The Zohydro Controversy: The Future (Part III)

In my opinion, the future of pain management with any of the long acting opioids is uncertain. Zohydro is no exception. Some of this depends on where you live. As I mentioned in part II, It's not just a question of the DEA or FDA or State Health Boards of Health calling the shots now. Regulation seems to be expanding in various states/cities/localities. This is a new twist, and a new challenge in the world of pain management.

That being said, it is clear that new roads to pain management are emerging. I have posted information about new devices on the marketplace for treatment of chronic pain, anxiety, and migraine headache. These are new relatively new ideas, and where they fit into the scheme of things remains to be seen. They may be more cost effective than medication...and provided that they successfully treat conditions as claimed, without problems, there is hope. Clinical investigation of drugs not initially marketed for pain management is underway- oxytocin and HCG are examples of this.

Non medicinal alternatives to pain medication have been around for a long time. There are many to try, and they can usually be combined with other alternative practices or medication for enhanced effect. Some of them don't require payment in terms of dollars and cents; instead it may take physical or mental effort to make them work. Yoga, acupuncture and meditation exemplify this avenue of approach.

I really do not believe that chronic pain is all in someone's head. Pain and suffering are real; and in an ideal world, relief would come in pill form, without fear of addiction or side effects. Sadly, that is not the world we live in. So it is necessary to be adaptable, and to use what means we have to keep our lives as pain free and fulfilling as possible.

Image source: Wikimedia

Comments

Living with Chronic pain hits the big screen!

Been to the movies lately? Jennifer Aniston is on the big screen in a recent release titled "Cake." Her character, Claire is a victim of chronic pain...she belongs to a support group, where all of the members are coming to terms with the suicide of one of their members. Of course, she also takes pain medication and addiction is another of her problems...and of course there's more! I guess I am writing this post just to bring readers' attention to the fact that Hollywood has become aware of the crisis that is chronic pain. This movie is a testament to that. People that don't have to live with this kind of pain don't fully understand the whole story. Maybe this movie will shed some light on the issues. Here is the official trailer for the movie: Sources: prweb;NorthJersey.com;YouTube

Effectiveness Of Ozone Injections Is No Longer Up In The Air

Most of us know someone who has osteoarthritis, if we don't have it ourselves. Joint replacement surgery is a pretty common remedy when the joint becomes severely damaged and the patient is in a lot of pain. With risk of complications from such a surgery, perhaps an alternative treatment should be tried first. One such remedy is the injection of a synthetic version of collagen(e.g. Synvisc®) into the affected joint. This procedure restores the cushioning to a joint that has degenerated over the years. It can diminish the pain substantially and help put off joint replacement surgery for months to years. The biggest drawback is that these products are expensive. GoodRX , a web site that can be used to estimate the cost of medications, estimates the cost of these products to be over $1,000 each. Here's another example--and I am not sure how widely accepted this protocol has become since study authors introduced it in November 2015. Are you ready for this? Inject

Beware Of The Tick!

It's tick season, everyone! And while we all know about Lyme Disease and its lingering effects, a new problem has entered the scene. According to the CDC, the Powassan virus is another tick-borne disease that has recently been recognized. The CDC says symptoms become apparent anywhere from one week to one month after infection. Symptoms include vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, problems with speech and seizures. Approximately half of those infected by this virus have permanent neurological symptoms, which can include muscle wasting, problems with memory, and recurrent headaches. Many people who have been infected with Powassan virus required hospitalization and sometimes even respiratory support (i.e., a respirator). Treatment is focused on supportive measures. In the meantime, preventive measures are the best way to avoid Lyme disease, Powassan virus , or any other tick-borne virus. You can read more about preventive measures by clicking here . Sour

Everyday pain management ideas

Search This Blog