Types of pain
Pain can last less than three to six months (acute), last a long time (chronic) or be severe and intense (breakthrough). Pain can come and go with injury, recovery or illness.
Your right to pain management
You have the right to have your pain managed. Proper treatment of pain is necessary for you to achieve the best results during your recovery.
If you do not think that your pain is being treated well, please tell a member of your health care team. He or she will talk with you about your pain and pain management needs.
Pain scale
Use a number scale (0 to 10) to rate your pain will help the health care team members know how severe your pain is and help them make decisions about how to treat it.
Your role in managing pain
After surgery, it is common to have some pain. Your nurse will monitor your pain level often and help you manage the pain.
Since you are the only one who knows where and how severe your pain is, you have an important part in managing your pain.
If you have pain, tell a member of your health care team.
All of the following information will help your health care provider prescribe the right medicine and therapy for your pain, and prevent serious side effects (complications). Tell a member of your health care team:
- where you feel pain and how much pain you have (use words to describe how the pain feels)
- what makes your pain better or worse
- what methods of pain control have worked or have not worked well in the past
- if you take pain medicines on a regular basis
- if you have allergies or reactions to pain medicine(s)
- your goals for managing your pain
- what vitamins, herbal and natural products you are taking
- if you smoke
- if you drink more than two alcoholic drinks each day
- if you take illegal (street) drugs
- if you are in a methadone maintenance program
Treatments for pain
Managing your pain is more than taking prescription (opioid) pain medicine. There are many different types of treatments for pain including:
- medicines
- physical therapy
- cold (ice packs)
- integrative therapies: music, relaxation techniques, massage, aromatherapy
- psychological therapies
- nerve blocks
Pain medicine side effects
All medicines have some side effects, but not everyone gets them. When side effects occur, it is usually within a few hours after taking the medicine. Most side effects can be managed and go away in time
Tell a member of your health care team right away if you have:
- constipation
- sleepiness
- dizziness
- itching, a rash or both
- upset stomach (nausea) and throwing up (vomiting)
- slowed breathing
- trouble concentrating
- forgetfulness
- increased anxiety
Pain control can help you
The right pain control can help:
- you be more comfortable
- you get back to your normal routine
- you participate more completely in your exercises and therapy
- promote healing
Before you go home
A member of your health care team will give you instructions for managing your pain at home. Be sure to have written instructions with a health care provider's name and phone number who will manage your pain after you go home.
It is important you follow any instructions you receive for taking pain medicine. Ask a member of your health care team if you need help.
Call the health care provider who prescribed the medicine or your primary care provider if you have concerns or side effects from pain medicine.