Your Care Instructions
Chronic pain is pain that lasts a long time (months or even years) and may or may not have a clear cause. It is different from acute pain, which usually does have a clear cause-like an injury or illness-and gets better over time. Chronic pain:
- Lasts over time but may vary from day to day.
- Does not go away despite efforts to end it.
- May disrupt your sleep and lead to fatigue.
- May cause depression or anxiety.
- May make your muscles tense, causing more pain.
- Can disrupt your work, hobbies, home life, and relationships with friends and family.
Chronic pain is a very real condition. It is not just in your head. Treatment can help and usually includes several methods used together, such as medicines, physiotherapy, exercise, and other treatments. Learning how to relax and changing negative thought patterns can also help you cope.
Chronic pain is complex. Taking an active role in your treatment will help you better manage your pain. Tell your doctor if you have trouble dealing with your pain. You may have to try several things before you find what works best for you.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter N004 in the search box to learn more about "Chronic Pain: Care Instructions".