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Pain Management Robert B. Walker, M.D., M.S. DABFP, CAQ (Geriatrics) Robert C. Byrd Center for Rural Health Marshall University
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Introduction
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End of Life Pain 50% of elders report “significant problems with pain” in the last 12 months of life. One-third of nursing home patients complain daily pain. Predictable, explainable pain is under treated.
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Elders list pain control as one of their top 5 quality of life concerns Patients “have a legal right” to proper pain assessment and treatment.
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Common Misconceptions “I should expect to have pain” “I’ll hold off so the medicine will work when I really need it” “Pain is for wimps” “I don’t want to get hooked”
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Barriers We assess pain poorly and erratically We haven’t been well trained in pain management We’re afraid of addiction issues We’re afraid of mistreating the patient
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Basic Approach to Pain Management Ask the patient about pain and believe them. Use a pain scale. Document what you know about the pain Reassess the pain
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Diagnosing and Documenting Pain
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Examples of Pain Scales
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Documenting Pain Onset What relieves? Location What worsens? Intensity Effects on Daily Activities Quality Treatment History
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Neurological Classification Nociceptive Pain Neuropathic Pain
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Nociceptive Pain Damage is to other tissue and nerve fibers are stimulated. Travels along usual pain and temperature nerves Responds well to common analgesics and opioids Sharp, throbbing, aching
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Neuropathic Pain The nervous system itself damaged Direct damage to nerves, plexes, spinal cord (shingles, diabetic neuropathy) Burning, tingling, shooting May not respond as well to usual analgesics including opioids
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Physical Examination motor, sensory, reflexes headaches: intracranial mass zoster, pressure sores non-verbal communication
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Treating Pain
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Treatment of Pain Treat Causes if possible Remember Non-Drug Treatments Analgesics: Narcotic, Non-narcotic Adjuvants: Anti-convulsants, Anti- depressants
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Standard Approach Treat Quickly (Pain leads to more pain) Mild Pain: acetaminophen, ASA, NSAIDS Moderate: mixtures, weak opioid, maybe adjuvants Severe: strong opioid and non-opioid, maybe adjuvant
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Non-Narcotic Analgesics Acetaminophen (< 4 g / 24 hrs.) NSAIDS (bone pain or inflammation) –Lots of side effects –Newer are expensive
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Basics of Analgesic Use 1. By Mouth When Possible 2. Timed Doses 3. Whatever dose it takes 4. Watch for Expected Side Effects 5. Consider Adjuvants
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Narcotic Analgesics: Morphine IV: if >50 Kg. Give 10 mg. IV Q3-4 h If child or <50 kg. Give 0.1mg/kg. IV If Opioid Naïve, consider lower dose Oral: Start 5-10 mg. Titrate Up
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Morphine Max Effect: IV -15 minutes SC- 30 minutes PO: -I hr.
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Using Concentrates Dying Patient; Can’t swallow MSIR 20 mg/ml :.25 to.50 ml. Q 1 hr. sl. PRN Oxycodone conc. 20 mg/ml :.25 to.50 ml. Q 1 hr. sl. PRN
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DOSING Titrate Up Slowly Until pain controlled or side effects occur Anticipate Next Dose: tend to give a little early Use Breakthrough Doses When Needed
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Extended Release Better Compliance More Expensive Dose q 8,12, or 24
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Extended Release Don’t Crush or Chew May flush through feeding tubes Don’t Start with Extended Dose
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Breakthrough Pain Is it new incident (new cause? or end-of-dose?) Use 10% of total daily dose (rounded up) up to q 1-2 h
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Continuing Use Can continue to increase (no real upper limit) Gradually increase – Limited by Side effects Note that the effective rescue dose increases as total dose does
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Other Options: Fentanyl Patch 25, 50, 75, 100 mcg/hr. Apply every 3 Days Divide Morphine Daily Dose in Half Rescue with Opioids
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Other Options: Fentanyl Patch Initial Dose May Take 12- 24 hrs. May continue previous meds for 8 - 12 h If switching, remove and use rescue for 24 hrs.
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Fentanyl is well absorbed across mucous membranes “Lolly-pop” approved only for breakthrough in already receiving opioids not to be chewed 200ug units not proven to be more effective than morphine concentrates
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Other Options: Methadone Starts working in about 1 hr. Inexpensive Neuropathic Pain
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A patient with advanced lung cancer has severe pain from a localized bony metastasis. He begins to consistent feel pain about four hours after his last dose of opioid medication. 1. According to the program which of the following would be most helpful? A. Increase medication dose B. Change medication C. Begin to give the medication at intervals of less than four hours D. Add adjuvant medication.
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Answer C. A. Begin to give the medication at intervals of less than four hours
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2. The most likely classification of this pain is: A. Referred Pain B. Nociceptive Pain C. Neuropathic Pain D. Visceral Pain
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Answer B. Nociceptive Pain
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3. The oral morphine preparation given to this patient will begin to take full effect in about: A. 15 minutes B. 30 minutes C. 1 hour D. 2 hours
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Answer C. 1 hour
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Problems with Pain Management
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Problems with Opiates: Addiction Define: compulsive use, lack of control, harmful use Iatrogenic: may be as low as 1% if no previous history Avoid making this tricky diagnosis “Have you used this drug five times in your life?”
