One goal is to be as pain free as possible when you are in
treatment. You have enough other things to worry about without
trying to deal with unnecessary pain. You may feel that you have to
be totally brave and completely stoic. You don't.
You might be hesitant to take pain meds because you - or your
parents - are afraid you will become addicted to them. When given
in a controlled manner for short periods of time, addiction to
these drugs is not a worry. If you are on a certain drug for a
longer period of time, your body may become tolerant to it and you
may need to gradually taper off.
Don't be afraid to ask for pain meds if you need them.
Commonly used pain medications:
Pain relief drugs:
- Prednisone Morphine (Morphine)
- Oxycodone (Percocet)
- Methadone (Dolophine)
- Fentanyl (Fentanyl)
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
- Codeine (Codeine)
- Meperidine (Demerol)
Administered by:
These are usually given by injection, liquid, pill or IV. Sometimes
they are given as a rectal suppository.
Most common side effects:
- Sedation
- Light-headedness
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Sometimes nausea or vomiting
- Local anesthetic to prevent pain
- EMLA
EMLA is an anesthetic cream that numbs your skin. It's great if
you need to have a needle stick for an IV, access your medi-port,
or have an injection. It can also be used for procedures like
spinal taps and bone marrow aspirations.
All you have to do is apply it to your skin about 1-2 hours
before the procedure, cover it with an airtight dressing, and it
will numb the area. You don't feel a thing (if you wait long
enough). EMLA is only sold with a prescription.