There are many things to worry about when dealing with a mesothelioma cancer diagnosis.
Getting addicted to drugs against pain should not be one of them.
"I wish patients knew that when going through the cancer experience, it is normal to take medication for your pain," said Erin McMenamin, radiation oncology nurse practitioner at 'Abramson cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania. "Patients spend much time avoiding drugs against pain because they are worried about addiction. But in the cancer population, it is quite rare that people get addicted. . "
McMenamin delivered his message on Oncolink, a blog designed for patients at the Abramson Cancer Center His topic was:" The common myths about pain medications and pain control. " She hoped to dispel many misconceptions that often experience the most painful cancer that should be with modern medicine.
The Abramson Cancer Center is one of the national leaders in cancer research, particularly with mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure which is diagnosed in about 3,000 Americans each year .
pain is part of the disease, caused either by the natural progression of cancer or one of the treatment options. But it is the management of pain, an area that has advanced considerably in recent years.
Although it may be an admirable goal for a cancer patient to avoid drugs against pain as much as possible, this channel may do more harm than good. Although the pain may vary from person to person, the peritoneal mesothelioma patients usually have considerable pain in the abdominal area.
patients with pleural mesothelioma have pain around their chest, side and rear. Recovery from surgery can intensify the pain throughout the body.
"People have this perception that when they take drugs against pain, they may not work, when in fact, it is likely they will be able to function better", they say she . "They disent` I do not want to be a zombie." But the pain medication will not make you incapable of doing anything that requires cognitive skills. "
McMenamin believes the quality of life of a cancer patient is better if the drug against the prescribed pain is taken as directed. The absence of pain makes a patient more likely to stay active a patient who is struggling against the pain every day.
"There is less fatigue. The appetite has generally improved, but people have the perception that it is the other way sometimes," she said. "Patients can make the 'harder experience when they avoid (drugs against pain). "
oncologists now have a much wider variety of drugs than in previous decades. And side effects are not as dramatic as they once were. Doctors can dose adjustments, adjust the timing of the doses, or change the types of drugs if side effects occur. There are a myriad of options. An open line of communication is essential.
Part of the treatment of cancer patients is to make sure they are as comfortable as possible. Severe pain is often relieved by medicine of the highest pain, which includes a variety of opioids such as morphine or oxycodone. minor pain are treated differently.
"Whenever you're worried about side effects, we can make changes," said McMenamin. "There are a number of choices regarding drug interventions."
Do you regularly take medications against pain or you're worried about becoming addicted? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook.
