Should I rat on friend with stage 4 cancer sneaking other painkillers?

[Catty1]

Joe is on morphine, and gets breakthrough shots in addition to the regular morphine.

He has been hooked on Tylenol 1's (the ones with codeine) for many years...was off them for a while, but his roommate sneaks them in to him.

He has had kidney problems too.

So - should I tell the hospital? Or since there is not a lot of hope, not bother?

Thanks for your opinion.

C

[Karen]

This is not something you should discuss with his doctor, but with him. Speak to him, and see what he says. This is a very private, personal matter, and none of us can give advice not knowing the particulars of his situation, diagnosis, projected outcome and medical condition, which is private anyway.

[beeniesmom]

I'd leave him alone. You said it... it's stage 4: at least he can get some extra relief.

[Catty1]

He was emptying the bottle into his fanny pack today, and had me stand in the doorway of his room in case someone was coming in. (ie, staff).

A few people have spoken to him, but he is not giving them up. He only cut down a few months ago because a good friend of his found out that prolonged use can hurt the kidneys...and he had been taking them for a decade or so.

But thanks for the answers...I won't say anything.

[pomtzu]

I'd definitely leave that one alone. Even tho your intentions may be good, it's really not your place to intervene, and you'd probably lose a friend in the process too.

[carole]

Yes Candace i am with every one else here, i would leave this one well alone, just be there for your friend for support and turn a blind eye.

[K9karen]

Ahem. I've never mentioned this before, but having been in monstrous spine pain for over 30 years, prior to surgery, I gobbled down anything the doctors would give me. If they refused, I got stuff elsewhere. People in agony, know other people in agony. Nobody dared to get in my face, whether or not they knew what I was doing. I limited myself to nighttime only in order to sleep (most of the time), but it did take me months to wean myself off anything. I have continuing problems and can barely walk, but I'm not taking anything but Alleve type stuff, although it doesn't help. Thank God I'm not in Joe's situation, but I'm glad you're not saying a word, Candance. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

[blue]

Not saying anything is probably the best plan.

[smokey the elder]

I agree. Pain is under-treated in the US, IMO.

[Asiel]

I agree with everyone else. For one thing his doctor is not going to appreciate the info and he's under patient doctor confidentiality so why not let the patient decide for himself. Pain is something everyone should be free to deal with in their own way.

[aTailOf2Kitties]

I see where everyone is coming from, but honestly I would be worried about unapproved meds interacting with the ones the Dr's know about.

[Karen]

I see where everyone is coming from, but honestly I would be worried about unapproved meds interacting with the ones the Dr's know about.

But if the man is stage four, and terminal - which only he and his doctor would know, frankly, why worry about long-term damage if he has no long-term?

[3Catcondo]

I agree w/ Karen completely, if he is terminal why bother, I would let him take what he feels he needs to be comfortable.

[Grace]

I agree - let him take whatever works for him.

As long as he is not stealing others meds.

[Daisy and Delilah]

I agree w/ Karen completely, if he is terminal why bother, I would let him take what he feels he needs to be comfortable.

There is really no reason, in my opinion, to not let him have what he wants to be as comfortable as possible. Poor guy. Bless him.:(

[Grace]

Do you know if he has been seen by the Pain Service? There are all sorts of pain relief options available. Has he tried Fentanyl patches?

[Kfamr]

I'd say let it be, cancer or no cancer.

[Queen of Poop]

Stage 4 is pretty bad. I'd leave him to what he's doing. If there was a chance he'd get better I might reconsider, but if he's not going to be with us for long, let him do what he needs to do.

Sorry for your situation.

[Catty1]

He's at the TB, Gayle.

Smoked all his life, and never had a doctor or got a checkup.

What-if's are useless...but guys especially are bad for this.

Men - get smart and get checkups. Please.

[king2005]

He's at the TB, Gayle.

Smoked all his life, and never had a doctor or got a checkup.

What-if's are useless...but guys especially are bad for this.

Men - get smart and get checkups. Please.

I hear you on the men thing.. BUT things are changing. Many men my age & a little older are going to the Dr. for check-ups. I find it's the older men that are not going.

My grandpa is an example. I call him walking death :(

[Queen of Poop]

He's at the TB, Gayle.

Smoked all his life, and never had a doctor or got a checkup.

What-if's are useless...but guys especially are bad for this.

Men - get smart and get checkups. Please.

That'll be a frosty Friday when that happens. Some men will see the doctor, some won't. Head in the sand concept.

Hugs for you my dear for what you have to deal with. If you're in downtown Calgary we should get together for lunch one day as I go back to work there tomorrow. Take care, be supportive, its all you can do now.

[Asiel]

Do you know if he has been seen by the Pain Service? There are all sorts of pain relief options available. Has he tried Fentanyl patches?


In his shape he needs more than those patches. They barely take the edge off severe pain, doctors usually prescribe other meds along with the patch.