Did you know about the pain management instructions? These instructions can help you manage your pain at home and in other scenarios. It also guides how to manage your pain with or without medication, when you should call your doctor, and much more. Learn about pain management guidelines in this article. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.

Discharge instructions

Discharge instructions are a guide of steps that you can follow in different scenarios to manage your pain on your own and when you need to contact your pain management doctor to manage your pain. Here are the standard discharge guide instructions:

1. Contact your doctor or pain specialist if:

• You experience severe pain between medicine doses.
• You get more fatigued and sleepier after taking the medicine.
• You still feel pain even after taking medicine.
• You experience a new pain or feel different than before.
• You are experiencing constipation from prescribed new pain medicine that is not helpful with current treatment.
• If you have some questions or concerns about your condition, ask them.

2. Medications to manage pain:

• In this case, the doctor does not prescribe any medication to manage pain. You can take over-the-counter medication such as NSAIDs which include ibuprofen to decrease swelling, pain, and fever. However, some people may experience stomach bleeding or kidney problems. This medication can be taken without any prescription. However, if you’re taking blood-thinning medications, then ask whether NSAIDs are safe for you or not. Always check the label for directions or ask the pharmacist. However, do not give these drugs to children younger than 6 months without consulting with your doctor.
• You can take acetaminophen to reduce pain and fever. You can take it without consulting your doctor. Ask your doctor how much you should take and when and follow all directions carefully. Read the labels of all other medicines if they contain acetaminophen or ask your doctor or pharmacist. It can damage your liver if not taken correctly.
• Pain cream, gel, or patch can also be applied to your skin in painful areas.

3. Prescribed medicines to manage pain:

• Doctors may prescribe pain medicines such as opioids or narcotics to be used for short-term pain. Your doctor will guide you on how to take specific prescription pain medicine safely. Your doctor will also tell you about the common and severe side effects of the medicine and what to do to manage it. If some medicines contain acetaminophen, then, do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking with your doctor because too much acetaminophen can damage your liver.
• Muscle relaxers to reduce pain and muscle spasms.
• Steroids are used to decrease inflammation that causes pain.
• Anesthetic medicines may be injected in or around a nerve to block pain signals to the brain.
• Anxiety medicine decreases your anxiety, as its high levels can make pain management harder.
• Antidepressants may be used to reduce or prevent depression and anxiety symptoms. It is also used to treat nerve pain.
• Anticonvulsants are used to manage seizures and decrease chronic pain.

4. Prescription pain medicine safety:

Your doctor also gives you instructions based on the medicine you are taking. Instructions also include disposing of the medication you never use. These are the general guidelines:

• Take the medicine as directed: Take only the specific amount of medicine as prescribed. If you use a pain patch, then remove the old patch before applying a new one. Ask your provider before you stop taking prescribed pain medicine, particularly if you are taking it for more than 2 weeks. A sudden stop can cause a severe problem.
• Follow safety guidelines: Some medicines may cause drowsiness, slowed breathing, or concentration problems. Do not drink and drive or operate heavy machines while you use prescription medicines. Take pain medicine for 30 minutes before exercise or as directed.
• Manage side effects: Some food, alcohol, and other medicines may cause side effects combined with pain medicine. Your doctor will guide you on what to do if you develop any of those side effects.

5. How to manage your pain without medicine:

• Take plenty of rest: Rest is required for the body to heal. Sleep in the most comfortable position, for example, sleep upright or sideways. Use pillows to support painful areas. Tell your healthcare provider if the pain is keeping you awake from sleeping well.
• Apply heat or ice as directed: For heat, you can use a heat pack or heat pad set on low or a washcloth. Apply heat for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 hours for as many days as directed. For ice, you can use an ice pack or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover the bag with a towel before you put on painful areas. Apply it for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed.
• Elevate the painful areas above the level of your heart, if possible: This can help to decrease swelling and pain. Elevate your painful areas with the help of pillows and blankets.
• Apply compression with an elastic bandage as directed: Wrap an elastic bandage around the painful area. However, do not tighten the bandage. Instead, put 2 fingers between the bandage and your skin for optimal tautness.
• Share your routine with your doctor: Some activities in your routine may cause or worsen your pain. Your provider tells you ways to reduce pain. For example, you may change the time of pain medicine, so it becomes more effective during activities.
• Go to rehabilitation as directed: Rehab may include physical or occupational therapy to reduce your pain and improve your movement and strength. It also improves your daily activities. Your therapist may also use assistive devices. For example, a cane, a splint, crutches, or a walker to remove pressure or provide support. Braces or orthotics can help you stand and walk more easily.
• Ask about pain management techniques and devices: Meditation or aromatherapy can help you relax. Biofeedback can guide you on how to lower your breathing and heart rate when you are in pain. Massage therapy can relieve your tight muscles. Transcutaneous electrical stimulations (TENS) use mild, safe electrical signals to manage muscle control or nerve pain.
• Ask about surgery or other procedures to help relieve pain: These can include radio waves, thermal (heat), ultrasound, and laser therapy. Surgery may include blocking nerves or repairing joints, the cause of chronic pain.

6. Follow up with your doctor as directed:

Talk to your doctor about how you can manage your pain at home. Tell your doctor about your daily activities or any activity that causes pain. Your provider will make changes to your pain medications or refer you to a pain management specialist. Write down the questions you want to ask them during your visits.

This is the general guideline for pain management to manage your pain at home. If your pain is not controlled even with medications and other approaches, then you should call your doctor for consultation.

If you need any information regarding pain management standards, call us to get a consultation. For medical help, visit our clinic as our pain management specialists can diagnose your pain and give you the best treatment to remove or control the pain effectively. If you need help with chronic pain management, visit our pain management clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!!

Your pain needs professional assistance, visit our pain management clinic in Brooklyn today or call to get a consultation. The location at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212 is well-served by public transportation, including many bus routes, and the subway line. Visit our website at http://www.painmanagementbrooklyn.com/ or contact us on +1-347-384-5690 for additional details.