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Author Archives: admin
Pulsed Radiofrequency – New Hope for “Sciatica”/radiculitis of Neck and Back – but where available?
Traditional treatments for referred nerve pain of neck and back have been inadequate. As mentioned previously, opioids and other pain modifying medications work poorly in radiculitis, leading to an American summation that there is no proved drug treatment for radiculopathy. … Continue reading
Posted in Back Pain, Mechanical aids, Thoracic
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Post-Stroke Pain – New Hope – Vestibular Stimulation and Maybe for Spinal Pain too
Post- stroke victims with central pain can be left with excruciating pain, often one whole side. If their vestibular system is intact (absence of “marked post-stroke disequilibrium.”), then one cold water ear irrigation can drop pain scale levels by more … Continue reading
Posted in central & spinal
1 Comment
The Pain Diagnosis that Cannot be Made in Women – Spine Arthritis – Ankylosing Spondylitis
A recent study found doctors had a poor knowledge of the features of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) which is why only 6% of women with this disease are properly diagnosed by GP’s. This will mean women with active spinal arthritis might … Continue reading
Posted in arthritis
4 Comments
New Treatment for Thumb base Arthritis – 60% relief but you won’t like it… and what else can be done
Arthritis of the joint in the wrist down from the thumb can be common and in some cases eludes successful treatment. Recent article published in the prestigious medical journal, Pain, describes one application of leeches to the area can reduce … Continue reading
Posted in arthritis
9 Comments
Hip Warning in Elderly
In a prospective study, 26.3% of elderly subjects developed hip pain before their fracture. Study concluded that people should be questioned about appearance of new symptoms. “A better recognition of “prefracture” pain in the elderly may allow adequate management and … Continue reading
Posted in Leg Pains
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Unresolved Whiplash? – Look for Shoulder Impingment.
11/220 cases of whiplash, examined medico-legally for non-resolution, had comorbid subacromial impingment, many of which had been missed. This adds to the growing legion of real problems missed in whiplash cases.
Posted in Insurer issues, Neck, shoulder
2 Comments
Are Canker Sores Part Neurologically Driven?
Article in press found injection of Botox into aphthous ulcers not only gave relief of pain in three days but freedom of recurrence for more than 6 months
Posted in ENT
2 Comments
Stomach Enteroviral infection in Chronic Fatigue?
In January, published report found evidence of persistent enteroviral infection in the stomach of people with chronic fatigue. Similarly, duodenal ulcers were found to be due, in part, to a stomach germ, helicobacter pylori. Many carry this germ harmlessly but … Continue reading
Posted in chronic fatigue
3 Comments
Super Capsaicin for Neuropathic Pain Control Looks Promising
The use of a SINGLE application of a 8% (vs 0.025 – 0.075 usually used) capsaicin patch (NGX-4010) resulted in significant relief for over 12 weeks in HIV neuropathic pain. Given the old technique (4 X/day gel application for two … Continue reading
Posted in neuropathic, Topical Pain Treatments
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Action Pain Support Group Regina New Home
At the Canadian Pain Society Meeting in Victoria, it was announced that (National) Action of People with chronic pain has a new chapter in Regina. Terry Bremner, President of Action Atlantic, negotiated transition of the Fibromyalgia support group in Regina … Continue reading
Posted in Regina Pain News
2 Comments
Can’t Tolerate Arthritis Pills? – Try SAMe But Give It a Month.
Most NSAID’s (arthrtis pills) have a GI bleed (stomach bleed) rate of 10%. Diclofenac is 7%. Celebrex is 5% but only if they are not taking ASA. I have cases that cannot tolerate any NSAID’s or due to major GI … Continue reading
Migraine treatment options
Some years ago, I came across a graph, that explained some migraine treatments options. I found it handy to show patients but have upgraded it. The original graph was this: Therapeutic gain of migraine prophylaxis compared to placebo. Graph shows … Continue reading
Posted in Headaches
2 Comments
Microglia Key to Neuropathic Pain
While much is written about gimped NMDA receptors in chronic pain, the innocuous support tissues in the spinal cord, the “glial cells”, turn out to be a big player. An inhibitor of these cells, clopidogrel – known as Plavix – … Continue reading
Posted in neuropathic, Pathophysiology
2 Comments
Dyspepsia (Indigestion) Under 45 – Eradicate Helicobacter Pylori
Controversy abounds over whether People with dyspepsia should have H. pylori colonization treated. Recent article concludes “The main therapeutic strategy for managing dyspepsia in patients under the age of 45 years is ‘test and treat’. H. pylori eradication is recommended … Continue reading
Posted in Abdominal pain
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Mast Cells and Histamine Receptors Cause Pain in Interstital Cystitis (IC) and We Must Deal Better With Peripheral Pain Generators
Startling findings from gene deletion mice experiments implicate mast cells and histamine receptors in IC. It is also implicated that other peripheral sensitizations might follow that process.
