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Why have they switched hubby to methadone?

Fran4rr
Offline

Hi

mu husband was diagnosed with advanced oesophageal cancer in May this year and had chemo, spinal decompression surgery and radiotherapy. We were told last week that he will not receive any more treatment as the cancer has now spread to lymph nodes, stomach, spine, lungs and other bones. 

He is in pain most of the time and has been since January this year. He has had a syringe driver delivering Ozycodone and medazalam for 4 months now with the doses increasing all the time.

They have given him a prognosis of 3- 6 months (from diagnosis) and this week have put him on Methadone as well as the other meds he is on.

I am wondering if this means he does not have much time left? He has been in agony for months so I am wondering why he wasn’t given Methadone before if it is more effective for pain?

He is still managing to potter about on the days he gets home for a few hours (he’s been in a hospice since June), but he is quite weak and his appetite seems to come and go. 

Whilst I know he is approaching the end of his life I have no idea how long he has left and when I should start to prepare our children who are 10 & 13. He won’t talk about the prognosis at all and I am struggling more and more each day. For months I have watched him in constant pain, getting weaker and becoming very depressed. I have sat by his bed helpless and then each night I go home and have to act “normal” in front of the kids. 

I really don’t know how much longer I can keep going like this. I gave up my job to help care for him and have no other family around me. I feel so lonely and like I am starting to break. 

Does anyone else have experience of Methadone? Is it only used right at the end or could it be used long term? I know no-one can tell me exactly what to expect but I am so scared that I will have to continue watching him suffer for months and months. 

I am barely eating or sleeping and am exhausted now. I can’t let him or the kids see me upset so I cry in the car or when walking the dog. 

 

Sorry for the huge chat. I just needed to vent I think x

  • Offline

    Oh my ... 

    I think your first main problem is finding yourself some help ...  your not super human, just human ... and I can't imagine how you get through each day, without support and back up ..

    Now please give Marie Currie a ring .. go on their home page and call their number .. they are there for people with terminal diagnosis and their families... tell them your not coping mentally and you have two young children ... see if they have someone or some info where to go .. untill you help you, you won't be strong enough to help your hubby .. 

    There's nothing worse then seeing someone you love suffer ... you don't want to loose them, you just want him out of pain ..  so please don't feel sad that you just want it to stop .. he's probly feeling the same ... now I worked in a 're hab years ago .. and if I remember rightly methadone was used to ween them off drugs ... but can't help more then that .. ask Marie Currie, they will have much more info then me about it .. but if I were you, I wouldn't mind what he had if it helps ease the pain .. and hospices are the ones that try to control it as much as possible ...

    Please come on here and chat or vent .. as much as you like .. even writting everything down will help you ... ask at the hospice to .. tell them your not coping .. there's NO shame in that ... this is one of the hardest things you'll ever go through .. reach out to anyone who will listen ... take any help offered .. but you have to reach out , like you've done here .. 

    I'm here most days if you ever want to chat or vent .. and you know find somewhere safe and have a good scream / yell and cuss at everything .. that's what I do to reliece pressure ..  then get your wife / mum head on and call them ...  sending you a vertual hug... Chrissie  

  • Offline in reply to Chriss

    Hi 

    As Chriss has indicated you need to get some support behind you.

    Methadone is used in pallative care as a suitable pain control, if you have any concerns around why this was prescribed rather that the previous pain control - it well with making an appointment to see the person who prescribed this.

    There are a few articles on NHS websites around Methadone use in Pallative Care

    There are a few research papers(US) which suggest Methdone is the choice for pain control in some cases - depends on the type of pain 

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