Pain Management For Cancer Patients With Mesothelioma
Overview
Mesothelioma patients often suffer from a great deal of pain as a
result of their illness. There are many sources of pain for those
suffering from various forms of cancer, including Mesothelioma. These
tumors can press on nerves, organs or bones and cause pain ranging
from mild to severe. There can be pain associated with the cancer
treatment itself - whether treatment is from surgery, chemotherapy or
radiation. There is psychological pain associated with the knowledge
that you have cancer, the burden that you believe that cancer places
on your family and related issues. You can also have other pains not
related to your cancer that can add to the burden. Patients are often
afraid to speak up for themselves and let doctors know that they are
in pain.
The medical community is working to improve the management of the
mesothelioma patient's pain. Many patients are unaware of the numerous
resources available that can help them feel better - some of them at
no cost. Your doctor will explain that there is no benefit to enduring
this pain - it can cause problems sleeping, problems with activity and
movement, make you less likely to eat, increase depression, and
interfere with how you interact with family and friends. Untreated,
pain can diminish your quality of life. And keeping a positive outlook
will be key as you move ahead. With the numerous resources and methods
available for treating pain, no one should suffer from unmanageable
pain. Many hospitals monitor pain closely. The Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center refers to it as the "5th Vital Sign" - believing it should be
monitored and addressed.
If you want to better understand what your doctors and health care
workers are doing to help you manage your condition, understanding
tools available for pain management may help. The three most common
types of pain are chronic, acute and breakthrough. Chronic pain can be
varying in degree from mild to severe, and persists over a long time.
Acute pain is short in duration, quite sudden and can be severe.
Someone who experiences pain, when his or her chronic pain is normally
controlled by medication is said to have "Breakthrough" pain.
There are several things that can be done to control pain, but you
must first help your doctor assess your pain. You can keep a record or
journal of your pain to share with your doctor. You are the only one
who knows where your pain is located, how intense it is, how often it
occurs, and what helps you feel better. Once you have determined how
much pain you are having, you can inform your doctor. He cannot help
you unless you let him know that you are experiencing pain. You should
also let him know if you are experiencing any new pain or any changes
in pain that you have had. Together, you can develop a plan to
effectively minimize your pain. [Note: Your doctor will manage your
care. This information may help you as you move ahead.]
Treatment for your cancer, whether it is from surgery, chemotherapy,
radiation therapy or immune therapy, may provide some relief as they
rid your body of the underlying cancer. Your doctor may want you to
consider other pain management tools. These methods include the use of
medications/anesthesia. There are several ways that medications are
administered - orally, intravenously, suppositories, patches, and
shots. Medications are divided into groups: Non-Opioids, Opioids, and
Rapid-Onset Opioids. Non-Opioids are non-narcotic drugs that are used
for mild to moderate pain. This can include over the counter
medications, such as Tylenol. Opioids are narcotics that are
prescribed for moderate to severe pain. Rapid-Onset Opioids are
narcotics used to treat breakthrough pain. Epidurals, nerve blocks, or
implanted pain pumps can also help. Some medications will cause side
effects, but these can usually be managed by your doctor if you advise
him of your problems.
Neurosurgery is another option to help reduce your pain. Basically,
this method alters or interrupts nerve pathways to reduce pain. It can
also be used to implant drug-delivery devices. Some mesothelioma
patients have been helped with neurosurgery.
Psychological and Social Approaches are vital to helping you and your
family deal with anxiety and depression that you may be experiencing.
It can also help you to devise coping skills for handling your pain,
and teaching your loved ones how to step in and help you when you are
experiencing pain. It can also provide support to help you and your
family manage your illness. By learning how to cope with your pain and
asking for help, you are improving your own quality of life.
There are also many alternative/complementary methods to help ease
your pain. Relaxation, distraction, meditation, visualization, and
hypnosis methods allow you to focus your energy on something other
than your pain. Some of these techniques are described in the National
Cancer Institute's cancer information website www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/supportivecare/pain.
Music has been found to be a very helpful tool and relatively easy to
incorporate into a daily routine. Massage therapy can provide relief
by stimulating muscles and nerves. Physical and Aquatic therapy can
help you with mobility. Acupuncture may also offer relief for some
patients. Some of these methods can be done at no cost - even a loved
one can give you a massage.
No one should suffer from unmanageable pain. A combination of the
above methods will help to reduce, and in some cases eliminate, pain
you may be experiencing. The following list of resources can help you
and your family understand
Source: Mesothelioma Information Website |
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