Staying SANEStaying SANEWhile Treating PAINWhile Treating PAIN
Nathan J. Rudin, M.D.Nathan J. Rudin, M.D.Assistant Professor, Rehabilitation MedicineAssistant Professor, Rehabilitation Medicine
University of Wisconsin Medical SchoolUniversity of Wisconsin Medical SchoolMedical Director, Pain Treatment and Research CenterMedical Director, Pain Treatment and Research Center
Patient VisitPatient Visit
Whole-body pain for six yearsWhole-body pain for six years Depression; anxiety; physical abuseDepression; anxiety; physical abuse Psych hospitalizationsPsych hospitalizations Anxiolytic medication somewhat helpfulAnxiolytic medication somewhat helpful Wants opioid medicationWants opioid medication Goal – “Get rid of all pain now”Goal – “Get rid of all pain now”
History of Present IllnessHistory of Present IllnessHistory of Present IllnessHistory of Present Illness
How Do You Feel???How Do You Feel???
How Do You Feel?How Do You Feel?
Acute PainAcute Pain
Temporally related to injuryTemporally related to injury Resolves during the healing processResolves during the healing process Usually responds to analgesics and/or Usually responds to analgesics and/or
treatment of underlying causetreatment of underlying cause
Chronic PainChronic Pain
Persistent pain serving no useful biological Persistent pain serving no useful biological purposepurpose
Outlasts the healing processOutlasts the healing process Cutoff? Cutoff?
Usually 6 monthsUsually 6 months Often refractory to analgesicsOften refractory to analgesics Underlying cause may be hard to identifyUnderlying cause may be hard to identify
Chronic Pain - PsychosocialChronic Pain - Psychosocial
Pain becomes primary Pain becomes primary focus of lifefocus of life
Altered social, family, Altered social, family, work roleswork roles
Depression, anxiety, Depression, anxiety, panicpanic
Preexisting psych issues Preexisting psych issues in certain patientsin certain patients
Chronic Pain - BehavioralChronic Pain - Behavioral
Learned, reinforced pain behaviorLearned, reinforced pain behavior Limited coping skillsLimited coping skills Unconscious enabling by family, Unconscious enabling by family,
friendsfriends Compensation concerns – WC, Compensation concerns – WC,
litigationlitigation
Chronic Pain SyndromeChronic Pain Syndrome
Pain lasting six months or morePain lasting six months or more Pain assumes a primary importance in the Pain assumes a primary importance in the
patient’s lifepatient’s life Psychological comorbiditiesPsychological comorbidities Dysfunction in multiple life domainsDysfunction in multiple life domains
Medical-Palliative ModelMedical-Palliative Model
PAIN Diagnosis TreatmentPain Relief
RecoveryOf
Function
Medical-Palliative Pain CareMedical-Palliative Pain Care
Often successfulOften successful High patient satisfaction; minimal expenseHigh patient satisfaction; minimal expense But: But:
Treatment cannot end until pain stops.Treatment cannot end until pain stops. Pain is subjective, placing patient in control of treatment, Pain is subjective, placing patient in control of treatment,
but without responsibility.but without responsibility. Pain and dysfunction are rewarded by additional attention Pain and dysfunction are rewarded by additional attention
& medication.& medication.
Medical-Palliative ModelMedical-Palliative Model
NO RELIEF or INCOMPLETE
RELIEFPAIN Diagnosis Treatment
Rehabilitation ModelRehabilitation Model
RecoveryOf
Function
PAINNO RELIEF or INCOMPLETE
RELIEFDiagnosis Treatment
Rehabilitative Pain CareRehabilitative Pain Care
Recovery of function is the primary treatment Recovery of function is the primary treatment goal.goal.
Pain relief is not promised, and may or may Pain relief is not promised, and may or may not occur.not occur.
Patients must take an active role in improving Patients must take an active role in improving their own function and capacity.their own function and capacity.
Where To Begin?Where To Begin?
Understand the Understand the patientpatient
DiagnosisDiagnosis
Understand the nature of the patient’s problemUnderstand the nature of the patient’s problem Careful physical examinationCareful physical examination ImagingImaging Ancillary testing (EMG/NCS, etc.)Ancillary testing (EMG/NCS, etc.) Specialist evaluation where neededSpecialist evaluation where needed
Psychological DiagnosisPsychological Diagnosis
Screen for depression, anxietyScreen for depression, anxiety Psychiatric hospitalizationsPsychiatric hospitalizations
Screen for history of Screen for history of abuseabuse Ask about prior diagnoses Ask about prior diagnoses Ask about prior treatment Ask about prior treatment
PsychiatryPsychiatry CounselingCounseling RxRx
Specialist evaluation where neededSpecialist evaluation where needed
Motivational IssuesMotivational Issues
Income / insuranceIncome / insurance Workers’ CompensationWorkers’ Compensation
LitigationLitigation Family attitudesFamily attitudes
Enabling, over-supportive families need education Enabling, over-supportive families need education to stop encouraging pain behaviorsto stop encouraging pain behaviors
Evaluate The SituationEvaluate The Situation
Can you treat the problem adequately?Can you treat the problem adequately? Will psychological status and motivation allow Will psychological status and motivation allow
the patient to participate?the patient to participate? Is specialist input needed?Is specialist input needed?
