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Two Methods:Using Verified MethodsUsing Unverified Methods

Cancer can be very painful, affecting various body parts and causing both acute and chronic pain. Although dealing with cancer can be very tiring and emotionally draining, learning to control your pain can be a valuable way to help yourself feel better. You can control pain with a variety of scientifically-verified methods, and unverified folk remedies.

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EditMethod 1 of 2: Using Verified Methods

  1. 1
    Use an over-the-counter painkiller to manage mild pain. You can easily buy over-the-counter medicines to manage your daily pain.[1]
    • These OTC medicines include NSAIDs, a popular class of anti-inflammatory drugs that help block the pain receptors in your brain from receiving pain signals.
    • NSAIDs are usually recommended for bone or muscle pain, because they reduce the irritation and swelling that can put pressure on the affected body part.
    • NSAID's are available in tablets, injections, liquids, suppositories, effervescent sachets, and topical creams.
    • NSAIDs include acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), and sodium naproxen (Aleve).
    • Do not take NSAIDs if you suffer from a gastrointestinal disorder, peptic ulcers, or are taking blood thinners.
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  2. 2
    Get moderate opioid painkillers to address moderate pain. If OTC painkillers and NSAIDs don't effectively manage your pain, you may ask your doctor for a prescription to receive stronger painkillers.
    • Opioid painkillers such as codeine and tramadol can help manage moderate pain, but something stronger like morphine may be necessary for severe pain.
    • Your oncologist is the only person who can determine what medicine is suitable to manage your pain, so don't try to self-prescribe.
  3. 3
    Talk to your doctor about getting morphine treatment to manage increasingly severe pain. Your doctor will give you a moderate painkiller first, then gradually move you to stronger or higher doses according to your pain state and your response to the medication.
    • You need to be under observation when using morphine, because it has the potential for side effects.
    • Morphine is available in many dosage forms, such as:
      • Sustained release tablets, to be taken once or twice daily.
      • Immediate release tablets or liquid, to be taken every 2 to 4 hours.
      • Injections to be given directly or through a drip in a hospital.
      • Subcutaneous injections.
      • Dissolved tablets under the tongue.
      • Patches stuck directly to the skin.
  4. 4
    Adhere to the therapy plan written by your doctor to avoid the sudden onset of pain. It’s very important that you take all your medications as instructed by your doctor, because skipping any of your doses can result in severe pain and possible nerve damage.[2]
    • Nerve damage will make the pain uncontrollable in the future and will speed the progression of neuropathy.
    • If you felt pain before your next scheduled dose, ask your doctor to increase your dose or change the dosage form you’re taking.
    • If you have sudden breakthrough pain, take an immediate release painkiller even if you have already taken one of the sustained release forms.
    • However, don’t repeat taking the sustained release type, as extra amounts of a heavy narcotic in your bloodstream can cause an overdose.
    • Morphine can cause constipation, dry mouth, and itching or blurred vision.
  5. 5
    Take antidepressants to reduce neuropathic pain (pain caused by damage to nerve tissue). Antidepressants, such as SSRIs, have a positive effect in controlling the burning or prickling sensation caused by neuropathic pain.
    • These medications can also be useful in treating the depression that may accompany your fight against cancer.
    • Examples are: Fluoxetine (Prozac) and Sertraline (Lustral).
    • Side effects can include dry mouth or drowsiness.
  6. 6
    Use steroids to decrease inflammation. Your doctor can prescribe steroids to decrease the swelling around a tumor.
    • Decreased swelling reduces the squeezing effect on the affected site, alleviating pain and pressure on the body part.
    • Examples of commonly used steroids are Prednisolone and Dexamethasone.
  7. 7
    Take biphosphates to reduce bone damage. Biphosphates can ease bone pain by reducing or delaying the damage done to the bone tissues by cancer.
    • Biphosphates can be used to treat breast and prostate cancers and myeloma.
    • Side effects of biphosphates include diarrhea and muscle aches.
  8. 8
    Use local anesthetics to treat specific pain sites. Local anesthetics can be useful in certain cases of localized pain, such as mouth ulcers.
    • Local anasthetics are commonly found as gel formulas, such as Orabase.
    • These gels form a protective layer on the ulcer that insulates it from painful sensations.
    • Getting an epidural anesthetic can treat severe back pain, by directly injecting medication into your spine.

EditMethod 2 of 2: Using Unverified Methods

  1. 1
    Breathe in pleasant aromas to relax and reduce inflammation. Try using aromatherapy, which is based on inhaling the vapors of essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, jasmine, or peppermint oils in a warm bath.
    • You can also get aromatherapy during a massage or as part of a cold compress, applied directly to the site of pain.
    • Aromatherapy can decrease inflammation, relax muscles, improve your anxiety, maintain your sleep pattern, and reduce nausea.
  2. 2
    Try acupuncture to reduce cancer symptoms. During acupuncture, certain parts of your body are identified as pain sources and punctured with fine needles.
    • These needles go under the surface of your skin and remain there for a while.
    • This can help stimulate the natural chemicals inside your body, including endorphins (pain-relieving neurochemicals) that will improve your symptoms, relieving pain, stress, and anxiety.
  3. 3
    Take herbal drugs to treat cancer pain naturally. Taking herbal drugs is a natural treatment aimed at restoring your immune system and your body's natural ability to fight diseases.
    • They may help your body naturally fight off the pain caused by your cancer.
    • In addition to enhancing your physical and emotional state, a good herbalist will know your family and medical history, plus your medical condition, and will be able to determine the best herb to help you.
    • Herbs can be used raw, or in any pharmaceutical preparation such as tablets, tea packets, or liquids.
    • Herbal remedies can also decrease anxiety and insomnia.
  4. 4
    Use visualization to improve your mental state. During visualization, you try to imagine a scene or a place that will make you feel comforted and happy.
    • You can try doing this by thinking of a place or memory that makes you happy, and visualizing it in detail.
    • This can improve your mood and help you control cancer symptoms and reduce the severity of pain, stress, and tiredness.
  5. 5
    Perform yoga exercises to improve fitness. Doing yoga can help improve your overall health, allowing all your body parts to work together, including the brain, muscles, nerves, and lungs.[3]
    • When you achieve better fitness and awareness of your body, this can help ease your symptoms and clarify your mind.
    • Yoga can also help alleviate stress and depression, and enhance your general mood.
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EditSources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/cancer/article.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/coping-with-cancer/coping-physically/pain/types-and-causes-of-cancer-pain
  3. ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001289.htm




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