New App Helps Chronic Pain Sufferers Manage Meds

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

A first-of-its-kind app aimed at helping chronic pain sufferers manage their opioid consumption is now available in the App Store.

Among other things, the My Opioid Manager App helps patients track their prescription drug intake and ensures they don’t over or under medicate. The app has numerous features, including:

  • Details about specific medications, including their side effects and risks.
  • A calendar to schedule and track their opioid consumption.
  • The ability to create pain diaries, complete with body maps to visualize and note areas of pain.
  • The ability to share consumption details with the patient’s medical team.

Dr. Andrea Furlan, co-author of the app and a physician/scientist at Toronto Rehab, University Health Network, said the goal of the app is to help patients better understand the pills they are putting in their bodies.

“Patients need to know the risks, and better understand their dose, potential complications, and the interaction opioids have with other medications they may be taking,” said Furlan. “Patients are often very fearful of how their body will react to opioids or that they will become addicted. The app is designed to educate and hopefully dispel some of their fears.”

Chronic Pain App

Furlan noted that the app is only designed for people with chronic pain with conditions like osteoporosis, low back pain, neck issues and muscle spasms. The app is not equipped for patients battling cancer who are taking pain management meds.

Amy Robidas, a registered nurse at Toronto Rehab and co-author of the app, said the tool helps patients take a more active role in their treatment.

“Chronic pain often makes patients feel like they don’t have control over their body and how they’re feeling,” said Robidas. “Having the ability to track opioid use themselves, gives patients the ability to be partners in their own care.”

Robidas said one of the unique aspects of the app is that it allows the patient to communicate and share medical information with their doctor.

“There can be a lot of stigma around opioid use. This is a tool that can help patients develop trust with their physician and allow for more time to discuss questions and concerns and set functioning goals,” said Robidas.

The My Opioid Manager app is available on the iTunes App Store and on Google Play for iOS and Android devices. The app is free of charge and comes with a free iBook which helps patients understand more about opioid use.

Related source: News Wise