Breast cancer – Symptoms and treatment
How can I overcome my pain?
For sexuality to occur, pain control is important. Living in constant chronic pain can negatively affect the quality of life. Activities of your daily living, as well as your overall mental, physical, and emotional well-being, are impacted.
Many cancer patients incorrectly believe that they need to suffer in silence. Most cancer pain can be effectively controlled. You will be able to enjoy life again, sleep better, enjoy social connections, and eat healthy after your pain is controlled.
Pain that is out of control often leads to anger, frustration, depression, isolation, and stress. Pain control often involves your cancer (oncology) doctors, nurses, pharmacists, anesthesiologists, neurologists, and perhaps a specialist in pain management. Do not suffer in silence, believing that your discomfort is a sign of weakness or that your suffering is part of the healing process. Your healthcare team members can treat your pain only when they know that it exists.
Sometimes patients worry that they will become addicted to prescribed pain medications. This is unlikely, however, even with strong medications such as narcotics or opioids. Some people fear the potential side effects, including constipation, nausea and vomiting, lightheadedness, confusion, or a loss of control. Your doctor can modify the medications to minimize side effects while maximizing pain control.
Types of cancer pain include acute, chronic, and breakthrough pain. Pain can come from the cancer tumor or as a result of the surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Phantom pain can occur at the site of an amputation or limb removal, and some women who have had mastectomies feel abnormal pain, sensations, or discomfort where the breast is missing.
Cancer Pain Treatments Medications and nonmedical techniques can minimize your pain. Develop and implement an adequate pain management plan with your healthcare team.
Keep a diary to document your pain levels and quality throughout the day. Place intensity on a scale from 1 to 10, where 10 is the worst and 1 or 0 is pain free. Mark the type of pain. Is it dull? Throbbing? Sharp? Constant? What makes your pain better or worse? Also, keep record of how your pain is managed (e.g., medication and other techniques). Some pain medications are over the counter. Before your medical visit, write a list (or bring) all of your medications. These drugs can be analyzed so that possible side effects or drug interactions can be minimized.
According to the American Cancer Society’s guide on pain management, these are important questions to ask your physician before taking pain medications:
• How much medication should I take? What is the dose?
• How often should I take it?
• Can I take more if I am still in pain? How long before the medication begins working? If I can take more, how much? If no, then how long do I have to wait before the next dose?
• Should I take the medication with food or on an empty stomach?
• Can I drink alcohol with this medication? What foods should be avoided?
• Can I work, drive, or operate machinery while taking this medication?
• How does this medication interact with the other medications that I am already taking?
• What are the common side effects? How can I prevent or treat them?
• Does this medication interact with certain foods, herbs, or vitamins?
• What do I do if I run out of my prescription? What is your office practice for renewing medications?
• Is this covered by my insurance? Can I take a less expensive generic form?
The following is a list, although not exhaustive, of new mediations that may be offered. Pain medications can be pills, suppositories, patches, liquid, or injected into your bloodstream, muscle, or space around nerve endings in your spine.
• Nonopioids. Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs fit into this category. Gastrointestinal upset can occur with these. Some are over the counter. Stronger doses of these types of medications may require a doctor’s prescription.
• Opioids. This category includes morphine, fentanyl, Demerol, codeine, and oxycodone. Some of the more likely side effects of the opioids include drowsiness, constipation, nausea, or vomiting. Some people may experience itchiness over their body, confusion, or hallucinations. Opioids can be addictive. When you no longer need opioids, gradually diminish your dose and times of taking this type of medication to avoid rapid withdrawal symptoms, including generally feeling bad, a flu-like syndrome, disturbed sleep, preoccupation with physical symptoms, and a lower threshold for tolerating stress. These symptoms may go away in a short time in healthy individuals.
• Antidepressants and anticonvulsants. These can be used for pain that causes burning or tingling. Antidepressants can treat mood disorders as well as chronic pain syndromes. Common side effects include dry mouth, a drop in blood pressure, an inability to urinate, or drowsiness. “Holding off” between doses is counterproductive in controlling your pain. Taking your medications at a fixed time may be the best method to control your cancer pain effectively. If you experience any side effects or complications from your medications, seek professional medical advice. Your physician can help you manage these side effects or can change your medication entirely.
A number of strategies, including hypnosis, biofeedback, guided imagery, acupuncture, deep rhythmic breathing, or physical therapy, can help you to cope with pain and anxiety. Many comprehensive cancer institutions have a department of alternative or complementary medicine or know about resources where these services can be provided. If you suffer from chronic pain, seek some emotional counseling or supportive care. Other specialized techniques such as reflexology, Shiatsu massage, aromatherapy, Reiki, meditation, and yoga may also be helpful for pain control. Minimize your pain level before considering sexual activity.
Terms:
Depression – A state of lowered mood usually associated with other disturbances like sleep, appetite, and loss of life’s pleasure. Serious cases may be associated with suicidal thoughts.
Antidepressant – The best medication to treat depression and panic attacks. They are no addictive and may benefit the central nervous system in many ways.
Reflexology – A therapeutic method of relieving pain by stimulating predefined pressure points on the feet and hands.
Shiatsu massage – A manipulative therapy developed in
Aromatherapy – An integrative care practice that uses oils from plants to treat physical or psychological conditions. The oils can be inhaled, used in vaporizers, or used in massage.
Reiki – A form of therapy that uses simple hands-on, no-touch, and visualization techniques, with the goal of improving the flow of life energy in a person.
