How to Ask My Doctor for Pain Killers
Chronic pain can get in the way of work, home and family relationships. It's hard to concentrate and function normally when you're physically suffering. There is no need to let pain rule your life. Doctors can prescribe a wide variety of pain killers to control or eliminate the problem. Your doctor won't know the extent of your pain unless you tell her. Talk to her about it and ask her to give you appropriate pain killers.
Instructions
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Describe the specific reasons why you need pain killers. Your doctor will most likely already be familiar with your medical condition. He needs to know how the symptoms of that condition are impairing your daily life. Tell him how pain gets in the way and how pain killers would improve your functioning.
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Describe your specific kind of pain to the doctor. CancerHelp UK recommends rating it on a scale of 1 to 10. Tell the doctor whether it is confined to one area or if it spreads. Tell him how frequently it occurs and how long it lasts. Describe what you have done so far to relieve it.
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Ask your doctor what kinds of pain killers would be most effective for your particular situation. There are many types of pain killers, ranging from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which might be appropriate for milder cases, to opiods such as codeine, oxycodone and morphine, which may be used for severe pain or illnesses such as cancer.
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Ask your doctor about potential side effects for the drugs she recommends. Most commonly used painkillers have mild side effects, such as stomach irritation, nausea, constipation and dry mouth. It's good to know what to expect even if they are not severe enough to keep you from taking the drug.
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Take your pain killers as directed. Some pain medications have the potential for addiction. Your doctor should warn you of this danger, and she will give you instructions for using the drugs appropriately. She may refuse to refill your prescription if she suspects you are abusing the pain killers.
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Tips & Warnings
Your general practitioner may be able to prescribe appropriate pain killers for you, but you may also wish to consult a pain management specialist. The American Society of Anesthesiologists says that doctors can become board certified in pain management. You can find these certified physicians through the American Board of Anesthesiology.
