Explain break through pain and how long after controlled pain does it happen

General General TN & GPN (Old Site)
1

I have been pain free for weeks and my meds have been adjusted up and now, down and I am fearing breakthrough pain although I have not experienced it. I would appreciate anyone sharing their experience.

2

Basically it is any pain you are having while you are on controlled meds. I have ALOT of breakthrough pain. I think I will have to switch drugs in order to get controlled. Sigh.

3

Oh and to explain, it can be annoying pain that you can still function but you know it is there... or it can bring you to your knees and make you crazy.....

4

Lisa, Have you been pain free for any length of time? If yes, how long? Thanks

5

Kimburlee, my longest amount was 12 days. I had several 12 day breaks then an attack..... The last week has been brutal. My daily pain level is about a 2 when I wake, up to a 6 probably, then back to a 2 or 3 at late night. I have not had a 8-9 attack lately, which is a good thing. But I live in fear every time the pain creeps back up.

6

Thank you for sharing. I know that fear all to well as Iam sure we all do. You sharing is helping me to make some important descissions. I hope to hear fromm others.

7

Breakthrough pain is when you experience pain even though you have taken your meds that have kept you pain free in the past. My breakthrough pain comes about an hour or so before I am due for my next dose of meds, but it can come at anytime. My doc usually ups my meds when this happens. Unfortunately, I have been going up and up on my meds recently. I pray that I will be able to go down again someday soon.

8

Thank you Stefanie. On the pain scale, how do you rate it? I thought I might have a breakthrough on Sat. of 5 or higher but remained a 1-. Yesterday was a great day with no pain on lowered dose. My prayers are with you. May God grant them.

9

Good Morning Kimburlee,

If you feel any pain that was previously controlled by meds, that is considered breakthrough pain. It does not have to be bad to be breakthrough pain, it just has to “breakthrough” your medication barrier. I keep a pain journal everyday so I can discuss it with my doctor should I need to adjust my medication. I wouldn’t adjust my meds until the breakthrough pain was something I couldn’t live with.

Thanks for the prayers! I have just been having a huge flareup over the past couple of weeks after having MVD surgery in 2009.