Pain Management

Lourdes, as an organization, believes that comprehensive pain management is an interdisciplinary and collaborative effort that must address the physical, psychological, spiritual, cultural and social aspects of pain, as well as its management.

Lourdes also recognizes that appropriate pain management is critical in the care of our patients, and believes that all patients are entitled to a dignified, comprehensive, and collaborative approach to pain management. Your Primary Care Provider will work with you the patient, utilizing available resources, to achieve this goal.

Pain Relief

Pain relief is your right as a patient. This includes a quick response to reports of pain; assessment and reassessment of pain status; development with knowledgeable staff of an individual plan for pain relief and appropriate education in medications and other modalities. Help yourself by asking your provider for pain relief when you need it. Then find out how to take your medication safely and follow your provider's advice. It's your role in getting the best healthcare.

Taking Care of Pain is Important

It helps you feel stronger and cope better.

Pain can cause: Tiredness Worry Depression Loneliness Anger Stress

Pain can interfere with: Daily activities Sleeping Enjoying friends & family Interest in work & hobbies Eating Enjoying life

If You're in Pain, Get Relief

Medicine and other treatment can almost always relieve pain. Treating pain is an important part of good healthcare. Pain relief can also help you enjoy life more.

•  To get relief, talk to your doctor or nurse as soon as pain begins.
•  Work with your doctor and nurse to develop a pain management system.

• Tell your doctor and nurse about any worries you have about taking pain medication.

Help Your Doctor and Nurse Assess Your Pain

Tell them

•  All the places it hurts
•  How strong the pain feels
•  What the pain feels like:

aching bloating burning cramping comes & goes constant cutting dull numbing pressing

pressure pulling radiating searing sharp shooting soreness stabbing throbbing tightness

• What makes the pain better
• What makes the pain worse
• How much relief you get from medicines you now take
• If your pain is not relieved

Ask them

• What to expect regarding pain and pain management.
• What pain relief options are available.
•  What medicine they can give to relieve your pain.
•  How and when you should take the medicine and for how long.
•  What side effects are common and what you should do if they occur.
•  If you should try non-drug methods to relieve pain, like relaxation, massage exercise, acupuncture, heat or cold or physical therapy.

Don't Let Worries Like These Keep You in Pain

I'm afraid of becoming addicted.

Fact: When pain medicines are given and taken in the right way, patients rarely become addicted to them. To be sure, talk to the doctor, nurse or pharmacist about how to use pain medicines safely.

Many patients only need pain medicines for a time, until the cause of their pain goes away. When they are ready to stop taking the medicine, the doctor gradually lowers the amount of medicine they take. By the time they stop using it completely, the body has had time to adjust.

Some patients will need to take pain medicines for the long-term. Taking medicines regularly should not make you feel like an "addict." You are following your doctor's advice and getting the treatment you need.

I don't want to seem like a complainer.

Fact: You have to ask for pain relief. In fact, telling the doctor or nurse about pain is what all patients should do. The sooner you speak up, the better. It's often easier to control pain in its early stages, before it becomes sever.

I don't want to lose control.

Fact: Most people do not get "high" or lose control when they take pain medicines in the right way. You may feel sleepy when you first take some pain medicines, but this feeling often goes away after a few days.

A few people get dizzy or feel confused when they take pain medicines. Tell the doctor or nurse if this happens to you. Changing your dose or type of medicine usually can solve the problem.

Pain Control Record

We believe that you are the person who can most accurately describe your pain. We will believe your reports. We will respond promptly and will address your concerns even though complete relief may not always be possible.

We will ask you to rate your pain at least every 8 hours. Please keep a record until you and your nurse/doctor find the dose and frequency of medicine that provides satisfactory pain relief for you most of the time. After that, you only need to keep this record when you have problems related to your pain medicines.

At Lourdes, we use a 0 - 10 scale (0 = no pain; 10 = the worst pain imaginable). If you do not understand this scale, please tell us so that we may meet your needs using another rating system. If you need us to read it to you or provide it to you in another language, please tell us so that you can participate in your care.

Pain Management Resources

Compassion and Support - Pain Management Patient Guide from the Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST).

American College of Rheumatology - The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is an organization of and for physicians, health professionals, and scientists that advances rheumatology through programs of education, research, advocacy and practice support that foster excellence in the care of people with arthritis and rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. The ACR provides various educational information for patients. 

Effective Health Care - The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) was established in 1989 as the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Reauthorizing legislation passed in November 1999 establishes AHRQ as the lead Federal agency on quality research. AHRQ, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the lead agency charged with supporting research designed to improve the quality of health care, reduce its cost, and broaden access to essential services. AHRQ's broad programs of research bring practical, science-based information to medical practitioners and to consumers and other health care purchasers.

National Cancer Institute - Pain Control Booklet - This booklet will show you how to work with your doctors, nurses, and others to find the best way to control pain associated with cancer. It will discuss causes of pain, medicines, how to talk to your doctor, and other topics that may help you.

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) - Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes - NDIC was established in 1978 to increase knowledge and understanding about diabetes among patients, health care professionals, and the general public. To carry out this mission, NDIC works closely with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases' (NIDDK's) Diabetes Research and Training Centers; the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP); professional, patient, and voluntary associations; Government agencies; and State health departments to identify and respond to informational needs about diabetes and its management.

National Fibromyalgia Association - The National Fibromyalgia Association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is: To develop and execute programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia.

Mayo Clinic - Mayo Clinic's three main Web sites provide information and services from the world's first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group medical practice. Manage your health with information and tools that reflect the expertise of Mayo's 3,400 physicians and scientists, learn how to access medical services, and discover Mayo's medical research and education offerings.