Developing a plan to combat pain

Describing your pain to other people — whether they are family members, friends, colleagues or even health care providers — is among the biggest (and most frustrating) challenges reported by people living with pain. You may look fine on the outside, but you know pain can wreak havoc on your life.

The first step in developing a plan is talking with your doctor, nurse, and pharmacist about your pain. You need to be able to describe your pain to your family or friends, too. You may want to have your family or friends help you talk to your health care team about your pain, especially if you are too tired or in too much pain to talk to them yourself.

Your doctor, nurse, and pharmacist may also need to know:

  • The medicines you are taking now, including vitamins, minerals, herbs, and non-prescription medicines
  • The pain medicines you have taken in the past, including what has worked and not worked for you. You may want to keep records of this information.
  • Any known allergies to medicines, foods, dyes, or additives

Using a pain scale is helpful in describing how much pain you are feeling. To use the Pain Intensity Scale below, try to assign a number from 0 to 10 to your pain level. If you have no pain, use a 0. As the numbers get higher, they stand for pain that is getting worse. A 10 means it is the worst pain you can imagine.

As you explore different pain treatment options you need to consider the following:

  • Does my treatment option allow for prolonged use?
  • Does my diet have an impact on inflammation and pain?
  • Does my treatment option allow me do go things I need to do like go to work, run errands or exercise?
  • Am I allergic to any OTC pain treatment medications?
  • Am I willing to deal with the possible side effects of taking OTC pain medications?
  • Is my pain treatment safe and effective to use over time with continued use?
  • Does my pain detract from my quality of life?

As you look at different pain treatment options remember that pain is not to be taken lightly. If your pain continues or gets worse over time you need to see your doctor as soon as possible as it could be an indication of something more serious.