Problem 2: Controlling Pain

If you have advanced cancer, you may experience pain. Living with pain can result in very poor quality of life and can be exhausting. It is important that you realize that most pain can be treated effectively.

Pain can be controlled using pain-killing drugs called analgesics. Analgesics can include opioids (i.e. morphine) or non-opioids, such as acetaminophen, non-steroidal inflammatories (often referred to as NSAIDs), steroids or other drugs for specific types of pain. There are also a variety of other strategies that can be used besides medication, depending on the type and cause of pain.

Based on your personal assessment, this section will provide tips on taking pain medication in pill form and will suggest other methods (non-drug strategies) to help you control your pain.


Personal Assessment
  1. Are you currently taking medication for your pain?
    Yes No

  2. Is your current medication controlling your pain?
    Yes No

    If No, how severe is your pain on the pain scale:
    No Pain   Worst Pain Ever
    0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


  3. Are you taking your pain medication at regular intervals?
    Yes No

  4. Are you currently taking breakthrough doses of medication?
    Yes No

  5. Are you able to keep your medication down?
    Yes No Sometimes

  6. Are your side effects, such as constipation, dry mouth, nausea, drowsiness or difficulty concentrating, being controlled?
    Yes No Sometimes

  7. Have you tried non-drug methods of relieving your pain, such as hot/cold applications, rest, massage, etc.?
    Yes No Sometimes

If you login to your Care Journal, you can save profile results in your Care Journal.

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