May 17 2008
Chronic Pain Tips for Caregivers: Going to the Doctors
If you are a caregiver for a loved one with a chronic pain condition, you realize the importance of asking the right questions at each and every appointment you take them to. Your loved one may be too embarrassed to ask certain key questions or the doctor may not specifically ask about the pain. These are the questions that should be answered and reported when you take your loved one to a chronic pain health appointment.
1) Have they had this pain before, if so how long has it gone on and does it hurt more or less than before? How long does it last and is it progressing to be worse than before?
2) Have you taken anything for the pain, did it work and if it hasn’t worked then what else has been tried to relieve the pain?
3) When did the pain start?
4) Where does it hurt? Has the pain moved or stayed in the same spot?
5) Describe the pain. Using the McGill Pain Scale can help you find the right words.
6) Use the Pain Diary to find the strength or weakness of the pain. Is this pain worse at certain times of the day, after a certain activity is done, or with certain weather?
7) Does it affect their sleep, fatigue level, mood, and appetite?
