You may find it helpful to keep a record or a diary to track details about your pain and what works best to ease it. You can share this record with those caring for you. This will help them figure out what method of pain control works best for you. Your records can include:
- Words to describe the pain
- Any activity that seems to increase or decrease the pain
- Any activity that you cannot do because of the pain
- The name, dose, and time you take your pain medicines
- The times you use other pain-relief methods (such as rest, relaxation techniques, distraction, skin stimulation, or imagery)
- The number you rate your pain at the time you use a pain-relief measure (medicine or method to reduce pain)
- Pain rating 1 to 2 hours after using the pain-relief measure
- How long the pain medicine works
- Pain rating throughout the day (to get an idea of your general comfort)
- How pain interferes with your normal activities, such as sleeping, eating, sex, or working
- Any side effects you have that may be from the medicines
Below is an example of how you might set up your pain diary:
Date & time |
Pain score (0 to 10) |
Where pain is and how it feels (ache, sharp, throbbing, shooting, etc.) |
What I was doing when it began |
Name, time, and amount of medicine taken |
Non-drug techniques I tried |
How long the pain lasted |
Other notes |
3/12 7:40a.m. |
8 |
Stabbing pain in right side under my arm |
Getting out of bed |
2 Percocet at 7:45a.m. |
Deep breathing |
About 35 min. |
Pain came down to a 3, and I was able to get up and shower at 8:30. |
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