Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than 3 months. It may or may not have a clear cause. Chronic pain can affect your emotions as well as your body. It can range from being mild and annoying to being so bad that it gets in the way of your daily activities.

Chronic pain and diabetes affect each other. Chronic pain can make diabetes worse, and diabetes can make chronic pain worse.

This happens because your body responds to chronic pain by releasing stress hormones. These hormones can raise your blood sugar. That makes it hard for insulin or other medicines to lower your blood sugar. You may need higher doses of insulin or other diabetes medicine to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range.

Chronic pain can make it harder to follow your usual diabetes routine, including staying active and eating well. This can also lead to higher blood sugar levels.

Opioid medicines are sometimes used to treat pain. Opioids may raise your blood sugar and make insulin not work as well.

They can also mask symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), such as shaking, sweating, a fast heartbeat, or feeling anxious. These symptoms help alert you to eat or drink something to bring your blood sugar back up.

If you're taking opioids, you may need to monitor your blood sugar more often. Talk with your care team about adjusting your treatment plan, if needed.

Finding ways to manage your pain can have real benefits for your blood sugar. When pain is managed, stress hormones decrease, being active becomes easier, and it's easier to follow a healthy eating plan. All of these changes can also help improve your blood sugar.

Here are some tips for caring for yourself when you have both chronic pain and diabetes.

• Check your blood sugar regularly. Monitor your blood sugar more closely when your pain is worse.
• Work with your care team. They can help with treatments to manage your pain while continuing to help you keep your blood sugar in your target range.
• Avoid skipping meals. If pain makes it hard to eat, let your care team know right away.
• Try different complementary therapies. These are treatments that can be used along with medical care to help relieve pain. Some examples include massage, acupuncture and acupressure, and chiropractic care. Look for a licensed practitioner with experience treating chronic pain.
• Use mind and body therapies. These may help change how your brain reads pain signals. Techniques may include deep breathing, meditation, and visualization. They may be learned with the help of a trained therapist or in a class.
• Stay active. This can improve your ability to cope with pain. Being active may also help improve your mood, sleep, and overall health. Some ways to stay active may include stretching, walking, and taking the stairs instead of riding the elevator.
• Live a healthy lifestyle. This makes it easier to cope with pain and function better. Some healthy lifestyle choices include:
  • Choosing healthy foods and drinks.
  • Limiting alcohol and caffeine.
  • Getting enough restful sleep.
  • Spending time with friends and family.
  • Keeping your mind active.
  • Volunteering or joining a club or social group.
• Get group support. It can help to talk with others who also have chronic pain. Chronic pain support groups can help you feel like you're not alone. They can also give you tips for coping with pain.
• Talk with a counselor. Counseling can help you learn coping skills and methods, such as visualization. Find a counselor that you trust who has worked with people who have chronic pain.