Define GoalsDefine Goals
““Before you begin, Before you begin, have an end in have an end in mind.”mind.”-- Astute fortune cookie -- Astute fortune cookie
authorauthor
Define GoalsDefine Goals
Patient’s goalsPatient’s goals Pain relief; pain medication; ? improved functionPain relief; pain medication; ? improved function
Your goalsYour goals Reduced pain; improved function; appropriate Reduced pain; improved function; appropriate
medication usemedication use Time frame for treatment?Time frame for treatment? If treatment fails, next steps?If treatment fails, next steps?
Discuss GoalsDiscuss Goals
Bring your goals and the patient’s goals Bring your goals and the patient’s goals into into congruencecongruence
If you are working from different sets of If you are working from different sets of goals, success is unlikelygoals, success is unlikely
Agree upon goals and Agree upon goals and write them downwrite them down Copies to patient and medical recordCopies to patient and medical record
Sample Treatment PlanSample Treatment Plan
Patient name, MR#, birth datePatient name, MR#, birth date DiagnosesDiagnoses GoalsGoals
Specific treatments for each goalSpecific treatments for each goal Identify who is responsible for each treatment Identify who is responsible for each treatment Time frame for each goalTime frame for each goal
Reassessment intervalReassessment interval
Be FirmBe Firm
Patient should participate in Patient should participate in entireentire treatment treatment planplan
Reassess pain and function periodicallyReassess pain and function periodically If no improvement, consider terminating If no improvement, consider terminating
ineffective treatmentineffective treatment
Set LimitsSet Limits
““I’m out of my pain medication early”I’m out of my pain medication early” ““Picking and choosing” from prescribed Picking and choosing” from prescribed
treatments treatments Missed appointmentsMissed appointments Emergency department or urgent care overuseEmergency department or urgent care overuse Inappropriate treatment of staffInappropriate treatment of staff Excessive or unnecessary telephone callsExcessive or unnecessary telephone calls
Set LimitsSet Limits
Enforce adherence to all clinic and medication Enforce adherence to all clinic and medication policiespolicies
Exceptions reinforce unwanted behaviorExceptions reinforce unwanted behavior Variable intervalVariable interval
Set out policies clearlySet out policies clearly Spell out consequences at the start of treatmentSpell out consequences at the start of treatment
Controlled SubstancesControlled Substances
Use with defined purpose and goals in mindUse with defined purpose and goals in mind Educate patient on appropriate useEducate patient on appropriate use For chronic conditions, minimize short-acting For chronic conditions, minimize short-acting
medicationsmedications Use Use and enforce and enforce controlled-substance controlled-substance
agreement/contractagreement/contract Reevaluate efficacy periodicallyReevaluate efficacy periodically
Dependence And ToleranceDependence And Tolerance
Tolerance = need for more drug to achieve Tolerance = need for more drug to achieve same effectsame effect May lessen if pain is abruptly relievedMay lessen if pain is abruptly relieved
Physical dependence = physiologic adaptation Physical dependence = physiologic adaptation to regular dosageto regular dosage Withdrawal syndrome if abruptly discontinuedWithdrawal syndrome if abruptly discontinued
Addiction / AbuseAddiction / Abuse
Most patients with acute or chronic pain Most patients with acute or chronic pain do notdo not develop addictiondevelop addiction
Hallmarks of addiction:Hallmarks of addiction: Compulsive useCompulsive use Loss of control of use: self-escalationLoss of control of use: self-escalation Use despite harmUse despite harm Use despite lack of benefitUse despite lack of benefit
Do not use addiction as reason to withhold Do not use addiction as reason to withhold acute acute treatmenttreatment
Abuse / Addiction / DiversionAbuse / Addiction / Diversion
Provide an appropriate and safe taper of medicationProvide an appropriate and safe taper of medication Can usually taper 30% every 1-2 daysCan usually taper 30% every 1-2 days Can use clonidine, low-dose benzodiazepines to attenuate Can use clonidine, low-dose benzodiazepines to attenuate
withdrawalwithdrawal Get specialist’s advice for tapering methadoneGet specialist’s advice for tapering methadone
Give patient phone numbers for drug rehabilitation Give patient phone numbers for drug rehabilitation programsprograms
Continue other parts of treatment, if patient is willingContinue other parts of treatment, if patient is willing Document your actions in the medical record; if Document your actions in the medical record; if
appropriate, notify EDappropriate, notify ED
Measuring EfficacyMeasuring Efficacy
Analog pain scale (0-10)Analog pain scale (0-10) Percent change in pain (better or worse)Percent change in pain (better or worse)
These two scales don’t measure the same thing!These two scales don’t measure the same thing! Vocational statusVocational status
Return to work; improved activityReturn to work; improved activity Psychosocial statusPsychosocial status
Drug ScreensDrug Screens
Use when initiating treatment, or when diversion Use when initiating treatment, or when diversion or other drug abuse is suspectedor other drug abuse is suspected
Urine Mass Spectroscopy Panel Urine Mass Spectroscopy Panel is the most is the most effective testeffective test Indicate specific drugs you are looking forIndicate specific drugs you are looking for
Routine screening?Routine screening?
