When someone you love is diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is natural to worry about the pain they may suffer. You may even feel a bit helpless, thinking there is nothing you can do to help.
This could not be further from the truth.
There's a lot you can do to help your loved one manage pain. But first, you need to learn more about pain and cancer: some basic facts, which causes pain and what drugs do to the pain
Facts about cancer pain
- An on. every three people with cancer experience cancer pain
- There are more than one type of pain
- Different types of pain include : .. dull, sharp, tingling, pain, burning and throbbing.
- Not all the pain responds to the same drug.
- to describe the pain to the doctor, it is important to specify what type of pain it is so that proper medication can be prescribed to control it.
- Not all pain is the same intensity.
causes of cancer pain
cancer pain occurs due to a number of reasons, including :.
- cancer itself, or parts of the body where the cancer
- A tumor putting pressure on nerves and organs
- surgery treatments, radiotherapy and chemotherapy
Note: .. Not all cancer patients experience the same kind of pain, so the medications prescribed by their doctor will be specific to their needs.
drugs to relieve pain
If the patient is not experiencing severe pain, the doctor may suggest over-the-counter medications such as aspirin or naproxen.
If, however, the pain becomes chronic, stronger medication may be needed to control pain.
opioids
Painkillers family of opioids (drugs that have an effect similar to morphine) have proven very effective in relieving pain associated with cancer, and these types of drugs are commonly prescribed by doctors for cancer patients.
types of opioid drugs
- morphine
- OxyContin
- Roxicodone
- methadone
- hydromorphone
Common misconceptions about opioids
While many cancer patients experiencing chronic pain, only a small percentage of them have adequate pain relief. Unrelieved pain can cause a short period of concentration, sleep disturbances, anger, anxiety, feelings of isolation and depression.
Unfortunately, many people suffer needlessly from chronic pain due to fear of addiction and the common belief that high doses of methadone or morphine cause sedation and prevent people from functioning normally.
Take morphine or methadone for cancer pain should not be compared to drug addiction. Properly prescribed opioid drugs do not translates into a "high" nor cause sedation.
The effective chronic pain "used" the drug.
From my personal experience of taking care of my husband, Brian, I can confirm the effectiveness of morphine, methadone and hydromorphone for pain of mesothelioma cancer. I can also confirm that it does not make a person sedated or unable to function normally.
Thanks to morphine and methadone and hydromorphone later, Brian was able to achieve control of the remarkable pain, despite taking these drugs on a regular basis, he remained active and alert, drove his car for 18 months after diagnosis and have not become bedridden as three short days before her death.
How drugs opioids are taken
These drugs often can be taken orally, so they are easy to use. The drugs can be in the form of tablets, or they can be made to dissolve quickly in the mouth. They may also be taken intravenously, rectally or through the skin with a patch.
The side effects of opioids
When taking opioid drugs for the first time, there may be initial feelings of confusion and lethargy. This is caused by the body get used to the drug, and usually disappears after the first dose
This was the case of Brian. after his first dose of methadone, he was a bit confused and disoriented. Her doctor explained that it was a normal reaction to the drug being introduced into the body. Over the next two administrations, the amount per dose was regulated and Brian had no other symptoms of confusion after.
Helping your loved pain control
To help, you will need three things:
- good communication between you, your loved one and their doctor
- a pain scale
- daily newspaper
Why good communication is important
Before a good pain relief can be achieved, you need to know and understand the pain of your loved ones faces. Encourage your family to talk to you and explain how you can help.
What is a pain scale?
A pain scale using the range of 0-10 is a simple but effective tool that can be used to determine the severity of the pain.
No two people have the same pain tolerance, so using a pain scale allows individuals to communicate the intensity of pain they experience.
For example :. 0-3 mild pain, moderate pain 3-5, 5-7 severe pain, extreme pain 8-10
Encourage your loved ones to communicate the type of pain they experience and intensity using the pain scale.
Why do I need a daily newspaper and how do I use?
to effectively help your loved one to control their pain, you must keep a daily record of your beloved is on medication and any pain or symptoms they may experience.
The purpose of this review is to provide the physician with an accurate record of the pain and symptoms of your close so he or she can determine the type of necessary medication and dosage to bring the pain your loved and symptoms under control.
How to use your Journal
Buy a single newspaper, or a laptop, and make a page for each day. Divide the first half of each page per day in four columns. Using the example below, the list of your beloved medication is taken, and the dose and the time it is administered.
After the drug was administered, place a check mark in the last column. This will remove all fear of missed doses
Example :.
Monday
| Medication | Due Time | Dosage | administered |
|---|---|---|---|
| morphine | 9:00 | 5 mls | |
| Bisolax | 9:30 | 2.5 mls | |
| morphine | 1:00 p.m. | 5 mls |
the second half of the page is for you to write your notes, and this is a very important part of controlling pain.
here you need to write your relatives symptoms was born, and all the "breakthrough pain" they know. Breakthrough pain is a term used to describe the pain "through" despite regular medication for pain control being taken
Breakthrough pain can be due to a number of reasons, including :.
- prescribed dosage of drugs against pain is not enough
- Another type of medication is needed
Each time you write about pain in your paper, remember to include the time it occurred and intensity using the pain scale.
It is also very important that you write the type of pain your loved one experienced. This will help the doctor determine whether a different type of reliever of pain is necessary
Examples :.
Monday notes
John had pain "breakthrough" today ?? at 11 am, two hours after treatment of pain was taken. John says that it was a stabbing pain and the intensity was 5 on its scale of pain.
Tuesday notes
John was complaining of tingling pain in his chest all day. It has not disappeared despite his regular drug against pain and is about 2 of his pain scale.
Wednesday notes
John is having a very good day today ?? no breakthrough pain. The new drug seems to work.
Remember to write in the newspaper as suggested every day, and take it with you forever when you and your loved one doctor's visit.
The doctor will greatly appreciate your input, as it help determine precisely how your loved one is struggling with their illness and what drugs and dosages are necessary to keep their pain and symptoms under control.
Take care.
