Wish your pain away. If only it were that easy. In addition to physical pain, other components can add to pain already present. That's why pain medication may not alleviate pain entirely until you have addressed the other aspects of your pain, such as anxiety, interpersonal or social problems and spiritual distress.
Pain is whatever you say it is, said Catherine Eberle, MD, CMD, a pain specialist at the Nebraska Medical Center. And your doctor should take your pain seriously because pain can affect every part of your life.
For example, someone in pain, according to Dr. Eberle, may have difficulty sleeping, trouble completing work and household tasks, lost interest in leisure activities and lapse into depression.
Your doctor should assess your pain and help you manage pain. Non-drug methods might include physical therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, chiropractic and relaxation. Medications and combinations of medications to treat steady-state pain and breakthrough pain may be needed.
Expect your clinician to ask you to describe your pain. Be specific. Use words such as crushing, piercing, sharp, numbing, radiating, burning and shooting. These terms will help your doctor pinpoint the quality of your pain and may help determine which medications are likely to ease your pain. A thorough doctor will regularly reassess your pain.
If your health care team is not helping you manage pain, it's your job to find a medical professional who will. Ask for a referral to a pain specialist.
|
