Anxiety, tension and depression can add to your pain. They do not necessarily cause pain, but they can compound the pain experience.  One of the major benefits of achieving pain relief is that anxiety is also reduced.

When you experience pain, it is important to understand the preventive approach.  An important part of that approach involves taking pain medication on a regular basis instead of simply as needed.  If you wait too long to take your pain medication, the pain can become so severe that the medication is no longer effective.  Taking medication as scheduled will help prevent pain from returning.  Once you become pain free, it is important to continue the medication schedule set up by your nurse as a preventative measure.

Many people who take pain medications express concern about the possibility of addiction.  It is important to understand the definition of addiction and other terms related to the use of drugs.

Drug abuse is the use of a drug in a manner that is not medically necessary.  Addiction is a pattern of overwhelming desire in obtaining and using a drug for its effects on the mind.  If you are concerned about things, just ask yourself the following question: “If I didn’t have pain, would I be taking this medication?” Your answer is probably, “Of course not!”

Non-opioids are pain medications which are used to treat mild or moderate pain.  Two well-known non-opioids are aspirin and acetaminophen.  Both of these drugs can be very effective for many types of pain.  They may be all you need to find relief, or you may need to take them along with another medication.

There are other non-opioid drugs which are helpful in the relief of pain.  These include medications to treat depression, muscle tension, anxiety, inflammation and others.  Whenever you receive a prescription for such a medication, your Hospice nurse will discuss its purpose, side effects and actions with you.

Opioids are used for the relief of more severe pain.  They are available only by prescription.  Many people are concerned about the possibility of addiction with opioids.  Again, it is important to remember that the only reason you are taking these medications is the relief of pain.  This is an appropriate use of opioids.

Opioids come in many different forms-pills, oral liquids, topical gels, rectal suppositories and injections.  A common myth about these medications is that an injection is necessary to achieve the best pain relief.  That is not the case.  The proper amount of medication taken by mouth will be equally as effective as injections.

In most cases, the appropriate use of opioids will relieve your pain.  If your pain is not adequately controlled, your doctor may want to increase the dosage or increase the number of times you take medication each day.

• Pain medication for chronic pain needs to be taken at regular intervals. The hospice nurse will help you establish the best times to use the medication.
• Pain medication can be taken before the patient experiences pain.
• Record the time you take your pain medication.
• All opioids need a written prescription signed by the doctor to be refilled.
• Opioids are likely to have a constipating effect on the bowels.
• Opioids often cause the patient to become sleepy, but as the body adjusts to the narcotic the sleepiness should diminish.
• Non-opioids such as ibuprofen should be taken with food if possible.
• Do not crush long-acting narcotic pills.  If the patient is unable to swallow, tell the hospice nurse.  A different route or medication may be indicated.

• Your loved one is unable to take the medication as prescribed.
• Pain is experienced in new areas.
• There is an increase in the intensity of pain.
• There are concerns among family members about over-sedation.
• The patient experiences symptoms of confusion, restlessness, “bad dreams” or hallucinations.
• The loved one experiences nausea and/or vomiting.