CyberKnife:
- No special drugs required to prepare for these procedures. So, unlike the brain CyberKnife, no longer require large dosages of dexamethasone.
- CyberKnife dates booked: Fri, Mon and tentatively Wed or Thu next week.
- Ever since I've been on regular pain drugs since this whole liver expansion problem started, I've had juggling problems between pain, constipation. Inability to eat properly because of the migraine surgical trigger point combined with constipation preventing digestion. etc.
- So, at first I was on individual pain meds...
- Then I was on 3 mg Hydromorph Contin, 2x / day (12 hr duration each)
- Then I was recently moved to 6 mg Contin, 2x / day...
- Well, they decided that I was having to take too much "breakthrough pain" because of my digestive problems preventing my being able to process my pills in a reasonable time period.
- So now I've been moved to the Patch for pain.Something called "Fentanyl 2.5 mcg that lasts for 72 hrs". Breakthrough pain meds continue to be Hydromorphone 2-3 mg as required, or Motrin (Imodium 300 mg) or Tylenol 500 mg.
- I wasn't going to mention this, but it was mentioned how tired I appeared lately. Part of that is a fear of going to sleep. Sleeping on one side, I get heartburn, the other side, I get heartburn. So that leaves my back. However, sleeping on my back to deep REM sleep causes mucus production, coughing and therefore lots of internal organ pain. No idea why.
- Fear is its related to my 12 lung tumors.
- I've started taking a sleeping pill "clonazepam (0.5mg)". In order to try to sleep through any problems Results are inconclusive at this time.
Shane
Don't know if this will help, Shane.
ReplyDeleteMight want to ask Kay or your doctors about it. Lots and lots of the pain medication you take will, as a side effect, relax the smooth muscles in your intestines. Fibre might help -and I don't mean tons of veggies. (Although that would be useful, I can't imagine how difficult they would be to get down if you are already having digestive problems.)
I've had to find my own solutions to a similar problem (different cause). I've discovered that two Tbsp of ground flax seed (I put it in cereal, but you could put it in a smoothy just as easily if you don't wait too long to drink it), coupled with lots of water should help on a few fronts. Tons of water soluble fibre, very easy to 'get rid of' and will soften stools somewhat, and should give the muscles something easier to cling to as they move things along. Also, high in components necessary to manufactury Omega 3 Fatty acids, which will help with brain function among other things.
Must drink lots of water, though. Might be an easy fix, an can't hurt to try for a day or two... Hope you find a solution.
Noella
Hi Shane.
ReplyDeleteA well written update, as always.
I like the understated way you just slipped in the 12 lung tumors. Smooth.
How is the patch working for you?