Patient discussions
Discuss with the patient how chronic pain affects their life, including daily activities, work, sleep, social interaction, and relationships. Be sensitive to how their socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic background may influence the impact of pain on them and their care. Provide information about prognosis, including the likelihood of flare-ups and/or that the pain may not improve or may get worse over time.
Engagement in group activities and support groups can reduce the feelings of helplessness that can heighten pain.
In addition to general health benefits, exercise has been shown to reduce pain and improve quality of life, so it is important to encourage men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome to remain physically active.
If opioid treatment is being considered for intractable chronic pain that has not responded to nonpharmacologic and nonopioid pharmacologic therapies, discuss with the patient the realistic benefits and known risks of opioid therapy, work with them to establish treatment goals for pain and function, and explain that opioid therapy will be discontinued if benefits do not outweigh risks.[106]
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer