A couple of problems...

[C~Q]

Hey guys, so some of you know that DP has cancer and is in a lot of pain, which unfortunatly I got to see a lot this week when i've been staying with him Mostly it's a pain he can handle but occasionally (varies but usually a couple of times an hour) he gets a sharp, stabbing pain in his ear.

The main thing that he is struggling with though is no sleep. He falls asleep easily but gets woken up by the stabbing pain, because of the adrenaline rush from the pain he finds it hard to get back to sleep. This happens about three times a night, he thinks that he never gets more than about 4 hours of sleep at a time.

He's tried painkillers and most of them wear off after about 4 hours excpet Oxycotin but when he has that he's a total mess the next day and can barely speak coherently so he doesn't want to take it. Sleeping tablets also work but only for about 4 hours again

So...any advice, i'm trying hard to come up with some ways to help him deal with his tiredness but i'm drawing a blank.

Anything, anyone??

[HotI]

Seeing a pain specialist is probably the best way of dealing with it. They can help with both drug and non-drug treatments.

[Mother Goose]

What other pain meds has he tried CQ? Endep is a great one but it can leave you feeling a little hung over the next day.

What about meditation? Hypnosis? Has he tried acupuncture?

[C~Q]

Thanks Kate, I didn't realise there was such a thing as a pain specialist, i'll check it out thanks!

I'm not sure what else he has tried, i'll ask. He is a Yoga master and he does meditate, I think thats how he gets back to sleep, I think what he needs is something to stop him feeling the painthat wakes him...but i'm not sure if there is anything that will stop pain like that

Would the acupuncture help with the pain?

[Mother Goose]

acupuncture might. It depends. But it's worth a shot!

And yes, there are Chronic Pain Specilaists out there. His Dr should be able to refer him to one. They are usually attached to big public hospitals.

[kawazuki]

yes a pain specialist is a good move.
or his specialist who is treating his cancer should be able to help him..

does he have wax blocking his ear?
maybe some olive oils drops at night prior to bed to help reduce pressure which may add to the pain.

[C~Q]

I don't think so...he usually pulls out some pretty grim looking stuff out most nights bleugh

He's currently putting Grapefruit seed extract in his ear to try and kill the cancer, plus injecting B17. Also huge amounts of Vit A. He got this new book for xmas which has a new take on it all...cancer curing by gtting rid of all the parasites in your body and also mould and copper for some reason. It's got a 21 day treatment/diet guide so he's getting all the stuff together and getting ready to start that...something about some stuff called Lugol Solution??