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Warning signals Dominating Concerns over Availability Non-Provider Sanctioned Increases Ignoring Major Side Effects
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Warning signals Altering, losing Prescriptions Multiple Sources Unaccounted Medication
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Problems with Opiates: Dependence Defined by the occurrence of a withdrawal syndrome after reduction or cessation. May occur after only 2- 3 days of strong opioids Usually well controlled by tapering
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Problems with Opiates: Tolerance Need for higher doses for same effect Can occur with effects other than analgesia Often develops faster for sedation, respiration, nausea than analgesia Slow tolerance to obstipation
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Problems with Opiates: Obstipation Fluids, Bran Pericolace or Senicot-S No BM in 48 hrs: MOM or Lactulose No BM in 72 hrs: Rectal Exam; Mag Citrate, Fleets, Oil
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Problems with Opiates: Nausea/Vomiting Usually occurs initially Improves with Time May be Able to Prevent with other meds, no movement
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Problems with Opiates: Respiratory Depression Remember, fairly rapid tolerance develops Almost always associated with sedation Follow Respiratory Rate Withhold Next 2 Doses
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Naloxone Dilute 1 Vial (0.4mg) in 10 cc. Normal Saline Give 1 cc. per minute until respiratory rate OK
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Problems with Opiates: Sedation Look at Other Meds Look for Other Reasons Try Decrease Dose 25% Try another Analgesic, Psychotropic
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A patient with widespread cancer is being treated with a mixed narcotic analgesic. Addition of non-narcotic pain medication for breakthrough is being considered. Which of the following is the most significant pharmacologic concern? A. Acetaminophen hepatic toxicity B. Addiction C. Tolerance D. Respiratory depression
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Answer A. Acetaminophen hepatic toxicity
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If a decision is made to change to a strong opioid alone, which starting dose of oral morphine would be reasonable? A. 1 mg. B. 5 mg. C. 10 mg. D. 50 mg.
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Answer C. 10 mg.
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To which of the following morphine effects will tolerance probably develop most slowly? A. Sedation B. Nausea C. Pain relief D. Obstipation/constipation
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Answer D. Obstipation/constipation
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Adjuvant Use Anticonvulsants (Shooting Pain) –Gabapentin (expensive, 100 mg TID) –Carbamazine 100 mg. PO TID –Valproic Acid 250 mg. QHS –Clonazepam 0.5 mg PO BID (sedating)
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Adjuvant Use Tricyclic Antidepressants (Burning, Tingling) –Low Doses (10 - 25 mg.) –Amitriptyline –Anticholenergic (sedating, drying, cardiac effects) Gabapentin
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Special Situations
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Terminal Events Can’t Swallow: Go to Concentrate If No Urine Output: Titrate to Pain (no routine dosing)
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Converting from IV to Oral Morphine, Oxycodone, Meperidine: 3 X dose Hydromorphone (Dilaudid): up to 5 X dose Then Reduce by 25% (cross tolerance)
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West Virginia Schedule II. Regulations In Emergency May Telephone or Mail (60 doses) One Drug Per Prescription with MD/DO Name Printed on Blank May Fax to Long Term Care or Hospice Should Write Out Concentrations
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Non-Drug Treatments Blocks & Infusions Surgery: rhizotomy and nerve decompression Radiation: localized Tumor Treatment Heat & Cold TENS Relaxation Complementary Medicine: acupuncture, chiropractic, massage Spiritual Therapy Diversions: Pets, Music, Art, Humor
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SUMMARY Optimizing well-being of the patient and loved ones Improving control over one’s life Can reduce uncontrolled pain to less than 1 in 20. We primary care physicians can, and must, get better at this.
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A patient with advanced, widespread cancer is at end-stage of her disease. She begins to experience breakthrough pain every 1 or 2 hours between doses of OxyContin. What dose should be given for rescue or breakthrough pain? A. Regular interval dose B. 10% of total daily dose C. 20% of total daily dose D. 30% of total daily dose
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Answer B. 10% of total daily dose
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This patient lives many miles from the office and the Hospice nurse wished to increase the regular interval dose of medication. Which of the following is a legal option? A. Give doses of another patient’s medicine B. Fax a prescription for the regular medication to the local pharmacist. C. Give a medication on-hand not previously prescribed D. Wait until a written script can be obtained.
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Answer B. Fax a prescription for the regular medication to the local pharmacist.
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The patient begins to take no fluids and has instructed no IV be started. Urine output ceases. How should dosing be determined? A. Titrate to pain, using rescue dose only B. Half the usual interval dose C. Give 10% of the usual interval dose D. Double the usual interval dose.
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Answer A. Titrate to pain, using rescue doses only
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