What should I know and do about pain?

ACS Answer

When people say they are having pain, it usually means they hurt somewhere in their body. But sometimes it means that they are feeling bad in general, not in any particular place. Pain can be made worse if a person is depressed. Even severe pain can be well controlled by oral medications. These medications usually include opioids (narcotics). People with cancer who have never abused drugs and are placed on opioids for pain relief rarely become addicted. Their bodies do become tolerant of the pain medicine, and the dose may need to be increased to get the same pain relief. When the pain subsides, the need for medication will gradually disappear.

What to look for

• Does the pain ever go away? Does it go away for a while, but come back hours before the next medicine is due? If so, talk to your doctor about changing the prescription.
• Signs of depression, such as trouble sleeping or lack of interest in things you used to enjoy
• Worry about things that had not caused concern in the past
• New areas of pain or a change in your pain

What to do

• Take the pain medication exactly as prescribed. Pain medication should be given round-the-clock on a schedule, not only when pain is severe. Check with your doctor if this schedule needs to be adjusted.
• Have at least a week's supply of pain medication.
• As the pain is relieved, increase your activity level.
• Some people feel nauseated even when taking the correct dose of pain medicine. Ask your doctor for something to control the nausea.
• People receiving opioid pain medicines should be placed on a laxative regimen, as narcotics can cause constipation.
• Rate your pain using a pain rating scale, such as 0 = no pain to 10 = worst pain, so that you can explain your pain to others.

Do not

• Suddenly stop taking all pain medicine; reduce the medication gradually when your doctor advises it
• Think of accepting pain treatment as a sign of weakness; there is no medical benefit to putting up with untreated pain

Call the doctorabout any of the following symptoms

• If any new, severe pain occurs
• If you become constipated, nauseated, or confused
• If you have any questions about how to take the medications
• If pain is accompanied by a new symptom (e.g., inability to walk, eat, or urinate)

Related Resources

Get more information about pain.

Get more information about pain treatment.

Find books that cover this and other cancer topics at the American Cancer Society bookstore.

Recommended Consultation

You should consider discussing this question with your doctor or health care team.

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