How to Get the Pain Management You Deserve
Pain management should be part of a healthcare provider's services. To get the pain management you deserve, be meticulous in keeping track of your pain and how it affects your life. Try writing things down. Explain your concerns in a clear format that your doctor can understand. Speaking with the nurse will alert the physician to spend more time focusing on your pain needs. Communication between physician and patients is crucial to successful pain management.
- Assess your pain needs. Take some time to make a list of when the pain starts, things that help relieve the pain and how it interferes with your daily living.
- Note the times of day when your pain is worse. Does the pain keep or wake you up at night? Is the pain worse first thing in the morning? Are there any other signs along with your pain such as nausea, headaches or inflamed or swollen joints? Do you get any rashes along with your pain?
- Take your list of symptoms and any questions with you to your doctor’s appointment. Be upfront and concise in describing your pain and how it affects you. Make sure your physician knows the treatments that you have tried at home.
- Ask for your doctor’s recommendations regarding pain. Be willing to try new ideas. There are many different ways to combat pain today. A combination of different therapies and medications are often helpful with chronic pain conditions.
- Make sure you understand the type of pain relief that is being prescribed to you. If it is a medication you will want to ask about side effects and any interactions with other medications. Include any herbal remedies that your take.
- Learn why you are having the pain and what options there are to treat it. This way, you and your physician are on the same page. Many doctors will start out with one therapy and move to another if one does not work.
- Ask about pain management for your particular needs.