Pain Management for Chronic Cancer Pain for Patients and Families
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Jessica Hendricks NURS370 California State at San Marcos
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Why Do You Need Pain Control?
Build a trusting relationship with your doctor, nurse, as well as your pharmacist to find the best pain control • Understand about the different types of pain and how they can properly be treated in regards to chronic cancer pain • Learn and become capable with the different types of pain medications • To ensure that you not only feel comfortable, but that you are also administering your medication safely
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That having cancer does not to be associated with pain. • All pain can either be treated, or at the least decreased to a tolerable level. • Pain affects all parts of your life, and can easily cause a decrease in your health if not treated properly. • Open communication with your health care providers is a most to find the perfect
therapy whether pharmacological or nonpharmacological.
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Truths of Treatment for Cancer Pain
It should be an expectation to find the right treatment for relief of pain for you • Controlling your pain in regards to chronic cancer pain is part of treatment • Addiction to pain medication is extremely rare when the patient follows the instructions from the doctors and nurses • Side effects from pain medications are prevented when instructions are followed properly
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When Pain is NOT Relieved? You will feel: -Tired -Depressed -Angry -Worried -Lonely -Stressed
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When Pain IS Relieved? You will fill: -Enjoy being active -Sleep better -Enjoy family and friends -Eat better -Enjoy sexual intimacy -Prevent depression
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Develop a Plan! The first step with any type of treatment is to develop a plan. This is the time for open communication with your doctor, nurse, and pharmacist to ensure they know your expectations as well as are all on the same page. At this time any family and/or friends that you want included should be present. This way they know the goals you are trying to achieve as well as their roles in the process.
Keep a Journal of Your Pain:
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Use a universal scale such as the number scale to begin keeping track of your pain level. “0” would represent no pain, and “10” would represent the worst pain you have ever had. Use words to describe pain Keep track of what activities may have aggravated the pains, but also keep track of the ones that form relief of the pain Write down the type and time of treatment used. For example, pain medication or relaxation techniques. Remember to reevaluate the progress of therapeutic treatment 1-2 hours. Bring journal with you to appointments so you and your doctors, nurses, and/or pharmacists can evaluate your pain plan and decided on whether or not there needs to be change.
Opioids: Example: Morphine This type of medication is used alone or with non-opioids (ex. Tylenol) to treat moderate-to-severe pain. Opioids are a class of drug that works in the body like endorphins due, and are released to control the pain.
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Side Effects: Drowsiness: Make sure you won’t operate heavy equipment, or drive after taking medications. Constipation: Large doses of opioids may cause constipation. To decrease the chances of side effect, drink lots of fluids (at least 8 glasses/day), and increase fiber in your diet. Working out also helps with constipation. Make sure to tell your provider if you do have constipation. There are medications that will decrease the risk of constipation such as laxatives and stool softeners. Nausea and Vomiting: These symptoms usually subside a few days after taking the medications. You can also try things such as taking the opioid and then staying bed. Often times simple things such as eating before taking the medications may decrease upsetting the stomach. If you cannot find any relief let your doctor know so they provide you with an anti nausea medication such as Zofran to decrease the symptom.
Non-Pharmacological treatments for Chronic Cancer Pain • • • • • • •
Relaxation Rhythmic breathing Imagery Massage Heat/Cold therapy Emotional Support Counseling
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References American Cancer Society. (2009). Pain control: A guide for those with cancer and their loved once. American Cancer Society, INC. American Cancer Society. (2015). Cancer Pain Management. Retrieved from: http://www.cancer.org/aboutus/globalhealth/cancer-pain-management MayoClinic. 2015. Cancer pain: relief is possible. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancerpain/art-20045118