The following questions are used by doctors and nurses to decide whether patients have breakthrough pain (which is treated in one way) from other types of pain (which are treated in other ways):

1.    Do you have discomfort / pain for most of the time (or would have if you were not taking painkillers)?

If the answer is no, then it is unlikely that you have breakthrough pain

2.     Is your pain well controlled?

If the answer is no, then it is unlikely that you have breakthrough pain – you should make an appointment to discuss your pain with your doctor/ nurse

3.    Do you have short-lived episodes of more severe pain?

If the answer is yes, then it is likely you have breakthrough pain – you should make an appointment to discuss your breakthrough pain with your doctor / nurse