Everyday pain management ideas

Life is for the living.  As long as you're alive, you have purpose... So remember to live a little...love a little...laugh a little. Have a great weekend! Image source: DeviantArt

Opioid drugs have been on the marketplace for decades. But it wasn't until the 1980s that the idea of using long acting opioid products for chronic pain became reality.Before that time, opiates were mostly used short term; long term use of these products was pretty much limited to terminal illnesses, including cancer.  At that time, I was a newly licensed pharmacist; we were taught that, if someone had a terminal illness, quality of life was more important. If a terminally ill person became addicted to pain medication, so be it. Dr. Russell Portenoy was one of the early proponents using opioid medications for patients with chronic pain conditions.  In the late 1980s, he co-authored a paper about a study using these products in this way.  The study was based on a relatively small sample: only 38 patients were involved. The authors contended that the benefits of long term opiate therapy experienced by the study subjects could be of potential benefit to many people with chronic

This blog post is truly more my opinion than anything.  I was looking to write a post on fibromyalgia because I try to post something about it every week for my readers.  This week, I came across some articles about Intravenous Vitamin Drips for various conditions, and the latest one is fibromyalgia. This form treatment has been around for some time, largely a Hollywood fad.  The celebrities are all about it, claiming it helps to rejuvenate.  Apparently these infusions are customized to the individual and they are said to provide immediate relief because the nutrients can reach their targets instantly. Some websites are beginning to promote this idea as a treatment for fibromyalgia...and that is why I am writing about it today. A recent story in the Huffington Post tells one such story. Actor Ryan Phillipe and his girlfriend Paulina Slagter apparently use this treatment.  Apparently this treatment makes up for the fact that they don't eat right because they're alwa

I found this article in a blog at the Chicago Tribune....(To read the article, click here .) Today I am sharing this interview with  Dr. Ralph Gay, who is both a chiropractor and a physician. He is on the medical staff at the prestigious Mayo Clinic!   His is a unique perspective because he is trained in both professions.  If you are considering chiropractic medicine for your chronic pain problems, I highly suggest reading this article.  It might help you to decide if chiropractic medicine might be a good choice for your situation!

Chiropractic medicine is a health care profession that focuses on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems of the body, and the effect of theses systems on one's overall health.  Doctors of Chiropractic Medicine most often treat disorders involving pain of  the spine, neck, joints, and legs, and headaches. The chiropractic approach to medicine is drug free.  Typically practitioners use manual techniques to manipulate the spine of the patient in an effort to restore normalcy.  Chiropractic doctors also are good resources for therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises. They also are educated in the areas of nutrition and lifestyle change. This approach to medicine may not be suited for all medical issues, all the time.  But certainly there is much to offer to many people who suffer from many types of chronic pain!' Here is a short video about chiropractic medicine that might offer further information if you are interested. Sources:wikimedia,aca today,y

Medical literature suggests that there is a relationship between spirituality and health. The American Academy of Physicians says that "spirituality is the way we can find meaning, hope, comfort, and inner peace in our lives." Religion is one common way for people to find spirituality, while for others, it is found in art, music, a connection with nature, or values and principles. Many people practice a given religion and share it with others.  Some people do not have a specific religion, but do have spiritual beliefs.  These beliefs can bring a sense of meaning and purpose to life, help put things into perspective, and establish priorities. Sometimes it is just what is needed to motivate an individual to make difficult changes or accept a reality we don't want to face.  Having a religion that we share with a group is also a great support system, where assistance can be given or received from others. Recent studies demonstrate that people who belong to a reli

Usually the number 7 is a lucky number. Maybe in this case it's a lucky number too, because if you know about these seven foods it just might help you to have better control over fibromyalgia!  I had heard about one of them earlier on, then when I was researching this post I discovered this list. So, without further ado, here is the taboo list--complete with rationale. 1) Soy Many people with fibromyalgia develop "leaky gut syndrome"--a mysterious condition that involves gas, bloating, cramps, food sensitivites, and bodily aches and pains.  Some think soy is healthy--and while some things about soy are healthy, in this case it's best left avoided.  The big problem is that soy is an ingredient in so many processed foods--that you must be vigilant. Your best defense is to read labels! 2) Gluten Gluten free diets have become all the rage in recent years; while many people can eat foods that contain gluten, some folks have a definite intolerance to the

For anyone who has suffered pain--chronic or acute--at least some of us would admit that medications do not necessarily take care of all the pain, all the time.  For that reason, many adjunct and/or alternative treatments have become known; there are still new ones being discovered all the time. I never thought I'd be writing about virtual reality in the context of pain management--but it has become a reality!  Several articles on the Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking  website report that researchers have found that pleasant virtual reality experiences have actually been of benefit for patients with conditions such as chronic regional pain syndrome and fibromyalgia.   In thinking about this a few minutes, it actually makes sense--the virtual reality experience is truly a form of distraction technique.  Who knew that SuperMario Brothers or Pac Man would actually become therapeutic?   The good news is that once again, we see that pain management can truly

