Living With Pain

Recently Answered

• QHow will my pain be managed after surgery?

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  A American Society of Anesthesiologists answered

  There are several ways to achieve pain control after surgery:

  • Pain medications administered by mouth—this will likely be used if your pain is not very severe.
  • Intravenous pain medications—there are many types of pain medications including narcotics and non-narcotics that can be administered into your intravenous catheter (IV) directly. Commonly, these medications can be administered through a pump called the PCA (patient controlled analgesia) that can be activated by you at the push of a button.
  • If you have regional anesthesia—a catheter (a small tube) may be left in place for the administration of local anesthetics and/or narcotics which will give you continuous pain relief after surgery.
• QCan swearing help me cope with pain?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  While you should avoid it front of the kids, research shows that your brain and body cope better with what’s bothering you when you swear! In one study, researchers had people dip their hands in an ice bath. Participants who swore were able to tolerate the pain better. It seems swearing increased those participants’ heart rates, which may trigger a fight-or-flight response, allowing the body to tolerate or even ignore pain. You can even start a swear jar and double the benefits!
• QHow is pain associated with sleeping problems in older adults?

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  A Dr. Audrey K. Chun, MD , Geriatric Medicine, answered on behalf of The Mount Sinai Health System

  A study published online in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society evaluated pain severity and distribution in relation to sleep difficulties among 765 people age 64 and older. Pain severity was measured using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Pain Severity Subscale, and grouped according to no pain, single site, two or more sites, and widespread pain (upper and lower extremities and back pain).
  
  Three aspects of sleep difficulty were measured using items from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Revised (trouble getting to sleep, sleep more than usual, and restless sleep). Prevalence of trouble getting to sleep according to BPI severity was 17.8%, 19.7%, 32%, and 37%, respectively, for the lowest to highest pain severity quartiles. Sleeping more than usual and restless sleep had similar relationships to BPI severity. Overall, chronic pain was strongly associated with trouble sleeping. If pain is keeping you awake at night, consult your doctor.
• QHow can I prevent pain while sleeping?

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  A RealAge answered

  To help prevent pain while sleeping, make sure your mattress is on the firm, less-saggy side, and choose sleep positions more likely to bring comfy sleep and pain-free mornings: on your back with a bolster or pillow under your knees, or on your side with your knees slightly bent and a pillow between them. For your neck, choose a pillow that keeps it aligned with the rest of your spine, rather than at a crooked, muscle-stiffening angle.

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• QHow does pain interfere with sleep?

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  A Debra Fulghum Bruce PhD , Healthcare, answered

  If you can’t sleep, you’re not alone—pain is the number one leading cause of insomnia. Whether from difficulty getting to sleep or problems maintaining sleep, 65 percent of those individuals who suffer from pain claim they “never” get quality sleep. In fact, about 42 million people in the United States report that pain or physical discomfort disrupts their sleep a few nights a week or more. We know that people who have pain experience less deep sleep, more arousals and disruptions with waking as well as less efficient sleep.

  Most patients with fibromyalgia, a painful arthritis-like syndrome that causes deep muscle aches, fatigue, anxiety, and depression, have difficulty sleeping and feel unrefreshed in the morning. Research shows that many individuals with fibromyalgia have symptoms suggestive of pathologic sleep disturbances like obstructive sleep apnea (brief periods of cessation of breathing) and restless legs syndrome.

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• QHow can eating protein help people with chronic pain?

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  A Dr. Howard S. Smith , Pain Medicine, answered

  If pain leaves you feeling fatigued and lifeless, you may want to increase the amount of protein you eat, particularly foods like tuna, chicken, or turkey that are rich in an amino acid called tyrosine. When we eat protein food, this increases tyrosine, which boosts the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, two brain neurotransmitters that increase a feeling of alertness and boost concentration. Protein is also important in repairing body tissue and in fighting infection. Too little protein can lead to symptoms of weakness, apathy, and poor immunity. (The average-size woman needs about 45 to 55 grams of protein each day, but you may need more protein if you have fever or infection.) One ounce of meat, chicken, cheese, or fish provides 7 grams of protein; 1 cup of milk provides 8 grams of protein. Vegetable proteins, such as black beans or tofu, can make a good substitute for animal protein. Make sure you include a protein source several times daily, particularly at times when you feel fatigued and need to clear your mind. High-protein foods rich in tyrosine include: legumes and peas, beef, cheese, fish, milk, poultry, soy products, and yogurt.
• QHow should I prepare for post-surgical pain?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Most surgeries produce residual acute pain that needs to be managed after the procedure is complete. Before surgery, you should talk to your doctor about how this pain will be treated. You should describe pain you have had in the past and pain you are still experiencing now. It is important to tell your doctor about medications you are currently taking, as well as your drug and alcohol consumption. Get a general idea of how long the pain is expected to last, and plan accordingly; returning to normal activities may be difficult until the pain recedes. If you have any concerns about painkilling prescription medication (side effects, addictive potential, etc.), read the medication guides or talk to a pharmacist before you take them. Try to arrange for a trusted person to be with you when you take them, and use only as prescribed.

• QHow do I deal with post-operative pain?

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  A NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered

  Be Realistic - Pain usually decreases significantly within two weeks following surgery. Ghansham Cheta, a physician’s assistant with the pain-management team who has treated dozens of patients, reports that having reasonable expectations will go a long way in your recovery. “You probably won’t be pain free when you get home. You should anticipate some soreness after major surgery."
  
  Don't Tough It Out - Treating pain promptly is always best. Don't delay taking the prescribed medication when the pain starts. Failing to treat pain can interfere with the healing process and cause depression in some patients.
  
  Education Is Key Understanding - What you are taking and how it works will help you recover faster. One important consideration: medication that you take by mouth takes 30–45minutes longer to start working than the same drug taken by IV in the hospital. Don’t hesitate to contact your doctor with your questions and concerns about your medication.
• QWhat are the latest recommendations to manage pain after surgery?

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  A Dr. Stuart A. Linder, MD , Plastic Surgery, answered

  In my practice my patients are normally started on Vicodin ES once they arrive home or to the aftercare facility. Tylenol #3 may also be used in patients who do not tolerate vicodin. In the past Darvocett N-100 was used for patients who became nauseated with codeine. It however has recently been taken off the market. Interestingly, ice compression of our surgical site (breasts, abdomen, thighs) greatly reduces swelling and pain early on and can be quite helpful. Anxiolytics such as valium can also be used to relax both the mind and the body. Finally, muscle relaxants such as Flexeril is useful on our breast augmentation and abdominoplasty patients who have had subpectoral implants placed or tightening of the rectus muscles.

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• QWhat are conservative ways to manage pain?

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  A Dr. Juan P. Villablanca, MD , Neuroradiology, answered on behalf of UCLA Health

  There are a number of conservative ways to manage pain. These include massage therapy, physical therapy and any type of exercise therapy. An exercise regimen that has been developed for you, taking into account your medical condition, can be an ideal way to manage pain. Taking medication, including pills you swallow or pain patches that you apply to your skin, also can be a conservative way to manage pain. Anything that is noninvasive and does not require a needle to deliver it is considered a conservative treatment.