Pharmacological Management Of Cancer Pain

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Cancer pain is an unpleasant feeling and emotional experience related to cancer. Pain is one of the many symptoms that may tell you something bad is happening to your body. Cancer occurs when cells grow and divide without control or order, often making too much tissue (tumor). Cancer cells can travel through the blood or lymph vessels, and spread to other areas of the body. The body contains special cells that receive signals when there is damage or injury to the body. These cells send a message to the brain. When the brain receives the message, you will feel pain.
  
  
• There are no tests available that will diagnose cancer pain. Caregivers may first check for possible causes of your cancer pain before making a diagnosis. The diagnosis of cancer pain is based on the type of cancer you have and how it causes pain. Medicines can help ease cancer pain. These include different analgesic and anesthesia (numbing) medicines. Depending on the cause of your cancer pain, your caregiver may also need to treat the cancer first. Your caregiver may also suggest other medicines to help control your pain or prevent the side effects of pain medicines. With treatment, your cancer pain may be relieved, and you may enjoy your life more.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

If you are getting pain medicine as a shot or through an IV, your family should learn how to give it to you. Caregivers will teach them how to give it, as well as how much medicine to give and how often to give it. To avoid side effects and other problems, ask your caregiver before using any over-the-counter medicine, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements. Do not worry about becoming addicted to your pain medicine.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Activity:

• Rest as often as you need to. Rest is important for your recovery. Do not return to your regular activities too quickly. Start slowly and do more as you feel stronger. Rest during the day. Plan for 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Contact your primary healthcare provider if you are not able to sleep.
  
  
• 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 help control cancer pain.

Keeping a pain diary:

It may be easier to answer your caregiver’s questions by making a pain diary or book. A pain diary will help you remember exactly what happened each day because it is all written down. This will help you tell caregivers about your pain and may help them figure out what is causing it. Write down all the words that 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.
  
  
• Preventing bed sores: A special mattress called an egg crate or air mattress may be put on your bed. You will need to be turned often if you cannot move by yourself. Turning often will keep you from getting bed sores.

For support and more information:

Having cancer pain is a life-changing condition for you and your family. Accepting that you have cancer 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 cancer pain:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
  Leawood , KS 66211-2680
  Phone: 1- 913 - 906-6000
  Phone: 1- 800 - 274-2237
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• American Cancer Society
  250 Williams Street
  Atlanta , GA 30303
  Phone: 1- 800 - 227-2345
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.org
  

• National Cancer Institute
  6116 Executive Boulevard, Room 3036A
  Bethesda , MD 20892-8322
  Phone: 1- 800 - 422-6237
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.gov
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You cannot make it to your next appointment.
  
  
• You have a fever.
  
  
• 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 chest pain or trouble breathing that is getting worse over time.
  
  
• 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 with your disease.
  
  
• 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 suddenly feel lightheaded and have trouble breathing.
  
  
• You have new and sudden chest pain. You may have more pain when you take deep breaths or cough. You may cough up blood.
  
  
• Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.

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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.