Myeloma Pain Relief: What Patients Really Think About Opioids

Managing pain is crucial for people with multiple myeloma, but many struggle with treatments like opioids. An insightful new survey from HealthTree Cure Hub® uncovered the truth about how patients really feel about pain, opioids, and communication with their healthcare providers.

Pain Can Remain, Even When Myeloma is in Remission

The survey uncovered a surprising reality: patients often continue to experience pain, even after achieving remission. About 55% of individuals participating in the survey reported experiencing daily pain, and half still dealt with significant discomfort, even though their myeloma was under control.

Understanding this can help patients realize they're not alone and encourage proactive conversations about ongoing pain management.

The Truth Behind Underreporting Pain

More than one in four patients admitted they haven't always been upfront about their pain levels with their doctors. The main reasons included:

• Worrying about appearing to complain
• Fear of losing effective treatments
• Believing their pain wouldn't be taken seriously by healthcare providers

While the concerns are understandable, care teams that acknowledge these issues can encourage and empower patients to speak frankly and honestly to get the care they ultimately need.

Opioids: Helpful but Complicated

Although opioids like morphine and hydrocodone are frequently used, many patients remain hesitant.

The survey found that while most patients (73%) had tried opioids at some point, only about one in four (28%) were still using them every day. Nearly half of those surveyed (46%) had chosen to avoid opioids entirely because of fears around addiction, doubts about effectiveness, or feeling stigmatized.

Again, these concerns should be shared between patients and healthcare teams to anticipate and manage issues appropriately.

Exploring Non-Opioid Relief Options

Patients reported using a variety of integrative therapies to manage their pain:

• Heat therapy (59%)
• Physical therapy (52%)
• Exercise and yoga (47%)
• Massage and acupuncture (40%)

Incorporating these complementary strategies may help people with myeloma achieve greater comfort and possibly lessen their dependence on opioid medications.

Bridging the Gap in Patient Education and Communication

About a third of survey respondents felt under-informed about opioids. This spotlights significant gaps in patient education that may not happen if the patient isn't proactive in bringing up the issues. Additionally, the survey uncovered that patient and care team discussions were also lacking, with less than half of the survey respondents regularly discussing pain with their doctors.

While it seems unfair to place additional responsibility on the patient, a key lesson in becoming your own best advocate is to know that persistent issues should never be ignored. While your care team can be empathetic and capable, they can't "feel your pain" if you never share what you are experiencing.

It is your job as a patient to raise relevant concerns, ask questions, and be assertive (but not aggressive) in finding answers that could lead to personal relief.

Key Takeaways for Patients

The results from this survey highlight the urgent need for better patient and care team discussions, more education about pain management, and the exploration of both opioid and non-opioid therapies for people living with myeloma. 

By sharing experiences honestly and exploring various pain management methods with your doctor, you can greatly enhance your overall well-being.

We Need Your Help! Easily Contribute to Myeloma Research

Real-world studies like this are made possible through the experiences shared by people living with myeloma. By joining HealthTree Cure Hub® and securely connecting your medical records, you can take simple, anonymous surveys that drive research and improve care for the community. Your input makes a real difference! Click the buttons below to get started or see the current impact of this research. 

Make an Impact with Brief Myeloma Surveys

See Patients’ Progress: Research Results News

Source: 

• Statistical Report for Opioid Multiple Myeloma Pain Survey