What about breakthrough pain???

Breakthrough pain is experienced by more than 80% of those suffering from chronic pain. Breakthrough pain are flare ups that break through the medication currently being taken for chronic pain. These flare ups are short in duration lasting anywhere from 3-30 minutes but are quite painful and distressing to the person. Management has to be aimed at decreasing the pain quickly with a medication that works quickly at relieving the breakthrough pain. Medications commonly given to treat chronic pain are not effective for breakthrough pain because those usually take 30-60 minutes to start working. It is important to speak to your physician if you are experiencing breakthrough pain to have correct pain management interventions.

National Pain Foundation. Breakthrough pain. Retrieved online from 
http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/articles/36/understanding-breakthrough-pain
Picture retrieved from google images. Part of webmd.com images

Pain alone should not be reason for surgical repair

Many patients feel that having surgery will get rid of the terrible back pain they are enduring. However, only a small portion of patients who have pain need back surgery. 90% of back pain sufferers can relief their pain through rehab and exercise therapy:  

Follow these guidelines to see if you are a candidate for surgery:

1. See a doctor quickly if the pain is accompanied by "red flag" symptoms; trouble urinating, leg      weakness, numbness or pain, fever or unintentional weight loss. 2. Allow a month to six weeks to see if the pain goes away. 3. Don't expect an X-ray or MRI right away.  Doctor will do if he/she suspects a serious problem. 4. Try over-the-counter pain relievers such as anti-inflammatories before seeking prescription pain        relief. Ice, heating pads and firm mattresses can help too. 5.  For pain lasting more than six weeks ask about rehabilitation or exercise therapy. 6. If surgery is recommended, be proactive, do your research and find out what the best options may        be for you, ask your physician what are the risks of surgery and what would happen if      you don't have surgery?  Ask for all other options you might try instead. Get a second opinion if       you do not agree with your doctor's advise.  Reference:  American College of Physicians/American Pain Society guidelines; National Institutes of Health; spine surgeons

Nurses suffer from pain too!

Nurses have the highest incidence of back pain every year,  40-50% of nurses have a back injury causing them time off from work. Nurses and back pain seem to be synonymous. Most nurses feel that it comes with the job. But does it really? Are we all doomed to have back pain and/ or injury just because we are nurses?

There are many things you can do to help your back. Use lift devices, gait belt, sliding boards, lift sheets, handbars and ask for help. Having an extra person to help makes a big difference. There are some hospitals now that have a lift team, but those are just a handful of hospitals. Make sure that you take care of your back so it will take care of you! Don't be another statistic!

http://nursing.advanceweb.com/editorial/content/editorial.aspx?cc=202549

Difference between acute and chronic pain

http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=3871864&height=267&width=200

Importance of understanding the difference between tolerance, dependence and addiction

  It is important to educate our clients on the difference between tolerance, dependence and addiction. Many people use these terms interchangeably. Many people are so afraid of becoming addicted that they suffer silently in pain. When treated appropriately, the goal of medication administration is to improve the quality of life of the individual. If the person is able to function; work, play, etc. then the medication is working. If the person is unable to function and are taking lots of medications then there is addiction. In all cases, there is treatment. Allow your clients to share their feelings about addiction, explain the difference and respect their choices. With dependence there may be withdrawals when the medication is stopped. To avoid this from happening the physician would recommend tapering the dosage down slowly. Dependence occurs with anything we put in our bodies on a regular basis. Remember the headache you get when you forget to drink coffee? That is your body withdrawn from the caffeine!

Fear of addiction

Pain is subjective

http://screencast.com/t/JbTIjW7E

I narrated this video. The video explains the difference between acute and chronic pain.