When it gets you down
Chronic pain is very different from the acute pain that follows an illness, an accident, an examination or even an operation. The pain frequently has a serious disturbing effect on daily life and can result in mood swings.
Ways to feel better
How do you deal with pain that remains after your treatment? There are ways:
- stay in touch with your care providers to have regular examinations, adapt treatment, get information, to plan examinations, identify your available personal resources, discuss your worries about the future, etc.
- find out what keeps your pain going or makes it worse, such as your emotional state, social and/or financial concerns, worries about the future, etc.
- by aiming, for example, at a progressive reduction in your pain rather than its complete disappearance.
Consultation about your pain
In situations where the pain is insufficiently relieved by the usual treatments, a specialized multidisciplinary team is available to examine with you the best therapeutic solution. This team intervenes at the request of your medical doctor. Don’t hesitate to speak to him about this.
If some pain resists treatment, appropriate care also aims to mitigate the effect on your daily life.
True or false?
If I am offered psychological support, it’s because you feel my pain is all in my head.
False: Pain affects a person as a whole. Worrying can increase pain. Conversely, pain can affect your moral.