Pain is any feeling that causes you discomfort. It is important to know that not all cancer causes pain and that not all pain is cancer-related. It is “normal” to have a headache or joint pain once in a while!

Because you are living with cancer, your physician and nurse are especially interested in any new discomfort that you might have. In order to accurately report what you are experiencing, consider the following questions:

1. Where is the pain located?
2. When did it start?
3. How severe is the pain?
4. What makes the pain better? Or worse?

RATE YOUR PAIN ON A SCALE FROM 0 TO 10
0	5	10
No Pain	Moderate Pain	Worse Pain

PAIN CAN BE RELIEVED BY FOLLOWING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS:

• For chronic pain take pain medication on a regular schedule to prevent pain from recurring.
• Notify your doctor if your pain medicine is not working.
• The side effects of pain medicine are constipation, dry mouth and drowsiness (especially when you are just starting the medicine).
• Preventing constipation when you take medicine for pain is so important. Pain medicine causes constipation, so nearly everyone has to take stool softeners and laxatives to prevent problems.
• Learn how to help your body and mind relax.
• Try to distract yourself with TV, music, etc.

Pain is exhausting. Get plenty of rest. When you are tired, pain seems worse and coping with daily life is more difficult.