Pain relief options for my mum - She's having palliative radiotherapy for hypopharyngeal cancer and having pain in her ear and throat

Currently my mum is only taking paracetamol for ear and throat pain. She has hypopharyngeal cancer and is having palliative radiotherapy. She cannot take ibuprofen as advised by her gp a while ago.

We will be seeing the head and neck cancer specialist nurse on monday and will ask her this, but wanted some ideas ahead of time.

What would be the next step in pain relief?

Mum has had codeine several times in the past and couldn't stand the constipation side effects. She has also had amitriptaline and gabapentin for neuropathic pain in the past which she didn't like either. 

I know there are only so many options out there and she may need to take codeine, amitriptaline or gabapentin, but I wondered if any of you had been offered an alternative.

Thank you xx

  • I'm sorry to hear your mum is currently having palliative radiotherapy and that she is unable to take any ibuprofen to help with her ear and throat pain.

    I hope this information we have about treating cancer pain, including the different types of painkillers that may be available, will be useful but hopefully some of our members get back to you soon with their thoughts and advice.

    If at any point you would like to speak to one of our cancer nurses, they're available on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday (except the 24th - 26th December and New Year's Day) between 9a.m - 5p.m, and they will do all they can to assist you with this and any further issues that may occur.

    In the meantime, we're sending you all our support Lizk81 and wishing your mum all the best for tomorrow. I hope the head and neck specialist cancer nurse is able to provide your mum with the most effective pain relief and her treatment continues to go well.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator