Pain treatments work differently for different people. In order to receive the most effective treatment possible, talk to your healthcare provider about:

• Pain medicines you have taken in the past and how well they have worked for you
• Medicines, herbal supplements and other treatments you are taking now (including health foods, vitamins and other “non-medical” treatments)
• Allergies you have, including allergies to medicine
• Fears and concerns you have about the medicines or treatments

Your healthcare providers can help you become more comfortable with your treatment by answering your questions and helping you understand your pain treatment.

All medicines can have some side effects, but not everyone gets them. Most side effects occur in the first few days of treatment and gradually go away. Some of the most common side effects of pain medicines are:

• Constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sleepiness
• Slow breathing

Make sure to call your healthcare providers if you have any of these symptoms during your treatment and if they continue to be a problem.

This article is from “Pain Management During Your Inpatient Stay” by the University Hospital Pain Committee and used by NetWellness with permission, 2007.

For more information:

Go to the Pain Management health topic.