Pain Management

Opioids are powerful drugs. They control severe pain. But they can be dangerous or even life threatening if used incorrectly. Follow these guidelines for safe use.

Your surgery is done, and now it's time to focus on pain control and recovery. Most people can expect to have some pain after surgery. But it should never be unbearable. Your doctor wants you to be comfortable enough to take deep breaths and move as needed. This will help your recovery.

Opioids are a powerful class of drugs. They can control severe pain. But many people who use opioids experience some side effects. You should be aware of these side effects so you can use these drugs safely.

Because we all feel pain differently, managing it after surgery can be tricky. In the past, we focused mostly on medications. Often, these were opioids. But now, we use a mix of pain-fighting techniques. We call it the "multimodal" method. It deals with the whole body and the mind. And it can cut down on the need for opioids.

This form of constipation is linked to opioids. It's a common problem for patients who manage pain with these drugs.

Opioids are often prescribed to relieve the intense pain that accompanies a serious injury or surgical procedure. While opioids can be addictive, they are considered safe and effective for acute pain management if used for the shortest length of time and at the lowest effective dose necessary. A doctor who prescribes opioids for pain management should regularly monitor your pain levels with the goal of safely discontinuing their use when your pain is more manageable (or under control).

There is no medical test that can tell your healthcare provider what level of pain you might be experiencing following an injury or surgery. That information has to come from you as the patient. Learning how to honestly describe and rate your pain will help your doctor determine the best way to manage that pain and get you on the road to recovery.

When you are being treated for an injury, illness or a chronic condition, you may be asked to talk about the level of pain you feel. This can be tricky, because pain can be difficult to describe. Pain can cause many types of sensations, and what feels very painful for one person may not feel so bad for another.

A PCA or patient-controlled analgesia pump is one way to receive pain medication in the hospital. Your healthcare team will determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment, which allows you to push a button to receive medication directly into a vein when you experience pain. The pump is programmed so that you cannot give yourself too much.