Keep a record

Note down the following things about your pain:

• where is the pain?
• is the pain mild, moderate or severe?
• is it a new problem; how long has it been there?
• have you taken any pain killers?

It is very important that you talk to your chemotherapy team about your pain; they cannot know how much pain you have unless you tell them.

Medication

• Take your pain medication as prescribed and regularly.
• If the painkillers you are taking are not working, tell your chemotherapy care team.

Daily activities and rest

• Pace your daily activities.
• Rest at regular intervals.
• Use distraction activities such as reading, listening to music, watching television, visualisation, etc.

Other things you can do

• Applying heat on the area (eg wheat bag) can sometimes help, taking care not to leave it on for too long, and be careful not to burn yourself.
• Complementary and alternative therapies may help. Always consult with your chemotherapy team about them before starting anything new.

If you are experiencing new pain that was not there previously, contact your Clinical Nurse Specialist or the Acute Oncology helpline for your treating hospital.