Questions to ask your doctor
Make sure you understand your doctor's directions for your pain medication, including the frequency, dose and type of medication.
If you have questions, ask your medical team. You need to know what to expect on a daily basis.
You might, for example, want to use the following checklist:
- How much medicine should I take? How often?
- Should I call you before increasing the dose?
- What should I do if the pain gets worse?
- What if I forget to take my medication or take it too late?
- How long does it take for the medicine to start working?
- Is it safe to drink alcohol, drive or operate machinery after I have taken the medicine?
- What side effects from the medicine are possible and how can I prevent them?
- How long should I take this medication?
- Could this medication interact with any other medicines, vitamins or supplements I'm taking?
- Should I take my medicine with food?
- How much liquid should I drink with the medicine?
- Are there things I should avoid eating, drinking, or doing while taking this medicine?
- Should I try alternative medicine, like acupuncture or massage?