"Optimism is the madness of insisting that all is well when we are miserable."   Voltaire A recent edition of  "The Journal of Pain" reports that  Positive activities, such as increasing supportive emotions, can reduce body discomfort in adults with mild to moderate chronic pain. A multi-center study led by the Pittsburgh VA Healthcare system randomized subjects to complete two, four, or six positive activities over the course of six weeks.  Examples of the recommended positive activities included identifying three good things that went well each day and dwelling on them, focusing intensely on positive experiences two to three times a day, and practicing how to respond positively to good news shared by others. At the end of the six week period, those who were assigned four positive activities or more reported reductions in bodily pain that lasted six months or more following program completion. There is an important lesson here for all of us, especia

If you've ever been to any of the Disney theme parks, you have experienced "imagineering": recreating the feel of being in another place or another time...without having to actually go there.  The various theme areas within the parks can make you feel like you're in the tropics, the future, Colonial America, or anything in between. Today, we are going to look at this concept in the context of pain management.  Some of us might be familiar with this technique, while for others it might be something new to try.  You might have heard the words "guided imagery"to describe this pain management tool.  It's interesting to think that you can take yourself to another place...in your own mind...without going to a Disney Park or anywhere else! There was a television ad twenty or thirty years ago that I remember vividly. In the ad, a woman who was totally overwhelmed by the stress of her life really needed to get away from it all. When she got home she got o

By now, you have probably heard the expression,"Cold hands...warm heart." And for those of you with Lupus, it might just be more than that!   Raynaud's phenomenon , a painful vascular problem, is not unusual in people with Lupus disease.  If affected, the hands and other areas of the body (earlobes, for instance) experience circulatory changes due to stress or cold exposure.  Some ideas to combat the discomforts of Raynaud's include using insulated glasses when drinking cold drinks, or wearing gloves during colder weather to protect your hands from the elements. Gloves are also useful when you need to put food into/remove food from the freezer! Diet is an important element of managing lupus, whether it is time for a snack or a meal. Eat plenty of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts. Lean meats are a good choice, but make an effort to include fish in your diet.  The omega-3 oils in some fish, such as salmon, help reduce inflammation and may be cardio-pro

"Fat belt machine" circa 1960s Researchers from Indiana University found that whole-body vibration exercise may reduce pain symptoms and improve aspects of quality of life in individuals diagnosed with the musculoskeletal condition. Here were are, fifty years later...and a new twist to this concept has emerged.  Researchers from  an Indiana University presented  results from their studies at a May 2014 meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Orlando, Florida.  Their findings suggest that whole body vibration exercise may reduce pain symptoms and improve the overall quality of life for patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  “Our findings are promising, but it is not entirely clear whether these improvements were the result of added vibration or just the effects of being more active," Tony Kaleth, lead author of the study and associate professor in the School of Physical Education and Tourism Management at Indiana University-Purdue Univers

When someone is diagnosed with Lupus, the problems associated with that condition can be problematic anytime-- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  In a post earlier this week, coping skills to help with Lupus problems that are common upon awakening.  Today's post will focus on the issues surrounding this chronic health condition during the waking hours. Sunlight exposure can be a real problem for those who are diagnosed with Lupus. It is important to use "all possible tools in the toolbox" if possible. Tinted windows are one example of defense. Clothing that affords some degree of sun protection can also be of help. (Hint: look for tight weaves of fabric in darker colors for best protection. Test by holding fabric up to light--if you can see through the fabric, the protection is insufficient.) Stay out of the sun when it is most intense-- usually between 10 am and 4 pm daily.  If you do plan to be out, sunscreen SPF 30 or higher during this hours affords some pr

"One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody."                                           ~~Mother Teresa of Calcutta As a fan of Mother Teresa, I have come so see the wisdom in the things she had to say while she was on this earth.  Even though she is no longer with us, her works and words show to us the value of living with purpose.   For those with chronic pain, life is a struggle every day.  Physical activity can be cut to a halt, or limited.  The pain can sometimes overwhelm and affect not only the individual, but cause problems with friends and family as well.  Which leads to the point of today's blog post: Do you feel like you have a purpose in life?  Is your life all about your illness, your, incapacity, your moods, your pain...Do you still have the ability to share your time offering support to others who maybe just need someone to talk to? Can you still help someone who is less fortunate than you in some way? Do you still

