Help for Mom

[hhjb52]

My mother has lost over 100 lbs. She was thought to have pancreatic cancer but a fine needle biopsy could not prove this. She had chemo & radiation to shrink a tumor on her pancreas. She had a stent put in her bile duct. She had colonocopy & endoscopy, no cancer found. She has a pain patch and on oxycondone as needed. She has a lot of pain in stomach and has nausea. Tried Metrclopramide 10 mg, & Prochlorperazine 10 mg. No help to her. My mother is 76 yrs old. and we are at our wits end. doctors have seemed to give up. She visited teaching hospital doctor 3 weeks ago, who did physical exam and I brought him film of CT scan. The Doctor has not gotten back us. Our main concern is the nausea, what can we do for here? Could it be her gall bladder? it has troubled her for years. Also I bought  LVR-C3 from Tv ad, ingredients are Picroliv, Dismodium, Silymarin standard extract, certified organic Fringe Tree, Chamolie Standardized Extract, Ginger Stand Extract, Bioperine Standardized Extract, Can she take this? it is supposed to clean liver and gall bladder. As you can see we are trying everything.! Please help if you can. I almost forgot  although no cancer found she had chemo & radiation to shrink tumor. Thank you for your help.  From Long Island New York

[georgie439]

Did your mom have any other syptoms??  And did anything show up on her cat scan??  I'am so sorry for your lose, and to bother you with these questions,  also is there any reason why they didn't do whipple if they suspected the cancer??
Please I'am sorry to ask this of you???

[manisskeeter]

my mother also had a tumor in her pancreas and lost over a hundred pounds. she had 3 fine needle biopsys come back negative. they werent getting the right spot. (excuse the spelling) when they went in to do her whippel surgery they found out she had stage 3 pancreatic cancer. she was 48. she lived for 1 year and 7 months after that with countinued chemo and i think 2 rounds of radiation. how long did you say you mom had been sick. mine was sick for 2 years before being dx. hope they figure out what is wrong with your mom.

[myproblem]

Natural treatments aren't a bad idea, but remember that if they're potent enough to make a difference in her condition, they are as risky as conventional drugs. In other words, you first of all need to let her Dr. know what you are giving her in case of any interactions with traditional meds. she's taking. Also, be aware that side effects are just as likely with natural meds. As far as conventional treatments, having her gall bladder removed is one option, unless she's too ill for surgery. There are also several choices for antinausea drugs. Ask her Dr. what else is available.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

This sounds like a difficult situation.  A comprehensive evaluation has already been performed.  Further testing with a gastric emptying scan can be considered.  

Other medications to try if the results remain non-revealing can include Zofran to be used on an as needed basis.  

If the gallbladder is of concern, an ultrasound can be considered for evaluation.

I would not recommended herbal therapies - there is no consensus data suggesting that they work.

I would discuss these options with your personal physician - or in conjunction with another opinion.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b