Chronic Pain Management

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Chronic pain is pain that persists or grows worse over a long period of time. Pain is an unpleasant feeling and emotional experience from injury or damage to your body. It may be a sign that there is a problem with an organ or tissue of the body. Chronic pain may be pain that lasts for months or years due to a chronic (long term) condition. It may be pain that remains after recovering from an injury or illness. Chronic pain may persist even if caregivers have given you medicines or treatments. It may not be constant (always present) but may cause problems with your daily activities. With chronic pain, you may feel depressed or hopeless. You may also lose your appetite, or have problems sleeping.
  
  
• There are no tests available that will diagnose chronic pain. Caregivers may first check for possible causes of your chronic pain before making a diagnosis. The diagnosis of chronic pain is based on low long and how often you have your symptoms. Treatment for chronic pain includes medicines, surgery, or procedures such as ultrasound, radio waves, thermal (heat), or laser treatment. Other treatment options may include alternative and complementary therapies. Your caregiver may suggest acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, dietary supplements, and mind-body therapies, such as biofeedback, hypnosis, and relaxation. With treatment, your chronic pain may be relieved, and your quality of life improved.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Activity:

• Rest: You may feel like resting more. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed.
  
  
• Sports and exercise: Talk to your caregiver before you start exercising or returning to sports. Together you can plan an exercise program that best suits you. Sports and exercise increase your strength, improve overall fitness, and may help control chronic pain. Do some stretching or warm-up exercises on your back, arm, and leg muscles before exercising. Start with a low-impact sport, such as walking or swimming, and do more as you get stronger.

Keeping a pain diary: It may be easier to answer your caregiver’s questions by making a pain diary. A pain diary will help you remember what happened each day so that you can tell caregivers about your pain. Doing this may also help them find what may be causing your pain. Write down all the words that come to you to describe your pain. A diary also helps track pain cycles. This may make you more aware of when and how the pain may start and end.

Wellness hints:

• Diet and nutrition: Eat a variety of healthy foods every day to help you feel better and have more energy. Your diet should include fruits, vegetables, breads, chicken, fish, and beans. Ask your caregiver for more information about the best diet for you.
  
  
• Learn ways to manage stress. Deep breathing, meditation, and listening to music may help you cope with stressful events. Talk to your caregiver about other ways to manage stress.
  
  
• Weight: Weighing too much can make your chronic pain worse, your heart work harder, and cause other health problems. You may need to talk to your caregiver about a weight loss plan.

For support and more information: Having chronic pain may be a life-changing condition for you and your family. Accepting that you have chronic pain may be hard. You and those around you may feel sad, frightened, and anxious. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregiver, family, or friends about your feelings. Contact the following for more information about chronic pain:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  PO Box 11210
  Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
  Phone: 1-913-906-6000
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• National Chronic Pain Outreach Association
  PO Box 274
  Millboro, VA 24460
  Phone: 1-540-862-9437
  Web Address: www.chronicpain.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You cannot make it to your next appointment.
  
  
• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have chills, a cough, or feel weak and achy.
  
  
• You have nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You feel more pain even after taking your medicines.
  
  
• You feel so depressed that you cannot cope.
  
  
• You feel very anxious or irritable after you take your medicines.
  
  
• You have problems sleeping or thinking clearly.
  
  
• You have trouble controlling your bowel or bladder.
  
  
• You have severe chest pain and trouble breathing all of a sudden.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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