Don't Ignore Pain

Only you know how much pain you’re in. Tell your doctor or nurse when you feel pain or if it comes back after it goes away. Talk about your pain level throughout your stay.

Ask yourself, then share with your nurse:

• Where does it hurt?
  
• When does it hurt?
• What makes it feel better or worse?
  
• Does it keep you from doing things like sleeping, dressing, or eating?

You can also use words like this to describe your pain: aching, bloating, pulling, constant, numbing, sharp, and searing.

Starting to get uncomfortable? Pain medicine not working? Speak up. You may need to get more of the current pain medicine you are on or switch to a different kind of medicine to get relief. Don’t try to ignore painful symptoms. Managing your pain will help with your healing process. Talk to your doctor or nurse when pain strikes.

Reduce pain by:

• placing a pillow against where your body hurts. This cushions the painful area and helps ease pain when you breathe deep or cough. 
• using cold or warm packs (ask your nurse). 
• massaging your back to relax tight muscles. 
• breathing in and out slowly to relax muscles and expand your lungs. 
• listening to soft music. 
• walking to relieve gas pressure. 
  

How bad is it on this pain scale?