A new series of oral medications for chronic (cancer) pain relief.

This new program of pain medication provides more even pain relief, avoiding the peaks and valleys of the traditional injections. Patients remain lucid, slightly euphoric, and pain free--even from deep pain. The family is capable of coping and treating the patient in their home, without having to contend with anger, hostility, and frustration. The patients are cooperative, not as demanding, and for the most part, are able to verbalize freely about their impending death to family members and friends in such a manner that when death does occur, it is peaceful . We have not encountered any addiction/habituation problems. We have not experienced any failures as long as the patient could take the oral medication. With continuous examination and evaluation, we have avoided any adverse drug reactions by tailoring the cocktail to the patient's needs and responses on a continuous basis. When changing from injections or other medications to the cocktail program, or when changing from one cocktail to another, the patient is assured that the old medication is available on demand. Should a patient become anxious or fearful that his cocktail will not always work, he is assured that there are others that will. A pain-free patient relieves the anxiety of the family, an important and welcome fact to be considered. By monitoring such factors as dosage, volume, taste, texture, and color, as well as offering other flavoring (cinnamon, lemon, cherry), we have not experienced any patient refusal. Once on the program, their self-respect is regained and their personal pride and sense of well-being are reestablished.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)