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Managing cancer pain:

Here are some common concerns people have about pain medicine and the facts about them

Concern: I will become "hooked" or addicted to pain medicine

Fact: Studies show that getting "hooked" or addicted to pain medicine is very rare.

Concern: If I take too much medicine, it will stop working.

Fact: The medicine will not stop working, but some times your body will get used to the medicine. This is called tolerance. Tolerance is not usually a problem with cancer pain treatment, because the amount of medicine can be changed or other medicines can be added. Cancer pain can be relieved, so do not deny yourself pain relief now.

Concern: I can only take medicine or other treatments when I have severe pain.

Fact: You should not wait until the pain becomes severe to take your medicine. Pain is much easier to control when is mild than when it is severe.

Concern: If I complain too much, I am not being a good patient.

Fact: Controlling your pain is an important part of your care. Tell your doctor or nurse if you have pain, if your pain is getting worse, or if you are taking pain medicine and it is not working. Tell them if you are having side-effects to the pain medicine. They can help you to get relief from your pain and control or eliminate the side effects.

Drugs used for pain management in children:

Non-Opioids: (NSAIDS, Acetaminophen), useful for bone pain, soft tissue pain, dysmenorrhea.

Opioids: Effective for most pain types including cancer pains. Morphine is the most commonly used agent.

Adjuvant analgesics: (antidepressants, anti-convulsants, corticosteroid, local anesthetics). Effective for pain caused due to involvement of nervous system.

Last created on 03-04-2002
Last updated on 01-07-2006