Cancer Pain (Discharge Care)

Cancer Pain

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Pain may be caused by cancer, treatment for cancer, or a procedure to diagnose cancer. A tumor or another condition caused by cancer may also cause pain. Your pain may get better after you finish treatment or if your cancer is in remission. Proper control of pain that continues can help improve your quality of life.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) or have someone call if:

You are breathing slower than usual, or you have trouble breathing.
You have trouble staying awake, or you lose consciousness.
You take too much pain medicine by mistake.
You have a seizure.

Seek care immediately if:

You have a fever.
Your pain gets worse, even after you take medicine.
You have new symptoms, such as numbness or tingling.

Call your doctor if:

You have side effects from your pain medicine, such as itching, nausea, or vomiting.
Your pain causes trouble sleeping.
You do not think your medicine is working.
You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Medicines: You may need any of the following:

Acetaminophen or NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, may help decrease pain and inflammation. Talk to your provider before you take these medicines if you are getting chemotherapy (chemo). Acetaminophen increases the risk for liver damage and NSAIDs increase the risk for kidney damage. Chemo can increase the risk for these problems even more. Your provider may recommend you wait to use these medicines until after you complete chemo.
Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
Local anesthetics can be rubbed on your skin or injected into a nerve or muscle to numb an area.
Other medicines may be given to decrease pain, inflammation, or muscle spasms.
Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Prescription pain medicine safety:

Take your medicine as directed. Take only the amount prescribed or recommended by your provider. Do not take more medicine if you have breakthrough pain. Too much medicine may cause breathing problems or other health issues. Tell your provider if your medicine does not control your pain.
Do not mix prescription pain medicines. This can cause an overdose of medicine, which can become life-threatening. Read the medicine labels. Make sure you know the ingredients in all your medicines.
Store prescription pain medicine in a safe place at home. Keep your medicine away from children and other people. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Help manage your pain:

Apply heat or ice to the area. Heat helps decrease muscle spasms. Ice helps decrease inflammation. Your healthcare provider may recommend only heat or ice, or you may be told to alternate. For heat, use a heat pack, heating pad, or a warm washcloth. Apply heat for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 hours for as many days as directed. For ice, use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover the ice pack with a towel before you place it on your skin. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed.
Be physically active, as directed. Physical activity such as exercise can help decrease pain and improve your body function. Ask your healthcare provider about the best exercise plan for you.
Practice mindfulness or relaxation techniques. Yoga, meditation, or deep breathing can help you relax and distract you from thinking about your pain.
Join a support group. It may be helpful for you to talk with others who have similar conditions. Tell your healthcare provider, family, or friends about your feelings. Your provider can give you resources to help you cope.

Follow up with your doctor as directed: You may be referred to a pain specialist. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.