If we delay effective pain management, does it do any harm? Learn the truth from our guest Patrick Coyne
This week is part two of our three-part interview series with Patrick Coyne, known worldwide for his expertise in pain management. The focus of this interview is about the harmful effects of being in pain and also the unexpected benefits when pain is managed.
Not being in pain is fundamental to having a good quality of life, and this is especially true at the end of life. Effective and compassionate management of pain may reduce complicated grief for loved ones witnessing the death. Successful pain management also has to navigate the barriers that have come into effect to deal with the opioid epidemic.
In This Episode:
- 01:45 – Ghosts in Japanese Cultural History
- 08:51 – Recipe of the Week, Hot Chocolate Lazagna
- 10:46 – Interview: The Harmful Effects of Delaying Effective Pain Management
- 31:21 – Outro
Can Delaying Opiates Actually Cause Harm?
Our guest Patrick Coyne shares many reasons people may refuse opiates at end of life, even though they are living in considerable pain. But can there be harm in that viewpoint?
Patrick also shared about how pain can cause difficulty in breathing and moving, increasing the risk of pneumonia and bed-related issue. It also robs valuable time from family. Studies have even show that patients can live longer with effective pain management. This is primarily because people are moving more, sleeping better, and may have more of an appetite.
Listen to learn about what untreated pain actually does to our body and how it can affect relationships and other things that can be especially important at end of life.
Related Content on Pain:
- S2E26: What you need to know about pain, fatigue and skin at the last hours of living
- S4E26: Understanding How Breakthrough Cancer Pain is Managed
- S5E9: What are the Barriers to Pain Management at the End of Life?
Resources on Pain Management:
- Managing your pain and other symptoms during a life-limiting illness
- Support for People with Cancer: Cancer Pain Control – National Cancer Institute (PDF Booklet)
- This booklet can apply to any type of chronic pain, with questions to ask a care team, pain diary, and lots of tips!
- Palliative Care Methods for Controlling Pain – Johns Hopkins
- The Importance of Cultural Competence in Pain and Palliative Care (Targeted to healthcare professionals)
The Ghost of Oiwa
Feeling the effects of heat and humidity over the summer? In Japan, it can be a time for telling ghost stories, because the chill it can give you can cool you down! Charlie shares one of the most famous stories with us.
According to Wikipedia, Yotsuya Kaidan (四谷怪談), the story of Oiwa and Tamiya Iemon, is a tale of betrayal, murder and ghostly revenge. Arguably the most famous Japanese ghost story of all time, it has been adapted for film over 30 times and continues to be an influence on Japanese horror today.
‘Yotsuya Kaidan’ is the story of the ghost of Oiwa. Also knowns as “The Lantern Ghost”, it is one of Japan’s most famous ghost stories.
If you want to delve into this fascinating Japanese cultural history, here’s some links:
- The Ghost of Oiwa (curiousordinary.com)
- Japan’s scariest ghost story – Kit Brooks (youtube.com)
- Why Images of Ghosts Have Endured in Japan for Centuries | Smithsonian (smithsonianmag.com)
- Staging the Supernatural: Ghosts and the Theater in Japanese Prints – National Museum of Asian Art
Recipe of the Week: Hot Chocolate Lazagna
The name sounds like a terrible mash-up, but once you see the picture, you’ll think this is just what you need to make a splash at your next pool party! Head over to Southern Living for directions on how to make it!
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