BREAST
CANCER
Coping With Pain
Nothing can dampen the spirit quite as much as unrelenting pain. Yet you can learn to manage your discomfort. Incorporating a number of different strategies can help you cope and gain control of your life.
Cancer patients often experience pain, especially bone pain. It represents the most common type of pain associated with cancer. Patients often refer to bone pain as a dull ache that worsens with time. But it also may produce stabbing sensations or muscle spasms.
Pain management typically requires a team approach. You must work with your health professionals to find the right plan for you.
Always speak up and tell your doctor about the type of pain you feel and its intensity. Keep a pain diary. Record your level of pain on a scale of zero to ten, with ten being the worst. Also track your medications, activities and other things you use to relieve your discomfort. Note your response in the diary and any side effects that may occur. This will help your doctor modify your plan of care.
A variety of medications and treatments exist that can control most cancer pain. Take medications as prescribed. Do not wait for the pain to get worse or to save "strong medications" for later. Pain medications work best when taken before the pain intensifies.
Physicians often recommend cancer patients take pain medications on a regular basis. They may order additional short-acting drugs to treat "breakthrough" pain. This is pain that occurs before the next dose of regular medication.
The doctor also may suggest therapies such as chemotherapy, external beam radiation or radiopharmaceuticals to treat pain associated with bone metastases.
Additional treatments to control pain include heat, such as warm baths or a warm compress, and cold, such as an ice pack to decrease muscle spasm. Ask the doctor if a loved one could give you a gentle massage.
Distraction often works extremely well in combination with medication. Delve into a good book. Watch a movie. Listen to music. Talk with friends.
Techniques such as deep breathing, progressive relaxation, guided imagery and meditation often produce good results. Tapes and CDs or time with an expert can help you master these techniques. Since loss of appetite can be associated with cancer and bone pain, good nutrition and eating well are especially important.
Chronic pain often leads to depression and anxiety, which can make the pain seem worse. Try to reframe your thoughts. Avoid negative thinking. A counselor or peer support group often can help shape healthier perceptions about pain and illness.
Never lose hope. Talk to your health care team about other things you can try. Once you bring your pain under control, you will be able to live life to the fullest possible.
