Untreated Cancer Pain a ‘Scandal of Global Proportions,’ Survey Shows

[RiffRandell]

34. My husband had oral cancer and his drs were very generous

with pain meds. I can't say enough about how great they were. The treatment of oral cancer burns your throat and mouth so he needed a feeding tube. They started out low and would ask him or I would call and they would gradually change/increase them so by the end he was on the heavy duty stuff. That was almost 7 years ago, so maybe things have changed and that study seems to be addressing other countries (not that I can't empathize and think it's disgusting) but if any oncologist is being stingy I'd tell them to fuck off and see another doctor.

When someone is suffering a large amount of pain, they don't get a buzz off the drugs (unless they over-indulge) as they attack the pain. When my husband would take a new, stronger drug I remember him getting a buzz initially but it wore off pretty damn quick.

I have chronic pain myself and go to the pain clinic at my hospital and (knock on wood) never had a problem....if I did I could barely get out of bed in the morning.

Don't be afraid to ask doctors for meds! That's part of their job.

ETA: If someone is terminal, they shouldn't feel ANY pain.