Chronic Pain Medication
Treatment or Cure?

When the body’s pain response system breaks down, doctors will prescribe medications.   There are hundreds of drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, to choose from.  There are many things to consider, as some of these drugs can have dangerous side effects.  Some medications will fix the problem in the central nervous system and let you return to your normal activity level.   On the other hand, some medications take away pain, but can leave you unproductive and sedated.  If this happens, you should have a conversation with your doctor and describe what your “quality of life” is while on this medication. Remember, life is about living. 

Recently, commercials have advertised an FDA-approved medication for fibromyalgia, Lyrica.  It has the usual side effects of most pain medications.  Also, it works for some people and not others.  Some patients stay on this medication because they think it’s a “cure” for fibromyalgia. The reality is that it works to calm the central nervous system by bringing perceived pain from a level 10 to a level 5.   For patients for whom it works, it’s a miracle, allowing them to return to work and the life pain took away. For others, it leaves them sedated, frustrated, and wondering, “is there anything out there to help me?”

Good treatment of chronic pain requires a partnership between you and your health care provider.  Here are some guidelines to help you and your doctor choose the medication that can work for you.

Keep a pain journal.  Develop a perceived pain scale with 10 being intolerable pain and 1 being almost pain-free. Do this daily. Record your daily activities, mood, and sleep patterns. This will give you and the doctor insight as to what increases the pain.

Keep a drug journal.  This will include every medication the doctor has prescribed, how it affected you, the time of day you took the medication, and the dose.

Consider all options. There are many levels of drugs that provide pain relief. Each affects the brain differently.  Some patients need a multi-level approach by taking more than one drug to combat pain. Keep an open mind, as the doctor may suggest a combination of drugs.  These may include analgesics, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, anti-depressants, and opiates. 

Alternative therapies can add to pain relief.  Acupuncture, massage, yoga, chiropractic, exercise, and sleep hygiene can provide an additional 25% reduction in pain when combined with drug therapy. 

The Goal:  Get back to living your life.  Medication should reduce chronic pain to a tolerable level that will allow you to work, play, and have a good “quality of life.”

About the Author
Barbara Cacia, BSEd, is an Arthritis Exercise Specialist at “The Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Care Center”, a specialty program of Lattimore Physical Therapy, who counsels clients about sleep, nutrition, exercise, pain management, and stress management. She also teaches exercise classes for chronic pain at Pieters Family Life Center.  You can contact her at www.restoringyourenergy.com.