Dear Friends in Pain.

Janet L. has severe pain from AS and FM, not to mention the (3)
discs in her neck which were ruptured. Raising (4) small children
after the death of her husband alone, left not much stamina after
spending endless nights pacing, taking hot baths, and then a
"GI bleed" from the NSAIDS she took.

Arnold P. has severe pain from RSD in his right leg, a logging
injury that left him in so much pain he wanted the leg amputated.
The surgeon corrected the broken bone but overcasted his leg
the probable cause of his pain (RSD) and a syndrome that is
incurable.

Toby L. has migraines. She has tried every remedy on the market,
and had a near fatal MI (heart attack) from Imitrex which did little
to help the pain but she was desperate.

JoAnne M. had ovarian cancer. Prior to her final bout with surgery
she had a history of 14 pelvic surgeries leaving her with chronic
pelvic pain and IC which is now in remission.

Most of these patients suffered needlessly due to lack of pain
management. Depending on where they lived, their physician's
training, or outdated notions that "opioids" make those in pain an
addict they were not administered medications that are relatively
safe and allow quality of life.

Some exerpts below (see link for full story) contribut to the truth
regarding progressive pain management:

1. Opioids effectively control both neuropathic and structural
pain.
2. Opioids are safe overall as opposed to many medications
taken OTC and muscle relaxers.
3. Pain management allows a return to quality of life, less
disability, less joint contractures and deterioration,
increased mood, family interactions and overall well being.
4. Pain management COSTS less in the long run then
blocks and other procedures which can cause further
damage.

The long acting pain medications were created to avoid the peaks
and valleys attained with short acting medications. They last for a period
of time:

1. Oxycontin (LA oxycodone)
2. MS Contin or Kadian (LA morphine)
3. Methadone (the least expensive LA medication)
4. Duragesic patch (Fentanyl transdermal)

Utilized properly, with BT medication PAIN of a chronic nature can be
controlled. Rule of thumb should be upward titration at the onset of
therapy to the tolerable dose to relieve pain and avoid untoward
side effects. BT medication should NOT exceed (2) or (3) dosages a day.

The (4) patients above now have quality of life due to LA medications.
If you are suffering chronic intractable pain that is incurable, discuss
with your physician the use of LA pain medication.

Peace,
Karen

http://www.jhu.edu/~jhumag/0699web/pain.html

Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon James Campbell has heard many stories like
Patricia Townson's. As director of the Johns Hopkins Blaustein Pain Treatment
Center, and past president of the American Pain Society, he has treated hundreds
of patients who suffer from chronic pain--unremitting, often incurable agony
that persists for weeks, months, or even years. Frequently, he treats them with
a "therapeutic trial" of morphine or other natural or synthetic morphine-like
drugs, known collectively as the opioids.
"Based on my experience, opioids are more effective than any single class
of drugs for chronic pain," the neurosurgeon says. "We have doctors, lawyers,
professional people who are taking morphine or methadone [a synthetic opioid]
for chronic pain and are doing fine." Opioids do not damage the liver or
kidneys, as certain anti-inflammatory agents can; or lead to ulcers, the way
aspirin can; or induce Parkinson's-like shakiness, the way schizophrenia
medications can. All these substances have been used for chronic pain.
CAMPBELL AND PAPPAGALLO POINT OUT that there's an important distinction
between drug dependence, and drug abuse or addiction. Opioid users do become
physically dependent on the drugs they take and will suffer withdrawal symptoms
if they stop taking them. Morphine withdrawal can include diarrhea, muscle
aches, fever, and general flu-like symptoms. Though uncomfortable, these
symptoms
are not life-threatening.


Karen Hallenbeck~Sikorsky~George BS,RN,UM,QC
Owner-Moderator
"AnGeLsInPain"
"OneVoiceInPain"

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AnGeLsInPain

Interqual Certified
Published Psychiatric Researcher
Advocate for those in CIP, HIV, Psychologic Pain
"A Higher Power is necessary to find the ability to withstand self
destruction.."


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