Pain does not have to be a lifestyle, in-fact many people are finding great relief form more natural options like stem cell therapy, electric medicine, and more natural solutions. But if you do have pain, there are many different kinds of medicines, different ways to take the medicines, and non-drug methods that can help relieve it.

You should never accept pain as a normal part of having cancer. All pain can be treated, and most pain can be controlled or relieved.

The type of pain you have determines the type of treatment you will need to best relieve it. People with cancer pain often notice that their pain changes throughout the day.

What causes pain in people with cancer?

The American Cancer Society has long maintained that pain is usually caused by the cancer itself. The amount of pain you have depends on the type of cancer, its stage and your tolerance for pain. People with advanced cancer are more likely to have pain.

Pain can also be caused by cancer-related treatment or tests. You may also have pain that has nothing to do with the cancer or its treatment. Like anyone, you can get headaches, muscle strains, and other aches and pains.

Pain from the cancer can be caused by a tumor pressing on bones, nerves, or body organs. When a tumor spreads to the spine, it can press on the spinal cord. This is called spinal cord compression.

The first sign of compression is usually back and/or neck pain, sometimes with pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg. Coughing, sneezing, or other movements often make it worse. If you have this pain, get help right away. This compression must be treated quickly to keep you from losing control of your bladder or bowel or being paralyzed.

Some tests used to diagnose cancer and see how well treatment is working are painful. If such a procedure is needed, concern about pain should not keep you from having it done. Any pain you have during and after the procedure can usually be relieved. You may be told that the pain from the procedure can’t be avoided or that it won’t last long…don’t accept this, you should ask for pain medicine if you need it.

Surgical pain: Surgery is often part of the treatment for cancers that grow as solid tumors. With surgery, some amount of pain is usually expected. You’ll be given pain medicines so you won’t be in pain when your surgery is over. Pain due to surgery can last from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the type of surgery.

Phantom pain: Phantom pain is a longer-lasting effect of surgery, beyond the usual surgical pain. If you’ve had an arm, leg, or even a breast removed, you may still feel pain or other unusual or unpleasant feelings that seem to be coming from the absent (phantom) body part. We doctors are not sure why this happens, but phantom pain is real; it’s not “all in your head.”

Side effects of treatments: Some treatment side effects cause pain. Pain can even cause some people to stop treatment if it’s not managed. Talk to your cancer care team about any changes you notice or any pain you have.

Here are some examples of pain caused by cancer treatment:
Peripheral neuropathy (PN). Pain, burning, tingling, numbness, weakness, clumsiness, trouble walking, or unusual sensations in the hands and arms and/or legs and feet. Peripheral neuropathy is due to nerve damage caused by certain types of chemotherapy, by vitamin deficiencies, cancer, and other problems. Be sure to tell your doctor right away if you notice these kinds of problems.

Mouth sores (stomatitis or mucositis). Chemotherapy can cause sores and pain in the mouth and throat. The pain can cause people to have trouble eating, drinking, and even talking.

Radiation mucositis and other radiation injuries. Pain from external radiation depends on the part of the body that’s treated. Radiation can cause skin burns, mucositis (mouth sores), and scarring – all of which can cause pain. The throat, intestine, and bladder are also prone to radiation injury, and you may have pain if these areas are treated.
Kozmary Pain Relief Center specializes in treating ALL pain including pain from cancer.

The specialty of pain management has grown tremendously over the last twenty-five years. There are many treatments that are now available for the relief of cancer pain.

No one should go untreated.

Sometimes people are afraid of the side effects of the pain medications. If they are appropriately administered and monitored, there are rare side effects.

If there is any bothersome pain or pain that interferes with your life or that persists, report it to your doctor. Let your doctor know if you’re having pain. If you’re not getting the answers you need from your physician, request a referral of get pre-screened