Tackle pain the moment you notice it in your life. When the pain is mild, you have a clearer mind to deal with the situation. Go through various pain-relief methods, and find out which ones work for you. You may have pain medication, but it works better when you combine it with stretching and breathing. Write down the combination of pain-relief methods that you use and how effective they were. When you find a combination that works for you, it can be your automatic response in the future. You must be aware that this effective pain control combination may not work every time. Don’t become frustrated or hopeless when pain doesn’t seem to go away.

At this point, you must try other pain-relief methods. For example, you may have avoided nerve stimulation therapy in the past. However, that procedure might help you through this current pain episode. Keep trying different remedies and combinations until you find relief. In some cases, you might need to contact your doctor, so that you can confirm the best choices for you. Remember that your disease takes a physical toll on you. If you’re feeling particularly tired, don’t try to stimulate your mind with a distraction technique. Use a more passive pain-control method, such as a hot-water bottle or ice pack.

You must listen to your body and mind when experimenting with different pain-relief methods. It’s possible for patients to use a half-dozen methods for pain relief over the course of several months. In the end, the effort it takes to find an effective pain-relief method is worth the trouble because the discomfort is much worse without it.