Posted in Interstial Cystitis/Gynecologic
1 Comment
WCB Suggestions
I have had some pleas about how to deal with case workers. Worker’s advocate, media, and politicians are impotent because of thier lack of medical knowledge. There is potentially some loose end they don’t know about that could make all … Continue reading
Posted in Insurer issues
6 Comments
Post Vertebral Fracture Pain – Balloon Kyphoplasty Resources – Miraculous Results
Post vertebral fracture pain can be disabling and longstanding and spell the beginning of the end for some cases. Almost immediate relief can be obtained by tunneling a balloon into the vertebral body and pumping it up with hot plastic. … Continue reading
Posted in Back Pain, Mechanical aids
5 Comments
Regina Chronic Pain Self-Management Eduaction Program Open to Public
At Wascana Rehab Centre on 23rd Ave., a chronic pain group meets. Formerly, it was only available through invitation from a rehab specialist. Now, it is open to the general public. Your doctor, or another health care professional, can refer … Continue reading
Posted in Sask Pain Advice
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How Should One Investigate Chronic Back Pain and What about the Back Muscles?
Exercise programs and biopsychosocial fear-avoidance perspectives abound but what workup should be involved prior to such processes? Despite attempts to talk about “nonspecific chronic back pain”, research has demonstrated that in most many cases, a specific diagnosis can be made … Continue reading
Posted in Back Pain
11 Comments
Manipulation attacked as insufficent by self
Whether Manipulation helps is a long held dispute. Despite some positive studies, argument still rages whether this is better than “usual care”. This would have to assume millions of people getting manipulation are crazy.
Posted in Manual Med
1 Comment
Post Hernia Surgery Helped by TENS and Should Surgeons be Doing Hernia Repairs if They do Not Know How to Deal with the Persistent Pain Afterwards?
Pain after hernia surgery is common. Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TNS) seems to help post operatively and one wonders if it might have lasting effects. I was always taught that one should not do a procedure unless one can deal with … Continue reading
Posted in neuropathic, Post Hernia
40 Comments
Estrogenic Effects on Pain Blocked by ACE Inhibitors?
Quoted article starts by saying: “Many painful conditions occur more frequently in women, and estrogen is a predisposing factor. Estrogen may contribute to some pain syndromes by enhancing axon outgrowth by sensory dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons.” This effect may … Continue reading
Posted in Drugs, Pathophysiology
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Pamidronate and Clodronate – hope for CRPS and Back Pain
Pamidronate can significantly help over 3/4 of RSD and reduce chronic back pain through a series of simple infusions. It is expensive and because of a poorly designed negative study, has not reached full acceptance for the good it can … Continue reading
Posted in complex regional pain, IV therapy, neuropathic
12 Comments
Etanercept (Enbrel) for Radiculitis (Sciatica)
The common and disabiling pain condition is chronic lumbar radiculopathy (chronic back pain/Sciatica). Despite the widespread promotion of treatments of neuropathic pain a recent analysis of neuropathic pain treatments has concluded the following: “To date, no medications have demonstrated efficacy … Continue reading
Posted in Back Pain, Drugs, Neck, neuropathic, radiculitis
35 Comments
Cannot treat Chronic Pain in Saskatchewan
I am sending out a call for people to help petition the government for coverage of pain medications in Saskatchewan. This is a letter I sent out through the Sask. Pain Network: To Sask Pain Network: It seems impossible … Continue reading
Posted in Sask Pain Advice
8 Comments