A few months ago, I wrote a blog post about Lupus Disease ;  it is an autoimmune disorder that is related to Rheumatoid Arthritis.  While I took the time to describe the disorder and the various problems that arise from the disease, there was not much about the pain management aspect in that post. At this point, there is more information to share --and here it is! People with lupus disease often feel stiff and exhausted in the morning.  It has been suggested that moist heat can help provide some relief.  Try a bath or a long hot shower in the mornings; if that is not possible try using a moist heating pad for about thirty minutes prior to wake up time. Another option is to purchase an electric blanket with a timer, and set it to come on one half hour before you need to wake up for the day. If you think ahead, you could set things up for mornin g in the kitchen before you go to bed.  If the table is set and the coffee pot is ready to go, life is good! It's importan

If you've been following this series on gout, you know that there are dietary modifications that can be made to prevent recurrence of gout flare-ups. Yesterday, it was mentioned that coffee, vitamin C supplementation, and cherries and other dark colored fruits seem to help keep uric acid levels in check. I know it's hard to believe--but there are even more dietary measures that can be used to help control gout.  There is actually a gout diet, and here are some highlights as suggested by the Mayo Clinic: To follow the diet: ~Restrict intake of meat, poultry and fish. Animal proteins are high in purine . Avoid or severely limit high-purine foods, such as organ meats, herring, anchovies and mackerel. Red meat (beef, pork and lamb), fatty fish and seafood (tuna, shrimp, lobster and scallops) are associated with increased risk of gout. Because all meat, poultry and fish contain purines, limit your intake to 4 to 6 ounces (113 to 170 grams) daily. ~Cut back on fat. Satu

If you've been diagnosed with gout and are taking medication to control the condition, you might be surprised to know that there are more things that you can do to stay ahead of the curve.  Here are some non pharmacological lifestyle modifications/alternative medicine suggestions from the Mayo Clinic: Drink 8 to 16 cups (about 2 to 4 liters) of fluid each day, with at least half being water. Avoid alcohol. Eat a moderate amount of protein, preferably from healthy sources, such as low-fat or fat-free dairy, tofu, eggs, and nut butters. Limit your daily intake of meat, fish and poultry to 4 to 6 ounces (113 to 170 grams). Some foods may actually help prevent recurrence of gout attacks; one simply needs to include these items in their diet.  Interestingly, coffee (decaf or regular) has been shown to lower uric acid levels, although the mechanism is not understood.  A reasonable intake of vitamin C through food sources and supplements is also beneficial, but caution is

Gouty tophus of the knee. In all likelihood, the diagnosis of gout means treatment with medication will be involved.  In this post, we'll look at some of the medications used to treat gout and how they work.  Part III of this series will focus on non-drug measures to help relieve the pain of gout and prevent recurrent attacks. Pharmaceutical treatment of gout falls into two basic categories: the first category consists of medications that would be used for a gouty attack, while the second category of drugs are utilized to help prevent future attacks. Drugs for treatment of gout attacks are agents that help to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with the condition.  Many years ago, the primary agents for gout attack were butazolidin (one of the first NSAIDs on the market) and colchicine.  Butazolidin was removed from the US market many years ago over safety concerns, and has largely been replaced by more modern day agents such as ibuprofen or naproxen.  Col

What is gout? Gout is actually a form of arthritis.  It can occur in either gender, but is more common in men. The incidence of gout in women increases in frequency after menopause.  Episodes of gout can be sudden and may occur as an episode of pain, redness and/or tenderness in a joint. The base of the great toe is a common site for gout attacks. The affected joint may feel as if it is on fire; redness and tenderness can be so severe that even the weight of a bed sheet may be intolerable. The symptoms of gout, as mentioned can occur suddenly without warning. They include intense joint pain, commonly in the big toe. Other joints can be affected by this as well, including the feet, ankles, knees, hands or wrists.  The pain is most likely to be severe during the first twelve to twenty four hours from onset. Some discomfort may linger, anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.  Swelling, redness and tenderness may persist. The good news is--the cause of g

If you suffer from fibromyalgia related noise sensitivity, some quiet time after exposure may offer some relief. The pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia are difficult to deal with; these are the most well known symptoms and are being studied extensively.  Other aspects of this condition are just becoming realized--one of these being an enhanced sensitivity to a noises. Current thinking about the sensitivity to pain in fibromyalgia occurs because there is an  inability to "tune out" painful sensations.  This same faulty filtration mechanism may also explain the problems with decreased tolerance to noise. In the meantime, there are several things one can do to help control the noise issue: --First and foremost, try to avoid  noisy environments as much as possible. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! --It might also be a good idea to be familiar with meditative techniques, such as deep breathing techniques. --If it is possible to leave premises in sea