Managing pain during cancer treatment: Overview
Cancer and some of the treatments for it can cause pain. But having cancer does not mean that you have to live with pain. Medicines and other treatments can reduce or stop your pain completely. Getting your pain under control is an important part of cancer treatment. It can help you eat and sleep better, have more energy for your usual activities, and enjoy time with your family and friends.
Pain control starts with finding the cause of the pain. As soon as your doctor knows what is causing your pain, the doctor can recommend the best treatment for your type of pain.
Medicines are often used to treat pain. You and your doctor may need to adjust your medicine to help you get the best possible pain control with the fewest side effects. Your doctor may suggest different medicines, combinations of medicines, or higher doses. You do not need to "tough it out" or wait until your pain is bad before you take medicine. Pain medicine may work better if you use it when you first notice pain, before it becomes bad.
You are the only person who can say how much pain you have, or if a certain pain medicine is working for you. It is important to tell your doctor what your pain feels like and what works and does not work. The more specific you can be about your pain, the better your doctor will be able to treat it.
Besides pain medicine, there also are many other ways to control cancer pain, including things you can do at home. Some people find acupuncture, massage, and aromatherapy helpful. Or you may want to use relaxation exercises, biofeedback, or guided imagery to help you cope better with the pain. Emotional support from your family and friends can also help.
Why is it important to manage your pain?
Controlling your pain can help you to:
- Be active.
- Sleep.
- Cope better with your treatment for a health problem.
- Enjoy family and friends.
- Eat with pleasure.
- Heal faster after an injury or surgery.
Long-term pain that isn't controlled can take the joy from your life. You may not be able to work. Physical activity may be too painful or exhausting. You may have a hard time sleeping at night, which can make you tired and cranky. Your outlook on life may change and strain your relationships with family and friends. You may become depressed and anxious.
Controlling pain can help with all these things.
How will your pain be managed in the hospital?
Your doctor will explain how much pain you should expect and how long it may last. This will depend on what is causing your pain.
Controlling pain doesn't always mean that you will feel no pain at all. You and your doctor can work together to find ways to limit your pain as you recover so you can feel better and do more for yourself.
Your feelings about how you want your pain to be managed are important. Some things that might shape what you prefer include:
- How you've dealt with pain in the past.
- Your feelings about side effects of medicine.
- Your past health.
- Your age.
Your doctor will talk with you about what options are available in your case. Your choices for pain control might include more than one medicine. In the hospital, you might get intravenous (I.V.) medicines through a tube in a vein in your arm or hand. You may also use a type of pump that lets you give yourself a certain amount of pain medicine if you need it. And some pain control medicines might be in pill form.
Some conditions can make pain control more complex. If this is true in your case, you might be referred to a pain specialist.
Managing pain during cancer treatment: When to call
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have severe pain.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You have new or worse pain.
- You do not get better as expected.
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