Pain affects many people. Acute pain happens suddenly. Chronic pain lasts for awhile, or comes and goes over a long period of time and so becomes a part of day-to-day life. Pain can come from many conditions such as old accidents, long-standing arthritis, some medical illnesses, low back problems, amputations, or can follow a stroke. Although the problems that can cause pain may increase as you get older, pain is not normally a part of “just getting old”. If you suddenly get new pain, or your old aches get worse, you should see your health care provider. Here are some questions you can ask to help decide what the best treatment for your pain is:

1. Why do I have more pain now that I used to?
Will this pain go away?
2. Will admitting I have pain mean that I am a weak person, or that I will lose my independence?
3. Does this pain mean that I have a serious illness such as cancer?
4. What kind of tests do you do to find the cause for this pain?
5. Do I have to take pills for my pain?
6. What about acupuncture or massage?
7. Can exercise help lessen this pain?
8. Are there other non-medicine remedies for pain?
9. What kind of medicines are good for pain?
10. Do I have to take the medicines all the time, or just as needed?
11. Will I get addicted to pain medicines?
12. What kind of side-effects do pain medicines have?
13. I read that some pain medicines can cause heart problems ­ what are my options?