Medicine against chronic tumor pain

How can medicine be used against chronic tumor pain?

1. Use the medicine regularly and follow the doctor´s prescription. If the pain goes away it means that the treatment is successful and not that there is a reason to stop using the medicine! The “settling in” of the treatment may take several days.
2. When new or worsening pain occurs, administer as “first aid” only that medicine which was prescribed for it by the doctor. Do not increase the amount of medicine used nor shorten the intervals. If your usage of “SOS medicine” is on the rise contact your doctor.
3. Pills should not be crushed, broken or diluted. This can change their effect. If you should do otherwise with a specific medicine, your doctor will tell you.
4. Do not use any other medicine without first consulting your doctor.
5. Remember that even vitamins or food supplements may change the effect of the medicine.
6. When dealing with older, tired or sleeping patients check to make sure the medicine is being properly used.
7. Do not be afraid to ask your doctor for a detailed explanation of how to administer the medicine. A good method is a detailed timetable written for a day or a week.
8. When taking a new medicine inform yourself of the possible side effects and try to endure them for a reasonable length of time. If they persist too long, contact your doctor.
9. Feared side effects of opioids (malaise, vomiting, tiredness) are transitory and the body will adjust to them quickly. However, constipation caused by opioids will not go away and it is necessary to fight against it throughout the treatment.
10. If your pain is effectively lessened by a certain analgetic, but its form or method of administration is not suitable for you, discuss it with your doctor. It is often possible to find a different method of application.
11. If you regularly drink alcohol do not hesitate to tell your doctor. A reasonable doctor will understand that when under severe pain abstinence is difficult for you and will appropriately modify your treatment.

MUDr. Marie Goldmannová

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