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Cancer Pain Management Methods

One of the side effects of cancer is the uncontrollable pain you will feel at times. This pain can be caused by the cancer itself or the treatments you will undergo. Many patients feel at a loss when it comes to dealing with this pain as they feel they have no recourse. Managing the pain, however, is part of the cancer treatment. Through a variety of options, you can control the pain you feel from cancer, which will make you feel more at peace and help you combat this disease.

  1. Basic Pain Management

    • The best way you can treat your pain is through the use of medications. Talk to your doctor when you begin experiencing the pain and they will point you in the direction of a good pain reliever based on your symptoms. At first, this treatment may consist of a combination of NSAIDS like ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen and opinoids, which are prescription pain relievers. The important thing to note about these drugs is the side effects you may feel. NSAIDs, especially aspirin and ibuprofen can cause gastrointestinal issues. Opinoids can have slightly more serious side effects including constipation, nausea and vomiting, sleepiness and respiratory depression.

    Other drugs

    • Other pain medications are generally used to treat other medical conditions which have been found to be effective in the treatment of cancer pain. For example, antidepressants such as Elavil, Pamelor, and Norpramin have all been prescribed to patients with cancer pain. Also, anticonvulsants, normally used to stop seizures can help patients get relief from nerve pain. Corticisteroids work to reduce inflammation which can help blood flow and ease pain. When the cancer patient experiences bone pain, doctors have prescribed bisphosphonates, calcitonin and radiopharmacuticals.

    Radiation and Chemotherapy

    • While radiation and chemotherapy may cause a cancer patient pain, they may also help with alleviating the pain as well. Both of these procedures work to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. When the tumor shrinks, there should be a lessening of pain felt directly from tumors. Both of these treatments do come with some side effects. Radiation may cause you to get a skin rash.

      Chemotherapy has been known to have a variety of side effects such as mouth sores; pain in your nerves, feet, and hands; and nausea. Both of these treatments may also cause additional pain so be sure to speak to your doctor if you are using these as a pain relieving treatment. As these are normal treatments for cancer, you will probably not do this for pain unless your cancer has no cure.

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