Hip replacement ~ bone mets & pain management

lam

Has anyone had to have a hip replacement due to their bone mets?  I don't know yet for sure if this is going to be what I have to do but all things point in that direction.  I am still feeling sick to the stomach dealing with the bone met diagnosis and have so much to learn about what the treatment options are etc.  Also, while I await to learn the facts and decide what to do I am having to use a pain patch (fentanyl) to help manage my pain.  I find it makes me nauseous and gives me terrible heartburn.  I cannot tolerate Vicodin at all.  Does anyone have any suggestions other than these two that helped allieviate pain without too many severe side effects?  

33skidoo

Iam, you might try reposting this to the Stage IV forum.  There are people there who have had hip replacements.  Fitztwins comes to mind.  

Pain med side effects vary from person to person.  Sometimes they are problematic for the first few days until you adjust to them.  Contact your doctor and get a prescription for something else if you are still having problems.  I have done best with MS Contin for my hip pain (no hip replacement yet).  And I do  have heartburn from the ridiculous amount of meds I have been taking.  I was prescribed Nexium, which does help.  Or you could try a proton pump inhibitor that is over-the-counter.  Remember to check for drug interactions.  One of them reacts with on of my cancer meds, can't remember which ones.

ibcmets

Les,

I've done well on Zometa for bone mets for almost 3 years now.  I'm also on Femara for ER+ and have had to deal with joint pain, but still stable.  I had to take something a bit stronger than Prilosec for major heartburn and have to continue taking it even almost 3years after chemo.  Ask your onc about it.  My onc has helped a lot with SE's.

Terri