Mesothelioma Pain Management

Mesothelioma patients should look at managing their pain as one of the most integral parts of their treatment process. There are two main ways of going about pain management, pharmaceutically and surgically, each making life for the patient easier. The main goal of pain management is to reduce pain, lower stress and allow patients to spend more time with their family and friends.

Mesothelioma Pain Medications

Doctors are able to provide a variety of different pain medications depending upon the level of pain a patient is experiencing. Pain medications are used to alleviate pain and are often taken on a regular basis.

Mesothelioma patients who experience mild pain are given prescription-strength acetaminophen or NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to help control their pain. Patients with a bit more intense pain will be prescribed opioids. Often, these pain medications are prescribed while undergoing other adjuvant therapies. The most severe pain is treated with much stronger drugs such as morphine and oxycodone.

Often time’s cancer causes pain flares that must be treated with more specific, immediate medication. It is important to speak with your doctor in order to receive medication for this circumstance in case it arises.

Radiation, Chemotherapy and Surgery Options

Doctors have a variety of treatment options when treating mesothelioma patients. They can use several different surgeries, radiation therapy and chemotherapy to help alleviate pain or reduce the size of a tumor and stabilize its growth.

Pain Medications Concerns

A common concern with patients and their families is the possibility of becoming addicted to pain medication. However, studies show only a small amount of patients actually become addicted to their medications. Patients should never refuse pain medication on the fear of becoming addicted to the drug. Mesothelioma doctors will have the best knowledge in gauging the proper dose and type of medication for the patient’s specific condition.

Alternative and Complementary Pain Management

Alternative therapy can be an excellent option for relieving cancer pain. However, not all alternative therapies have been sanctioned by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and there has been little research done to verify their validity, but the risks in undertaking them are very low. The upside for these therapies is many of them cost little to nothing at all to the patient. The NIH sanctions such methods as visualization, distraction, electronic stimulation and hypnosis in order to help cancer patients relieve their pain.