update on information

[Guest guest]

I guess what is bothering me is why my neuro-oncologist is acting like " denying "

that I could have leg, knee, ankle, feet pain, when it is happening and he won't

acknowledge it or prescribe for it.

If anyone comes across any other informaiton about cancer, cancer pain,

medulloblasotoma (brain tumors) or anything similiar let me know. I was able to

find two other groups that could help me so far.

G/WI

.. Cancer pain and you

.. What is cancer pain

.. Causes of cancer pain

.. Quality of life issues

.. What to tell your doctor

.. Assessing cancer pain

.. ZAP® (Zero Acceptance of Pain)

Causes of cancer pain

The two most common causes of cancer pain are the cancer itself and the

treatments you receive to treat cancer.

The cancer itself. When cancer causes pain, some probable causes include the

pressure of a tumor on one of the body's organs or on bone or nerves. Sometimes

cancer can cause pain when blood vessels become obstructed by the tumor.

Cancer treatments. There are a variety of treatments for cancer and some of them

are less than pleasant. However, please remember that not all people being

treated for cancer experience ALL of the array of side effects of these

treatments. A side effect one person feels may never happen to another. It is

also very important to remember that many treatment-related side effects can be

successfully prevented in some cases, and treated if they occur. More

information about managing side effects is explained where each treatment type

is discussed.

Some examples of treatment-related pain include:

..

Chemotherapy can cause numerous side effects, depending in the medication being

used. Some of the more common side effects that cause pain include mouth sores

(mucositis), peripheral neuropathy (numb and sometimes painful sensations in the

feet, legs, fingers, hands and arms), constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

and abdominal cramps. Some people also experience bone and joint pain from

chemotherapy medications and from some medications used to offset the impact of

the chemotherapy on blood counts and on the risk of infection.

..

Surgical treatments will, in some instances produce pain after they are

completed. Your physician and nurse will provide medications and techniques to

help you manage surgery-related pain.

..

Procedures related to cancer pain, such as biopsies, blood draws, lumbar

punctures, laser treatments, etc. can cause pain

No matter what the cause, most types of cancer pain can be managed with drug and

non-drug therapies. However, cancer pain is not always adequately managed. While

competent health care professionals should assume that people with cancer will

need assistance to manage pain and ask you about it, if they do not, you or your

family members must speak up and insist on having your pain relieved. Some

physicians may not always prescribe the right medications or sufficient doses of

the medication. If this happens, ask for more assistance and, if you choose, ask

that a pain specialist work with you to develop a plan to manage your pain. Pain

specialists are physicians and nurses who are experts in the field of pain

management. For more information on finding a pain specialist, see What to tell

your doctor.