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| Myth: |
Cancer
patients will become addicted to the morphine doctors prescribe
for pain relief.
|
| Fact:
|
Addiction to strong
pain medications is rare in chronic cancer pain patients.
Doctors can increase, decrease, or change pain medications
to accommodate each individual's needs. Many patients may
need to take stronger medications to manage their pain. |
| Myth: |
Cancer
patients build tolerance to pain medication. As their disease
progresses and they start to feel "real" pain, their
medication does not work anymore.
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| Fact:
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Drug tolerance does
develop, but it can be overcome. Physicians can increase dosage
levels or change prescriptions, depending on what type of
medication provides effective relief for each patient. There
is no "ceiling dose" for the pain- relieving effects
of morphine. |
| Myth: |
When
cancer patients ask for pain medication, their disease is
worsening.
|
| Fact:
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Pain may be caused
by the cancer or by cancer treatments, including radiation,
surgery, or chemotherapy. Sometimes the source of pain is
unrelated to the cancer. Relieving cancer pain is an essential
aspect in a patient's ability to fight disease. Cancer pain
does not necessarily mean the disease is progressing to its
advanced stages. |
| Myth: |
Side
effects from pain medication cause cancer patients to lose
control.
|
| Fact:
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All medicines have
side effects, and each patient will experience them differently.
Cancer pain medicines may cause drowsiness, but the feeling
often subsides after the first few days. Other common side
effects that gradually decrease during the first few days
of treatment include nausea and vomiting. Feeling "high"
or losing control after taking pain medications is rare, but
patients may feel dizzy or confused. Changing the strength
of the dose or the type of medication usually solves the problem.
|
| Myth: |
Cancer
patient who continually ask for pain relief distract doctors
and nurses from accurately treating their condition.
|
| Fact:
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Expressing pain
and receiving treatment for relief does not detract from the
treatment of cancer. Using pain medications when needed helps
patients to eat meals, sleep during the night, and perform
daily activities.
Use of pain medication improves cancer patients' quality of
life and helps them to stay strong and rested for their cancer
treatments. Effective pain management should always be a part
of any cancer treatment program. |
| Myth: |
Patients
need "shots" to relieve chronic pain
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| Fact:
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Oral pain medications
are prescribed to treat approximately 90% of cancer-related
chronic pain. Other methods, including rectal suppositories
and transdermal patches, are used if swallowing becomes difficult.
Injections are usually not necessary in most patients. |
| Myth: |
Pain
is an unavoidable aspect of having cancer.
|
| Fact:
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Relief from pain
is a patient's right, and not all patients diagnosed with
cancer experience it. For those who do, pain can be relieved
or alleviated without interfering with the primary treatment
of the disease. Sometimes the pain is unrelated to the illness.
Getting pain relief will result in better patient quality
of life and more effective cancer treatments. |
Source:
http://www.cancernetwork.com/
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This health article is made available by Dr. Rel Gray, MD a Pain Managemental Specialist. Pain managemental office at 206 E. Reynolds Drive # C2 Ruston, LA 71270. Dr. Rel Gray, MD is easily accessible from Union, Ouachita, Lincoln, Jackson, Claiborne, Bienville, Bernice, Downsville, Farmerville, Calhoun, Choudrant, Dubach, Grambling, Ruston, Simsboro, Eros, Hodge, Jonesboro, Quitman, Athens, Lisbon, Arcadia, Bienville, Gibsland.
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STATE
OF THE ART PAIN MANAGEMENTAL CARE
ONE PATIENT AT A TIME |
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