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To help
control your pain, your doctor may order medication
for you. After surgery, we may not be able to stop
all your pain, but we will help you to be as comfortable
as possible so you can rest and sleep. You will
be asked to rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10,
with 0 being no pain and 10 being severe pain. Reporting
your pain as a number helps the doctors and nurses
know how well your treatment is
working and indicates whether changes should be
made. Pain control will help you cough, deep breathe,
exercise and recover more quickly.
What method will be used to give
you pain relief medicines?
- Medicines given by mouth are
either in tablet or liquid form. Most pain medicine
is taken by mouth, however these medicines cannot
be used if you can take nothing by mouth or if
you are nauseated or vomiting.
- Injections into muscle or skin
are medicines given by shots.
- Injections given into a vein
are medicines given through a small tube called
an intravenous (IV) catheter. The tip of the tube
stays in the vein. A Patient Controlled Analgesia
pump (PCA) may be used. You will be taught how
and when to use the pump.
- Injections given into the spine
are medicines given through a small tube into
your back called an epidural or intrathecal catheter.
- Rectal suppositories are medicines
that dissolve in the rectum and are absorbed by
the body.
- Patches are medicines that
are placed on a patch and then the patch is placed
on the skin so the medicine can be absorbed into
the body (transdermal patches).
There are several non-drug pain
relief methods that are very effective:
Relaxation techniques
- Get in a comfortable position.
- Breathe in slowly while counting
to three.
- Breathe out slowly while counting
to three.
- Continue breathing in and
out in same manner.
Imagery
- Get in a comfortable position.
- Imagine you are in a place
you have found to be relaxing (i.e. beach, mountains).
- Breathe in and out slowly while
picturing this in your mind.
Music
- Get in a comfortable position.
- Listen to "easy listening"
music or your favorite type of music with your
eyes closed.
Massage and cold or hot packs.
Date Updated: 01-JAN-2005 |
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