Introduction
Having cancer does not mean that you
have to live with pain. Cancer and some of the treatments for it can cause
pain. But most people who have cancer are able to manage their pain well.1
- Cancer pain can almost always be controlled. Only you know
how you feel and how much pain you have. Tell your
health care team what your pain feels like and what works and does not
work.
- Don't wait for pain to get bad. Your pain medicine will work
best if you use it when you first notice pain, before it becomes
bad.
- If you are taking pain medicine regularly for cancer pain, have a plan (and medicines on hand) for breakthrough pain. This is sudden and intense pain that can happen while you are already taking pain medicine.
- The risk of becoming addicted to pain medicines is
very small. Do not let this fear stop you from getting the pain relief you
need.
- Managing your pain can mean treating other problems, too. Uncontrolled cancer pain can lead to anxiety, sleep problems, or depression.
Sometimes
people try to live with their pain because they believe these common
myths:
Myth #1: Pain is just part of
cancer.
Myth #2: It is best to wait as long
as possible between doses of pain medicine.
Myth #3: Pain medicines work the
same for everyone.
Myth #4: Doctors are so busy. I
should not bother my doctor with my pain problems.
Myth #5: If I whine about pain, it
means I am weak. My doctor and family won't respect me if I am not tough.
Myth #6: If I take strong drugs like
morphine, I will become addicted.
Myth #7: If I take strong pain
medicine before I really need to, it might not help me when my pain gets
worse.
Test Your Knowledge
Opiate pain relievers are strong drugs that should be
used only as a last resort or when people are near death.
- True.
This answer is incorrect.Opiate pain relievers, such as morphine, are
effective for moderate to severe cancer pain. Many people use them for months
or even years for pain relief.
- False.
This answer is correct.Opiate pain relievers, such as morphine, are
effective for moderate to severe cancer pain. Many people use them for months
or even years for pain relief.
It is better to hold off as long as you can before you
take your pain medicine.
- True.
This answer is incorrect.Pain medicine works best when you take it as
soon as you notice any pain. If you wait until the pain gets bad, it may take some time to
get your pain back under control.
- False.
This answer is correct.Pain medicine works best when you take it as
soon as you notice any pain. If you wait until the pain gets bad, it may take some time to
get your pain back under control.
Continue to Why?
Cancer
pain can lower your quality of life if it is not treated. Untreated pain may
cause you to feel:
- Tired or depressed.
- Unable to
cope.
- Isolated or lonely.
- Stressed.
- Unable to
sleep.
- Worried or angry.
- Uninterested in
food.
Controlling your cancer pain can help you to:
- Be active.
- Sleep.
- Cope
more effectively with cancer and its treatment.
- Enjoy family and
friends.
- Eat with pleasure.
Test Your Knowledge
Cancer and cancer treatment should not prevent you
from being able to enjoy food and friends.
- True.
This answer is correct.One of the goals of cancer treatment is to
control your pain and discomfort so that you can maintain your quality of life,
including enjoyment of food and friends.
- False.
This answer is incorrect.One of the goals of cancer treatment is to
control your pain and discomfort so that you can maintain your quality of life,
including enjoyment of food and friends.
Continue to How?
Keep track of your pain and your treatments
Your
doctor needs all the information you can give about what your pain feels like.
Your doctor needs to know how your treatment is working or not working. It may
be easier to give your doctor information if you write it down. Use a daily
diary to
rate your pain. Write down what drugs you are taking
and how well they are working. Write down any other methods you are using to
control your pain.
Pay attention to the details of your pain so
you can tell your doctor. Is it burning? Throbbing? Steady? How long does it
last? Take your written information and your questions with you when you see
your doctor.
Use a calendar or a
pain control diary(What is a PDF document?) to keep track of your treatment. Write down how strong your
pain is and when it comes and goes. Most doctors use a "0 to 10" scale to
measure pain. On this scale, "0" means no pain and "10" means the worst
possible pain.
It is easy to get
confused about medicines when you are in pain and are looking for something to
help you feel better. You may have prescriptions from more than one doctor.
Keeping a written
medicine record(What is a PDF document?) can help you and your doctors work together.
Stay on top of your pain
Your pain will be harder
to control if you let it get worse before you take your medicine. Make the most
of your pain medicines by following these rules:
- Take them on time (by the clock).
- Do not skip a dose or wait until you think you need
it.
- Be prepared for breakthrough pain. You may find that taking
your medicine works most of the time, but your pain flares up during extra
activity or even for no clear reason. This is called breakthrough pain. Your
doctor can give you a prescription for fast-acting medicines that you can take
for breakthrough pain.
