Chronic Pain Management for Cancer Patients
By Lorraine Kember
Chronic untreated pain is debilitating, it dramatically
affects a patient’s ability to participate in daily routines
and in some cases takes away their will to live. Tragically, many
people are suffering chronic pain unnecessarily.
This in part, due to them not being made aware of
the importance of pain management and being shown the simple tools
necessary to achieve it. Lack of knowledge regarding the benefits
and side effects of available medication is also a factor.
Many patients associate morphine and methadone with
drug addiction and are reluctant to take it due to their belief that
it will cause them to become “high” or sedated, this and
their attempts to brave out the pain, results in their pain spirally
out of control.
This could be prevented if they were informed that
chronic pain effectively “uses up” medication and that
these drugs when taken for the relief of pain associated with cancer,
can dramatically reduce both the occurrence and intensity of pain,
without causing sedation.
Not long after my husband’s terminal cancer
diagnosis, I observed that despite his medication, he was in considerable
pain and this upset me greatly - determined to help him, I turned
to the internet to learn about the progressive symptoms of his disease,
the pain he would experience and methods available to control it.
One of the most important things I learned, was that
in order to obtain the best possible pain control – medication
must be taken at regular prescribed times, regardless of whether pain
is or isn’t present, effectively keeping in front of the pain.
I learned that there are different types of pain and
that not all pain responds to the same medication; and how to measure
intensity of pain and encouraged Brian to communicate to me - the
type of pain he was experiencing and its intensity by using a pain
scale.
Brian soon realized the benefits of this - It was
an immense relief for him- to know that I understood what he was experiencing
and more importantly – that I could do something about it.
Despite the large amount of methadone Brian was taking;
he remained active and alert, drove his car for eighteen months after
diagnosis and was able to continue going fishing, which was the passion
of his life. Keeping him out of pain became the reason for my existence
and I was vigilant in giving him his medication at prescribed times.
There were many occasions when caring but uninformed
loved ones and friends, said to me. “Brian does not need for
you to be giving him medication at this time – he is not in
pain”. And I would patiently explain to them, that the reason
Brian was not in pain, was because the regular medication he was receiving
effectively allowed for him to remain in front of it.
Experience has taught me that knowledge is the key,
to better quality of life, not only for the cancer patient but for
those who care for them. My understanding of the stages and symptoms
of Brian’s disease, allowed for me to be one step ahead of its
progression and gave me the opportunity to have medication and later,
physical aids such as oxygen, wheelchair etc – on hand BEFORE
Brian needed them. This alleviated much of the fear, pain and discomfort
he would otherwise have suffered.
Article written by: Lorraine Kember – Author
of “Lean on Me” Cancer through a Carer’s Eyes. Lorraine’s
book is written from her experience of caring for her dying husband
in the hope of helping others. It includes insight and discussion
on: Anticipatory Grief, Understanding and identifying pain, Pain Management
and Symptom Control, Chemotherapy, Palliative Care, Quality of Life
and Dying at home. It also features excerpts and poems from her personal
diary. Highly recommended by the Cancer Council. “Lean on Me”
is not available in bookstores - For detailed information, Doctor’s
recommendations, Reviews, Book Excerpts and Ordering Facility - visit
her website http://www.cancerthroughacarerseyes.jkwh.com
