|
Glossary of terms
Patient rights/responsibilities
Questions you should ask
Palliative care
Myths about pain
Resource center
Upcoming events
|
|
- Be prepared when calling your doctor.
- Obtain copies of all tests, reports from other doctors (surgeons, neurologists, family practice, etc.) and mental health records. If you have been treated for alcohol drug abuse in the past, include those records.
- DO NOT hide visits with other doctors, hospitals or urgent care.
- Bring all of your medicines with you. This will help the doctor get a complete list of the type of medication you are taking and the times. If you are taking more or less of the medicine ordered, be honest with the doctor.
- If you are taking medication from a friend or family member or any street drugs tell the doctor.
- If you are using herbs, vitamins or minerals or over-the-counter medications tell the doctor.
- Be honest about alcohol use. Not telling the doctor about other drugs or alcohol can lead to poor pain treatment. Finding out later may cause your doctor to mistrust you.
- Use the proper name for the medicines you are taking.
- List all medications tried in your past related to your pain (with amount and how often). The results of each medication tried should be listed. This will help the doctor to know things that haven’t worked before.
- Report past surgeries, injections or blocks that were related to your pain. Describe whether they worked or didn’t work.
- Include all non-drug treatments you have tried, and how they have worked. For example: ice, heat, massage,TENS unit, acupuncture, physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, psychological therapy, chronic pain program, drug rehabilitation, etc.
- Use a scale to describe your pain. Most doctors know the 0-10 scale with “0” being no pain and “10” being the worst pain. Tell your doctor if the pain is better or worse in percentages, such as 50% better/worse than before. Ask your doctor if you do not know how to use a scale.
- Describe things that increase or decrease your pain. Use words to describe the pain. Tell your doctor where the pain is or moves to. This may help your doctor find the cause of your pain.
- Report worry and depression, stress, or things in the past that may be making your pain worse. This helps the doctor to treat all aspects of your pain.
- Keep a diary if you are on new medication or trying new treatments. It may help you decide what is helping, causing problems or side effects, or not helping.
- Report problems in sleep and daily activities (bathing, doing laundry, driving, etc.) that are affected by your pain.
- Report Worker’s Compensation, Disability, or any lawsuits involved with your pain.
- Discuss financial or insurance worries, housing and people in your home that affect your pain.
- List who can help you at home with your pain.
- Tell your doctor if you are alone most of the time.
|
 |
