If you're in pain
People who take pain medication to relieve pain do not become addicted to drugs. Most often, as your pain decreases, your needs for pain medication will decrease as well. However, when pain remains constant, you may require increasing doses of pain medication over time to obtain the same level of pain relief.
You care team will ask you to rate your pain. They may ask you to measure your pain on a scale of 0-10, using a numeric pain intensity scale.
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Reporting your pain will help your doctor and nurses know how well your medication is working and whether any change is needed. Pain cannot always be completely relieved, but our goal is to maintain your pain at a level that is acceptable to you.
Pain medication should be taken as soon as you feel pain. Waiting to take medication until the pain becomes unbearable is detrimental to good pain control. At times, it is better to give the medication at set times, around the clock, so that the pain does not have time to become severe. Likewise, pain medication is sometimes given before a procedure or activity that is known to cause discomfort.
Some pain medication may cause side effects. These side effects include drowsiness, nausea and constipation. If you experience any of these side effects, tell your doctor or nurse immediately so that alternative medications can be provided.
Remember: You are the best judge of your pain and how well your pain control plan is working. We are here to assist you in gaining the best pain relief possible within the limits of safe practice
Pain management
A certain amount of pain is to be expected with certain treatment. There are a variety of options for the management of pain. Your care team will be available to discuss which options are right for you.
Your care team will ask you questions about your pain in an effort to understand your pain and to find the best method for controlling it.
They will ask you to describe the pain (sharp, dull, stabbing, burning, pressure), and may ask you to rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10. A score of "0" is no pain and "10" is the worse pain imaginable.
Based on your past experience with pain, tell your nurse what helps to relieve your pain; whether it is medications or other techniques, as well as how you would prefer to manage your pain.