Managing Cancer Pain

No one likes to think about the symptoms of cancer such as Mesothelioma, but the fact remains that the disease will surely change the life of the afflicted.  Pain, brought on by the disease and perhaps by uncomfortable cancer treatments like surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, may become a reality of everyday life. 

In technical terms, pain is defined as a stimulus transmitted throughout the body by the central nervous system as a result of nerves detecting bodily damage. When damage occurs, an impulse is sent along nerve pathways to the brain, which interprets the impulses as pain.

Everyone is accustomed to acute pain; the kind that disappears by swallowing an aspirin, putting on a cast, or employing some other remedy that’s meant to relieve temporary pain caused by an injury or common illness.  Chronic pain, however, is of the long-lasting variety often associated with cancer and other serious illnesses and should be addressed so as to preserve a patient’s quality of life.

Chronic pain can affect many areas of life and when left untreated can leave a cancer sufferer feeling frustrated, depressed, helpless, and stressed.  It will affect one’s ability to

• Sleep – a good night’s sleep is essential for those suffering from Mesothelioma or related diseases.
• Eat properly – good nutrition means more energy and insures the intake of essential vitamins, both needed to fight infection.
• Work – those attempting to maintain a normal lifestyle may not be able to work, either at home or out of the home.
• Travel – trips to visit family and friends may be compromised or cancelled.

Pain caused by Mesothelioma or the treatments for this disease can indeed be managed if communication remains open between doctor and patient.  Doctors can not estimate the level of pain a cancer victim is experiencing.  Dialogues must be open and honest between the two parties and patients shouldn’t hesitate to ask for help.  This is not a sign of weakness!

As a cancer patient, your constant pain also affects those around you, including spouses, children, siblings, friends, and caregivers.  Not only will they be saddened by your pain but their job as supporters will be all the more difficult if your pain is out of control on a daily basis.

It often helps if you write down specifics about your pain so that you may accurately share them with your medical team.  In order to manage your pain properly, your doctor or nurse will need to know the following information. 

• The location of your pain and its intensity
• At what time of day your pain is most severe
• What factors cause an increase in pain
• How often your pain occurs and how long it lasts
• How it affects your lifestyle in regards to eating, sleeping, working, and other important aspects of your daily life.
• How much relief, if any, you are getting from current pain medications including over-the-counter pain relievers.

Many cancer sufferers seem reluctant to ask questions about their disease and its symptoms, possibly because the answers are too frightening.  However, you should always be informed as to:

• What medications are available to help control your chronic pain
• The side effects of each medicine
• How much is too much and how long you should continue taking a particular drug
• Whether pain medications will adversely interact with other drugs you may be taking

If you feel as if you’re taking too many opiates or dislike the side effects or the way the drug makes you feel, you might consider investigating alternative therapies and non-drug methods for controlling pain.  Doctors are usually not the best source of information for this topic but there’s a wealth of knowledge available from other sources about alternative solutions to your cancer pain.

Finally, if the pain becomes unmanageable, even with prescription drugs, be honest in communicating your end-of-life wishes with your caregiver, family, and medical team.  Often, though it may be a difficult topic, it’s best to discuss this issue before it happens, when you’re still able to address it with a clear mind.

Dealing with Mesothelioma and the pain it causes is frightening.  It’s best to be informed as to what’s ahead and the options available, in order to maintain as high a quality of life as possible.  For more information on the disease and managing its pain, order our helpful Mesothelioma Resource Kit, free from this website.