Chronic pain affects millions of people worldwide and can have a significant impact on daily life. Unfortunately, many people who suffer from chronic pain struggle to communicate their experience to their healthcare providers. It’s hard to explain this stuff to people who have no clue! That can lead to suboptimal treatment and frustration.
This won’t be as much fun as my sarcastic post on this topic a few years ago. My hope is that this one will actually be helpful.
In this article, I will provide guidance on how to talk to your doctor about chronic pain. From preparing for your doctor’s visit to developing a pain management plan, I will cover key topics to ensure that you and your healthcare provider can work together to manage your chronic pain effectively.
Understanding Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than six months, even after an injury or illness has healed. Unlike acute pain, which serves as a warning signal to the body, chronic pain is a complex condition that can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
It can be caused by a variety of factors, from injuries to acute illnesses to long-term conditions. Other factors, such as stress and trauma, can also contribute to chronic pain. Note that doesn’t mean that pain is all in your head – it means that there are links between these things and pain that are proven.
There are different categories of pain, too. This can be based on where the pain is located, what type of pain it is, and how the pain came to be. Some types of pain include migraines, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, musculoskeletal pain, and nociceptive pain.
Preparing for Your Doctor’s Visit
It can be helpful to keep a pain journal to document the severity, location, and duration of your pain. This information can assist your doctor in determining the cause of your pain and developing a treatment plan. Some of us (waves) dislike doing that as it keeps our focus more on the pain than not, but there are still ways to track pain without being so in-depth. For example, I tend to post on social media about rough pain days. Then, the night before an appointment with a provider, I’ll go back over my social posts in the last few weeks to get a better picture of how my pain has been. It’s a much better set up for me. Your mileage may vary.
Make sure that you provide your doctor with a comprehensive medical history. You’ll want to keep them up to date on any changes, including surgeries, injuries, or illnesses. This can help them better understand your pain and tailor a treatment plan to your specific needs.
Finally, make sure to make a list of any questions or concerns you have about your pain. This can help you address all of your concerns during your visit.
Communicating About Your Chronic Pain
Be specific in describing the type of pain you are experiencing. This information can help your doctor determine the cause of your pain and develop an effective treatment plan. Some words that your doctor will understand include throbbing, radiating, intermittent, constant, and burning.
Use a pain scale to describe the intensity of your pain. That seemingly medieval one isn’t helpful for me, and it’s okay if it isn’t for you, either. Instead, I like to use the comparative pain scale. It’s much easier to use to communicate limitations and discuss how your pain affects your daily life. That includes activities that you are no longer able to do or how being in pain impacts your mental health. All of this information can help your doctor develop a treatment plan that addresses the impact of your pain on your quality of life.
I’ve pulled together a slightly better version of the pain scale, questions your provider may ask, questions you may want to ask, and ways to track your pain to can help you discuss with your providers here:
If you’d like to edit this on your own Canva account, click here and make a copy. If you’d like the PDF version, click here.
Discussing Treatment Options
Your doctor may recommend medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help manage your chronic pain. They might even recommend opiates or similar medications. This is less likely due to ongoing policy issues, at least in the United States.
Medications can be effective in reducing pain, but they can also come with side effects that may impact your daily life. Be sure to ask about potential side effects before starting or changing medications. It’s important to have an open and honest conversation with your doctor about what types of medications and therapies you’ve tried in the past, and what has or hasn’t worked for you. It’s also a good idea to keep track of any side effects you experience so you can discuss them with your doctor at your next appointment.
In addition to medications, there are several alternative or complementary therapies that can help with chronic pain.
Complementary medicine refers to practices that are used alongside traditional medicine to help manage pain and other symptoms. These may include herbal remedies, supplements, or mind-body practices like tai chi. Before trying any complementary medicine practices, be sure to talk to your doctor to ensure they are safe and won’t interact with any other medications you’re taking.
Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, massage, and hypnosis, may be effective in managing chronic pain. Some alternative therapies may interact with medications or be contraindicated for certain medical conditions. So, again, talk to your doctor first.
Physical therapy can be an effective treatment option for some types of chronic pain. Moving can be helpful to reduce pain levels for some people. As someone with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), I work with a physical therapist to strengthen and readjust how to move my body. It’s made all the difference. Your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist to develop a personalized treatment plan.
In some cases, surgery may be helpful or necessary to alleviate chronic pain. Your doctor can discuss surgical options with you and help determine whether it is an appropriate treatment option for your specific condition.
Developing a Chronic Pain Management Plan
When it comes to managing chronic pain, it’s important to have a personalized plan in place. Work with your doctor to craft a pain management plan that takes into account your unique needs and circumstances. This may include a combination of medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes.
When developing your plan, it’s important to set realistic goals. It may not be possible to completely eliminate your pain. That said, you can work towards reducing your symptoms and improving your overall quality of life.
Having a support network can also be an important part of your pain management plan. This may include friends and family members who can provide emotional support, or healthcare professionals who can offer guidance and expertise. This also includes taking care of your emotional and mental health.
Chronic pain takes a toll on everything, but especially emotional and mental health. It’s important to address these needs as well as your physical symptoms. The mind-body connection plays a crucial role in managing chronic pain. Stress, anxiety, and depression can all exacerbate pain symptoms. That’s especially true for conditions like fibromyalgia, EDS, and many types of arthritis.
Developing strategies for managing these emotions is key for overall health. Some people enjoy meditation or deep breathing exercises. Others find more relief through working with a therapist. If you’ve had traumatic experiences, working with a therapist to unpack that trauma can help with pain levels, too. It’s amazing how much our bodies really do keep the score.
Support groups can also be helpful. These can provide a safe space to talk about your experiences with others who understand what you’re going through. I personally am not the biggest fan, as these can often devolve into “I have it worse” conversations. That said, the groups run by the US Pain Foundation are the absolute best I’ve found. They even have specialized groups for the LGBTQ+ community, the BIPOC community, teens, and more. The LGBTQ+ group is run by my friend Sara Gehrig who is amazingly compassionate and creates a space safe for all members of the community. No transphobia here!
Follow-Up and Continued Care
Managing chronic pain is an ongoing process that requires continued care and attention by you and your provider.
Keep track of your symptoms and progress. Share this information with your doctor at each appointment. This can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about your treatment plan, including any updates or adjustments that may need to be made.
If you’re not getting relief from your pain, it’s okay to seek additional help. Same if you’re experiencing new or worsening symptoms that your provider is struggling to work with. Your doctor can refer you to pain specialists or other healthcare professionals who may be able to offer additional treatments or support.
Now, if you feel like your healthcare provider is not taking your chronic pain seriously? It may be helpful to seek a second opinion. Additionally, you can advocate for yourself by being clear and specific about your pain experience, bringing a pain journal to your appointments, and asking questions about treatment options. It’s also okay to bring a buddy with you to help you advocate, especially if you’re bringing someone who holds identities of power that you don’t. For instance, a Black person may want to bring a white person with them if they’re concerned that their provider isn’t listening to them because of race or ethnicity. A woman may want to bring a man if they’re concerned about sexism.
Remember, you have the right to adequate pain management. Even more than that, you deserve to work with healthcare providers who take your pain seriously.
Takeaway
Talking to your doctor about chronic pain can be challenging, but it is essential for finding the best treatment options. By communicating your pain experience, discussing treatment options, and developing a pain management plan, you can work with your healthcare provider to manage your chronic pain effectively. Remember to follow up with your doctor, track your progress, and adjust your treatment plan as needed. With the right approach, you can improve your quality of life and manage your chronic pain.