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Pain can affect
you in many ways. It can keep you from getting sleep, being active,
eating and enjoying family and friends. Pain can make you feel scared,
depressed, or anxious.
Cancer pain in particular can be unpleasant and cause discomfort or
soreness. Pain may happen suddenly (called acute pain) or continuously
over a period of time (called chronic pain). And some pains are not
the result of your cancer. Pain can come from your treatment (chemotherapy,
radiation, surgery) from a tumor pressing against bone, nerves, or
body organs, or from conditions unrelated to cancer (headaches, arthritis,
muscle strain).
Don't believe the myths about pain medication.
Myth 1.Only take pain medication when you have severe
pain. False.
Facts. Do not wait to take
medication until the pain becomes bad. Pain is easier to control when
it is mild than when it has become severe. Take pain medicine regularly
just as your doctor or nurse tells you.
If you are in pain, alerting your doctor or nurse right away; and
getting help sooner rather than later, often makes pain treatment
more effective. Most cancer-related pains can be controlled with medicines,
surgery, radiation therapy or other treatments. Remember; early treatment
of pain is almost always more effective than waiting until the pain
is severe or unbearable. When you have less pain, you are more likely
to be active and interested in doing the things you enjoy.
There are many medicines used to treat cancer pain. Your doctor may
prescribe one or more of the following drugs for different kinds of
pain.
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Opioids
(derived from opium) such as morphine and codeine can be prescribed
for moderate to severe pain. These can only be obtained with your
doctors prescription. Sometimes they are combined with non-opioids
to manage moderate pain. |
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Non-opioids
(that is, drugs not derived from opium or opiates)
are often used for mild to moderate pain. Many of these drugs (acetaminophen's
and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen)
are available without prescription. |
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Antidepressants
and anticonvulsants are often used for the tingling
and burning pains associated with cancer. These drugs can only be
obtained by prescription. Taking them does not mean you are suffering
from depression or convulsions. |
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Steroids
(such as prednisone) are particularly effective for pains caused by
swelling. These are available only with a prescription. |
Most of these
medicines are available in pill form. In some cases, however, they
may be given in other forms, particularly if you are having difficulty
swallowing. You should ask your doctor whether you can take some medicines
as rectal suppositories, patches placed on the skin, or by injection.
There are also some non-medical treatments for relieving pain that
you can do yourself. Some relaxation exercises you may want to try
include: |
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Slow, rhythmic, breathing. |
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Simple touch, massage or warmth
(heat packs). |
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Focussing on peaceful memories
or things you would like to do. |
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Listening to music. |
| These should never
be used in place of medications your doctor has
prescribed for you, but along with them. Sometimes
these activities can help release tension or anxiety you may have
built up your condition. They can help you feel more in control of
your body. |
Myth
2.Pain medications are addicting. False .
The facts. People do not get high on pain medication,
and it is not addictive. |
Myth
3. Over time, the medication will stop working. False.
The facts. The medication never stops working,
but sometimes your body will get used to it and develop what is called
a tolerance for it. It this
occurs, your doctor may increase your dosage, prescribe a different
drug, or use a combination of drugs.
Perhaps the most important thing you can do to relive your cancer
pain is to have a pain control plan that you share
with your doctor and nurse. Together, you can come up with a program
of when to take your medicines, how and when to take extra medicines,
how to treat potential side effects, and other things you can do to
ease or prevent pain. But don't forget this is a trial-and-error process.
For some people,the first pain control plan does not work, and they
need to make adjustments.
To help your pain medicine work best, be sure to take it on a regular
schedule and as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip a dose or wait
for the pain to get worse before taking your medicine. The goal is
to prevent pain. Once you are feeling the pain,
it is more difficult to get it under control.
You may want to keep a record of how your pain medication is working,
so that you can discuss it more fully with your doctor. There are
many different medicines and treatments that an be used to conquer
pain, so you and your doctor should discuss what is working for you
and what is not. Together, you will find the pain medicine that will
help you the most.
Of course, like all medicines, pain medications can have unpleasant
side effects. You may or may not get the following. |
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Constipation. |
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Nausea and vomiting. |
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Sleepiness. |
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Slowed breathing. |
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Dizziness. |
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Rashes. |
If you experience
any of these after taking pain medication, you should contact your
doctor immediately. In many cases, these symptoms will only last for
the first day or two you are taking the medication.
For constipation, you are encouraged to drink lots of liquids and
to eat more fruits and vegetables.
Some patients will have pain that cannot be relieved with medicines.
In these cases, pain can be reduced through radiation therapy (to
shrink a tumor), nerve blocks (to block the pain at a nerve source),
neurosurgery, or surgery.
Myth 4. It is better to live with pain than to complain
too much. False.
The facts. Controlling pain is an important part of your care,
so you should always tell your doctor or nurse when you are feeling
pain. It is not a weakness to discuss your pain with your health,
care partners. Relief from pain will give you more energy to fight
the cancer and live your life.
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