When Strong Pain Medication is Advised

by KYW's medical editor Dr. Brian McDonough

It is rarely talked about but it is a conversation that is crucial for families as well as health care providers. When a person has cancer or another chronic disease and they are near the end of life, management of pain can be a crucial issue.

One example is the case of bone pain associated with cancer. It can be severe and can literally make the last few days of life grueling. This is the time when it is important to have pain medications, very strong pain medications to blunt the suffering. Yet many people don't get the medicine because there is a hidden fear that it may cause addiction or somehow be perceived as running from a problem.

Believe me.  I am not a big fan of narcotic medication. I have seen too many people with addictions that are almost impossible to break. But in the case of severe pain at the end of life it can be the only humane way to deal with it.

Talk with your physician about hospice and what it can offer and get some help with these decisions.