PAIN RELIEF IN TERMINAL ILLNESS

(This material is for information only. All decisions should be made in consultation with your heath care provider.)

PAIN IS A CHOICE. SUFFERING IS OPTIONAL.

MAXIMUM RELIEF OF PAIN REQUIRES A COMBINATION OF:

• 1. Narcotics
• 2. Other medications
• 3. Alternative therapies
• 4. Mental/emotional/spiritual support

IN THESE TRAGIC SITUATIONS THE PERSON WHO IS DYING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT, AND MUST BE THE FOCUS OF ATTENTION. AS LONG AS THEY ARE ABLE, THEY MAKE ALL THE DECISIONS.

SUPPORT FROM FAMILY, LOVED ONES, CO-WORKERS, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AND OTHERS IS NECESSARY FOR THE MAXIMUM PAIN RELIEF IN THE TERMINALLY ILL.

FAMILY MEMBERS, LOVED ONES, CO-WORKERS, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AND OTHERS NEED TO BE SUPPORTED BY EACH OTHER AND BY THE PERSON DYING.

PAIN IS A CHOICE. SUFFERING IS OPTIONAL.

This is a scientific fact. It is not a religious or philosophical opinion. Some people may choose pain and/or suffering for a variety of reasons.

It is always possible to completely relieve pain and suffering. This is a choice that has many consequences, some of them undesirable. The decisions of the individual, and others, require a balancing of benefits and risks, pros and cons, advantages and costs. It may be quite challenging to make these complex decisions.

MAXIMUM RELIEF REQUIRES A COMBINATION APPROACH

1. Narcotics are the most important class of drugs in this area.

2. Some other classes of medications (not a complete list), with one or more generic examples:

• I. Salicylates (aspirin)
• II. Para-aminophenol derivitives (acetaminophen)
  . NSAID's (non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs)
  Propionic acid derivatives (ibuprofen)
• III. Tri-cyclic antidepressants (imipramine)
• IV. SSRI antidepressants (bupropion, sertaline)
• V. Other antidepressants (doxepin)
• VI. "Minor" tranquilizers (benzodiazepam, alprazolam)
• VII. "Major" tranquilizers (promethazine)
• VIII. Sedatives ("sleeping pills") (secobarbitol, chloral hydrate)
• IX. Stimulants (caffeine, cocaine, methamphetamine)
• XI. Major hallucinogic drugs
  Synthetic (LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide, N-N dimethyltryptamine)
  Organic (peyote, mushrooms)
  
• XII. Steroids:
  • A. Anti-inflammatory steroids (prednisone)
  • B. Anabolic steroids
  • C. Male and/or female hormones (testosterone)

3. Surgical interventions

4. Alternative therapies

• Accupuncture
• Hypnosis
• Chiropractic manipulation

5. Mental, emotional and spiritual support (see "Crisis response")

HOMEPAGE