| Can My Pain Be Alleviated? |
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ARTICLE SUMMARY Pain can always be alleviated, and the key to proper pain management is to find a physician who is skilled and knowledgeable in this area. The second most important step is to believe in your loved one suffering. The pain is what they say it is, and it is not better until they say it is better. Once you understand that pain can be controlled and managed, then you gain hope for the answer. This hope can build upon itself, and pain management will become secondary to other issues that you and your loved one face. Can pain be alleviated?
Can my Pain be alleviated? FULL ARTICLE Pain can always be alleviated, and the key to proper pain management is to find a physician who is skilled and knowledgeable in this area. The second most important step is to believe in your loved one suffering. The pain is what they say it is, and it is not better until they say it is better. Once you understand that pain can be controlled and managed, then you gain hope for the answer. This hope can build upon itself, and pain management will become secondary to other issues that you and your loved one face. Many studies have shown that pain can be managed 100% of the time. In fact, 95% of pain management can occur without sedation. Even with sedation, levels can be achieved that permit periods of non-sedation. Thus no reason exists today for a person to go without pain management unless they choose to do so – and they do have that right. However patients may suffer because some doctors do not know how to treat the pain. Doctors may be fearful of addition, which is very rare. When medications are used for pain management and not abused, cases of addiction rarely occur. Doctors also may be fearful of over-prescribing pain mediations. With opioids there is no maximum dose, because there is no level where the pain control diminishes. Patients may contribute to an increase in their own pain as well, by being afraid to report pain. Your loved one may fear being perceived as weak, and may want to ‘tough it out’. Your loved one may also fear they are giving up on the fight against the disease - this is no reason to avoid pain management. Quick, rapid and effective pain management will prevent problems from magnifying, and will bring the patient into a comfortable state. Once this state is achieved you and your loved one can focus on what to do with the rest of your lives. |