolerated.
You don't get "high", or loopy. The doctor started me out on 10 mg dose in 1999 after I hurt my back. I have been on it prior to my myeloma diagnosis. This is a pain medication that is rarely used but works well without the issues of other opium based medication.
I hope this will help.
You don't get "high", or loopy. The doctor started me out on 10 mg dose in 1999 after I hurt my back. I have been on it prior to my myeloma diagnosis. This is a pain medication that is rarely used but works well without the issues of other opium based medication.
I hope this will help.
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Mary Degenkolb - Name: Mary Degenkolb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Pain management for someone newly diagnosed with myeloma
Has radiation been considered? My dad had radiation to two spots on his spine which took the pain away very quickly. He also had kyphoplasty surgery at the same time as having chemo. If an orthopedic surgeon has not been consulted, I would suggest doing that.
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MMdaughter - Name: MMdaughter
- Who do you know with myeloma?: dad
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Pain management for someone newly diagnosed with myeloma
Was on Vicodin and Oxycontin and fentanyl patches. For a month finally after a long talk with doctor decided on radiation. Had 12 sessions and by the 4th one I was able to stand up by myself. Before that husband had to help me get up from a chair and out of bed. By end of the 12th session I was almost my old self. No pain meds in over a year. I have been on Revlimid/Dex since I was diagnosed almost 2 years ago.
Also, multiple myeloma is an illness that the VA says is caused by Agent Orange. So have him get in touch with them and file a claim.
Also, multiple myeloma is an illness that the VA says is caused by Agent Orange. So have him get in touch with them and file a claim.
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morrow1022
Re: Pain management for someone newly diagnosed with myeloma
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. It now has been one whole month since my dad's diagnosis. I am currently trying to help my dad file a claim with the VA now, but it has been rather difficult because he is often in so much pain that going to the VA to file the claim is impractical, so I'm trying to do it via online. The last 2 weeks have been very difficult emotionally because my dad has been re-hospitalized due to the pain he is experiencing in his back which is unbearable.
The doctors say he has compression fractures and that is what is causing the pain. They spoke of doing some surgery, but I'm unclear on the details, but they eventually said his heart is considered to weak to do the procedure. He has been in the hospital all weak and is hardly able to walk. My sisters and I are worried what will happen when he comes home and dealing with care giver issues if he cannot properly support himself to go to the bathroom, etc. The nurse is helping us get a hospital like bed delivered-paid by the insurance, but we are trying to figure out other things as well such as day to day care since we all work full-time jobs and I'm a full-time graduate student too.
Friday, they are stopping the Velcade treatment and switching to something else which we will find out then. Zometa is being considered, but we have to wait until he sees the dentist to get approval. Trying to be optimistic about the situation because of the remission stories I have read on here & I know it takes time, but I'm just wondering at 64 years old will my dad eventually get better.
The doctors say he has compression fractures and that is what is causing the pain. They spoke of doing some surgery, but I'm unclear on the details, but they eventually said his heart is considered to weak to do the procedure. He has been in the hospital all weak and is hardly able to walk. My sisters and I are worried what will happen when he comes home and dealing with care giver issues if he cannot properly support himself to go to the bathroom, etc. The nurse is helping us get a hospital like bed delivered-paid by the insurance, but we are trying to figure out other things as well such as day to day care since we all work full-time jobs and I'm a full-time graduate student too.
Friday, they are stopping the Velcade treatment and switching to something else which we will find out then. Zometa is being considered, but we have to wait until he sees the dentist to get approval. Trying to be optimistic about the situation because of the remission stories I have read on here & I know it takes time, but I'm just wondering at 64 years old will my dad eventually get better.
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kimble2 - Name: Mellissa
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Dad
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/14
- Age at diagnosis: 64
Re: Pain management for someone newly diagnosed with myeloma
Mellissa,
In my case I had I did not have any really bad bone lesions for fractures but lots of pain. Getting the myeloma under control with Velcade and Dexamethasone eliminated my back and rib pain. I did not have to use pain killers until I developed neuropathy a few months later. It can take some time for the drugs to work and hopefully they will for your father.
If your father is a Vietnam Veteran, meaning that he served in the Vietnam area of operations and was not just in the military during the Vietnam war, his myeloma will automatically be considered to be a result of Agent Orange exposure, he does not have to prove he was actually exposed to Agent Orange. This is by Congressional law.
If you are having trouble going through the process with the VA there are VA recognized patient advocates in most communities who understand the process and will help you go through it. Search for them on the internet. If you have trouble finding them contact your local veterans organizations. They are very familiar with this and can get you into contact with the right people to help you with the VA.
In my case I had I did not have any really bad bone lesions for fractures but lots of pain. Getting the myeloma under control with Velcade and Dexamethasone eliminated my back and rib pain. I did not have to use pain killers until I developed neuropathy a few months later. It can take some time for the drugs to work and hopefully they will for your father.
If your father is a Vietnam Veteran, meaning that he served in the Vietnam area of operations and was not just in the military during the Vietnam war, his myeloma will automatically be considered to be a result of Agent Orange exposure, he does not have to prove he was actually exposed to Agent Orange. This is by Congressional law.
If you are having trouble going through the process with the VA there are VA recognized patient advocates in most communities who understand the process and will help you go through it. Search for them on the internet. If you have trouble finding them contact your local veterans organizations. They are very familiar with this and can get you into contact with the right people to help you with the VA.
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Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
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