- Ask one of your doctors to be your team
leader. It is best to have one doctor in charge of all your medicines. If more
than one doctor prescribes pain medicine, make sure they talk to each other
about it.
Manage the side effects
Pain medicines may cause
side effects. For example, opiate pain relievers may cause drowsiness,
constipation, nausea, and vomiting. Some anti-inflammatory drugs, including
aspirin, may cause stomach upset or bleeding. Before you start taking a drug,
ask your doctor about the possible side effects.
There are things
you can do to manage some side effects.
- Home treatment for nausea or vomiting
includes eating clear soups, mild foods, and liquids if you feel nauseated.
Watch for and treat early signs of dehydration. Older adults can quickly become
dehydrated from vomiting.
- Home treatment for constipation includes making sure that you drink enough fluids and include fruits, vegetables, and fiber in your diet each day. Do not use a laxative without first talking to your doctor.
Try complementary medicine
Complementary medicine
is the term for a wide variety of health care practices that may be used along
with or in place of standard medical treatment. If you use one or more of these
practices, you may be able to take a lower dose of pain medicines.
Most of these therapies have not been subjected to the same degree of
rigorous scientific testing for safety and effectiveness that standard medical
treatments must go through before they are approved in the United States. Be
sure to talk with your doctor about which therapies might be best for
you.
Behavioral therapies
- Biofeedback is a method of consciously
controlling a body function that is normally controlled unconsciously, such as
skin temperature, muscle tension, heart rate, or blood
pressure.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of counseling that can help you cope with pain by
modifying certain thought and behavior patterns.
- Relaxation exercises, music therapy, humor therapy, and prayer may reduce tension, help
you feel relaxed, and reduce stress.
- Guided imagery is a
series of thoughts and suggestions that direct your imagination toward a
relaxed, focused state. You can use an instructor, tapes, or scripts to guide
you through this process.
- Hypnosis is a state
of focused concentration that allows you to become less aware of your
surroundings.
Physical therapies
Other therapies
- Acupuncture is
a form of traditional Chinese medicine. It is done by inserting very thin
needles into the skin at certain points on the body. Acupuncture may help relieve pain.2
- Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of
aroma-producing oils (essential oils) extracted from a plant's flowers, leaves,
stalks, bark, rind, or roots. These oils are mixed with another substance, such
as oil, alcohol, or lotion, and then applied to the skin, sprayed in the air,
or inhaled.
- Healing touch is the conscious
influence of one person on another, without physical means of intervention, to
benefit the recipient's physical or emotional well-being.
- Meditation is the practice of focusing your attention
to alter your state of consciousness, usually directed toward feeling calm and
having a clear awareness about your life.
- Yoga is a meditation
program that includes exercises to help improve flexibility and breathing,
decrease stress, and maintain health.
For more information on these therapies, see the
topic
Complementary Medicine.
Test Your Knowledge
It's important to keep track of how the pain feels and
when it's better or worse.
- True.
This answer is correct.Pain can be caused by many things. Telling your doctor exactly how, where, and when
your pain occurs makes it easier to control the pain.
- False.
This answer is incorrect.Pain can be caused by many things. Telling your doctor exactly how, where, and when
your pain occurs makes it easier to control the pain.
It is important to rely on medicines to treat pain and
not to try other methods such as hypnosis.
- True.
This answer is incorrect.Complementary treatments for pain, such as
hypnosis, biofeedback, and acupuncture, are accepted as helpful therapies for
people who have cancer. Some people are able to use less pain medicine by using
complementary therapies.
- False.
This answer is correct.Complementary treatments for pain, such as
hypnosis, biofeedback, and acupuncture, are accepted as helpful therapies for
people who have cancer. Some people are able to use less pain medicine by using
complementary therapies.
Continue to Where?
Discuss your pain and your feelings about having cancer with your doctor.
He or she can address your concerns and refer you, as needed, to organizations
that can offer support and information. You may also contact your
local chapter of the American Cancer Society to help you find a support group.
Talking with other people who have cancer and may have similar feelings can be
helpful.
Return to topic:
References
Citations
- National Cancer Institute (2011). Pain PDQ—Patient Version. Available online: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/pain/Patient.
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2011). Adult cancer pain. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology, version 1. Available online: http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/pain.pdf.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology |
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| Last Revised | October 31, 2011 |
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Last Revised:
October 31, 2011
National Cancer Institute (2011). Pain PDQ—Patient Version. Available online: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/pain/Patient.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2011). Adult cancer pain. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology, version 1. Available online: http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/pain.pdf.