Session I: Pain Management in Sickle Cell Disease: The Big Picture-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The presentation covers various aspects of pain management for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and the nuanced approach required for opioid use. It was organized by the Opioid Response Network, which provides training on managing substance use disorders. The session begins with an overview of sickle cell disease, emphasizing its genetic basis and varied phenotypes, including how these lead to acute and chronic pain episodes.<br /><br />Christine, a nurse practitioner, highlights initial misunderstandings about SCD and shares insights gained over 11 years of experience. She emphasizes the importance of patient-reported outcomes in pain management, advocating for rapid administration of pain relief in acute settings, and following standardized guidelines from the American Society of Hematology and the NHLBI. The need for home-based management tactics, such as using Tylenol and maintaining hydration, is underscored, alongside the critical role of education on opioid risks and dependencies for both patients and providers.<br /><br />Ravi Prasad, a pain psychologist, further explores chronic pain management using a biopsychosocial approach. He stresses the differentiation between acute and chronic pain, noting that chronic pain requires a multifaceted treatment strategy. Prasad underscores the importance of psychological interventions, physical reconditioning, and lifestyle modification to improve patient outcomes. The presentation also opens a discussion about challenges in transitioning patients from opioids to alternatives like Suboxone to reduce dependency risks.<br /><br />Participant Q&A includes discussions on opioid equivalency, interaction between antihistamines and opioids, and how lifestyle factors like diet can influence sickle cell crises. The session concludes by inviting participants to a follow-up where more detailed strategies, case studies, and further discussions will be provided.

Keywords

pain management

sickle cell disease

opioid use

Opioid Response Network

patient-reported outcomes

chronic pain

biopsychosocial approach

opioid risks

Suboxone

lifestyle modification