Sherry,

Vent all you want, we will listen.
I believe you should take the pain pills regularly, as some of the others mentioned, to control the pain all the time. I had shingles last fall, five days after my dx, and I can really empathize with you on the pain. I still have residual numbness around my mouth occasionally.
I hope tomorrow finds you feeling better, both physically and emotionally.

All the best
Caya

you are not alone--and the statistics bear you out
 

1: Oncology. 2007 Jul 18;71(3-4):164-167 [Epub ahead of print]
Herpes Infections in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Adjuvant Chemotherapy.

Masci G, Magagnoli M, Gullo G, Morenghi E, Garassino I, Simonelli M, Santoro A.
Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Milan, Italy.
Objective: There is little information on Herpes zoster infection in breast cancer patients as a complication during adjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of Herpes zoster and simplex infections in this patients setting. Methods: We analyzed 623 early-stage breast cancer patients in our Institute over a period of 7 years (1998-2005). Four-hundred and sixty-onepatients were treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy, 116 with CMF and 46 with taxane-containing regimens. Results: Twelve (1.9%) developed herpes zoster; 9 patients, receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy, two taxane-containing regimens, and one CMF regimen. Herpes zoster infection required treatment delay in 6 patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy was delayed for 1 week in 2 patients, while in 4 patients with more severe symptoms chemotherapy was delayed for 2 weeks. One patient, despite i.v. acyclovir, had severe postherpetic motor neuropathy with a permanent ambulation impairment, and chemotherapy was stopped. In our study, herpes zoster occurred in 55/1,000 cases/year. The reported incidence in the general population varies between 2.2 and 4.1 per 1,000 patients/year; therefore, the risk of developing herpes zoster in these patients may be 13- to 25-fold higher compared to the incidence in the general population. In addition, 13 of 623 patients developed herpes simplex. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that adjuvant chemotherapy can facilitate reactivation of herpes infection. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.
PMID: 17641534 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Sherry,

I can totally sympathize with you about being in pain. I am in constant pain everyday. It is not related to my breast cancer. I had my cervical spine fused in 2002 and my entire lumbar fused in Dec 2005 and have been in pain ever since. I thought the surgery would alleviate not only the problems I was having that necessitated the surgery but that also it would take care of the pain. I couldn't have been more wrong. This has aggravated my side effects to both Herceptin and the Taxatore. I see a pain management doctor once a month. I don't like taking pills but if I didn't I would not be able to function. I take Lorcet four times a day sometimes when I'm having a really good day I only take them 2 or 3 times. I also have oxycodone for when my pain is extremely severe. I try not to take the oxycodone but every once in a while I really need it.

Sherry,

Wow, you are putting up with a lot. Wish we could all get together with our jammies on and support each other in person. You are wise to vent your frustrations here. This is not a burden you want to carry alone. I will pray that your pain starts to subside.

Keep searching for the meds that give you the most relief. Keep us posted on your feelings. I guess sometimes the people in our own homes, don't know how to help so they just "ignore?" We are here for you.

Hugs, Catherine

Dear Sherry, My husband has had good results from taking neurontin for his nerve pain. I have been on amitrypteline and a fentanyl durelgesic patch for the last 2 years for the nerve pain in my spine. I hate to be on so many meds, but I need them to have a quality to life. I will be praying for you. Blessings, Lu Ann.

Hi Sherry,

You have been in my thoughts - pain like you describe scares the heck out of me. I am always so cheered by your photo with your cute dog it's hard for me to imagine what you must be going through.

Have you gone to a pain specialist? Just a thought, sometimes they can come up with combos other doc's don't - everything is so specialized these days - and they can have cutting edge things that might work for you.

I wish for you pain free days a.s.a.p.!

Donna

Thanks all, I am making an appointment with a pain management specialist this week. AND..to top it off, I shampooed my little girls carpet and sat on the floor afterwards. I ended up with 2nd degree chemical burns on my butt..lol. Funny but just another added pain in the rear...lol...sherry

Oh, Sherry how nice to see your sense of humor intact!

Oh Sherry,

Chemical burns on your rear are definitely not funny BUT I laughed anyway. LOL LOL LOL!

Keep up the sense of humor through it all. It's what keeps us sane. LOL!

Mary Jo

Sherry,

I was hoping you posted an update. LOL- you will have to tell us how your doc takes the news that your hiney is burned.

Hope you get some pain relief this week.