Healthcare professionals across the country now recognize
pain assessment as "The Fifth Vital Sign". Learn about pain and its
management, so that you will be prepared when your healthcare professional
asks you, "Are you in pain today?"
If you are having pain, your health professional will ask you to
rate your pain. Work actively with your health care team until the
most effective combination of medicines and complementary therapies
relieve your pain. Click here for more on
pain therapies.
Do not give up! If you are not getting the help you need
from your doctor, ask for a consultation with a pain specialist or clinic.
There are medical experts within your reach who want and know how to
help.
Here are some things for you to keep in
mind about pain:
 Pain
does not always accompany a cancer diagnosis.
Escalating
pain does not always indicate that a particular treatment is not working,
or that your cancer is "out of control".
Your pain should be relieved, not tolerated. Pain is not punishment,nor
is suffering a measure of courage.
Poor pain management may slow down recovery, effect the quality of life,
and lead to depression. You need not fear addiction when you are in
pain and are taking medication under your physician's supervision. Addiction
usually involves taking pain medication for non-medical reasons.
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There is a cause for your pain. If the precise cause cannot be pinpointed,
your pain can still be alleviated.
Honest and open communication with your health care team is crucial.
Your physician is not a mind reader, and you are not a complainer when
you talk about your pain.
The earlier you tell your physician about your pain, the easier it will
be to treat. Don't allow your pain level to escalate.
When you are taking pain medication, report all side effects as they
occur. Side effects can be managed, but only if you tell your physician
or nurse about them. Keep a pain journal that includes a record of the
time you take your medications and your level of pain.
Collect
some descriptive words about pain. For example, pain can be sharp, intense,
dull, stinging, persistent, nagging, or gnawing.
Take your pain medication as directed. Don't skip dosages. Don't be
afraid of developing a tolerance for a particular drug therapy. There
are many different drugs that can be used in several combinations to
relieve your pain.
Non-drug therapies often work to relieve pain, either by themselves
or in combination with drug therapies. You may wish to explore these.
They include acupuncture, meditation, exercise, herbal medicine, support
groups, prayer, psychotherapy, visualization and relaxation techniques,
hot and cold treatments, massage, or aroma therapy.
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