Protect YourselfProtect Yourself
Document all opioid prescriptionsDocument all opioid prescriptions Keep photocopies where possibleKeep photocopies where possible Copies can be scanned into WISCR-Copies can be scanned into WISCR-
ITIT Document rationale for prescribingDocument rationale for prescribing Document efficacy, with periodic Document efficacy, with periodic
reevaluationsreevaluations
Psychosocial IssuesPsychosocial Issues
Is the patient emotionally stable?Is the patient emotionally stable? Can the patient think straight?Can the patient think straight? Are life circumstances stable or chaotic?Are life circumstances stable or chaotic? Can the patient participate fully and effectively Can the patient participate fully and effectively
in treatment?in treatment?
Psychosocial IssuesPsychosocial Issues
If answer is no: If answer is no: Refer for psychiatric evaluation and/or counselingRefer for psychiatric evaluation and/or counseling Make this a Make this a condition condition for other treatmentfor other treatment If a treatment is unlikely to succeed, defer it until If a treatment is unlikely to succeed, defer it until
patient’s psychological status has stabilizedpatient’s psychological status has stabilized
PsychopharmacologyPsychopharmacology
AntidepressantsAntidepressants TCAs best for pain, but bad side effectsTCAs best for pain, but bad side effects SSRIs, SNRIs helpful for anxiety and SSRIs, SNRIs helpful for anxiety and
depressiondepression Antiepileptics – can help “stabilize Antiepileptics – can help “stabilize
mood”mood” Specialist referral where neededSpecialist referral where needed
Personality DisordersPersonality Disorders
Borderline: perhaps the toughestBorderline: perhaps the toughest Labile moodLabile mood Staff “splitting”Staff “splitting” May threaten suicide if not granted their requestsMay threaten suicide if not granted their requests
If they do not withdraw that threat, call 911 for emergency If they do not withdraw that threat, call 911 for emergency psychiatric workup psychiatric workup
Again: Again: set limitsset limits and enforce them! and enforce them! Don’t let yourself be manipulatedDon’t let yourself be manipulated
Terminating Pain TreatmentTerminating Pain Treatment
If pain treatment is ineffective or patient does If pain treatment is ineffective or patient does not/cannot participate, it can be terminated.not/cannot participate, it can be terminated.
For drug therapy, use safe taper as aboveFor drug therapy, use safe taper as above Refer for drug rehab if neededRefer for drug rehab if needed Refer for psych, other services as neededRefer for psych, other services as needed Encourage patient that you will still provide Encourage patient that you will still provide
other aspects of careother aspects of care
Pain Center ConsultationPain Center Consultation
Refer for: Refer for: Complex cases needing interdisciplinary careComplex cases needing interdisciplinary care Diagnostic dilemmasDiagnostic dilemmas Questions about appropriate managementQuestions about appropriate management Specific procedures (epidurals, nerve blocks, Specific procedures (epidurals, nerve blocks,
trigger point injection, etc.)trigger point injection, etc.) Diagnostic testing (EMG/NCS, tilt table, QST)Diagnostic testing (EMG/NCS, tilt table, QST)
RecapRecap
The patient needs to The patient needs to shareshare responsibility for responsibility for care.care.
Use a functionally-oriented care model.Use a functionally-oriented care model. Set goals and assess progress. Set goals and assess progress. Enforce your rules.Enforce your rules. Don’t be manipulated. Don’t be manipulated. You can terminate pain treatment if it isn’t You can terminate pain treatment if it isn’t
working.working.
Guidelines For Treatment With Controlled Substance MedicationsGuidelines For Treatment With Controlled Substance Medications
Available online - CRIT: Pain Management GuidelinesAvailable online - CRIT: Pain Management GuidelinesStandard Register: UWHC Form # 4002754Standard Register: UWHC Form # 4002754
Other ReferencesOther References
CRIT Web page: Guidelines: CRIT Web page: Guidelines: Pain Pain Management GuidelinesManagement Guidelines
Health Facts For You: search under Health Facts For You: search under PainPain Guidelines for the Assessment and Treatment Guidelines for the Assessment and Treatment
of Chronic Pain: of Chronic Pain: www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.orgwww.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org
Rudin NJ (2001). Chronic pain rehabilitation: Rudin NJ (2001). Chronic pain rehabilitation: principles and practice. principles and practice. WMJWMJ 100(5): 36-43, 100(5): 36-43, 66.66.
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