Monthly Archives: September 2006

Is Crushed Vertebrae a RSD? – New RX

It is not unusual to find asymptomatic compression fractures in the spine, while it has also been demonstrated that the same can cause disabling persistent pain. Now, with evidence of rapid pain response to IV Pamidronate, a drug found helpful … Continue reading

Posted in Back Pain, complex regional pain, IV therapy | 2 Comments

Bah to Lyme? – Check out Lichen Sclerosis RX

Lichen Sclerosis and its male equivalent balanitis xerotica obliterans can be disabling conditions. It can cause disabling pain, burning, pruritis, and genital lesions. Lyme disease Borrelia burgdorferi have been detected in cases of this, so a recent study used Lyme … Continue reading

Posted in Interstial Cystitis/Gynecologic | Leave a comment

CRPS – Peripheral endothelial dysfunction player

Evidence of microcirculatory endothelial dysfunction was documented in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome aka RSD. The peripheral changes could help trigger the central sensitization process.

Posted in complex regional pain, Pain Dystrophy | Leave a comment

Chronic cough might be sensory neuropathy

Ever have a patient with a chronic cough unresponsive to anti-reflux, allergic rhinitis, and asthma treatment? Sensory Neuropathy might be the problem and Amitriptyline the answer.

Posted in Pathophysiology | 35 Comments

Fibromyalgia no more poor copers than ill public

The finding that all ill people can “symptom intensify” and persons with Fibromyalgia(FM) don’t do it any more than any other illness is another nail in the coffin for FM being psychological. There will be a subgroup in FM that … Continue reading

Posted in Fibromyalgia | Leave a comment

Does Pain “Grow” at Tendon injury sites? -and Treatment tennis elbow

Studies on Achilles, Patellar and Lateral epicondylar (tennis elbow)tendonitis have demonstrated the ultrasound demonstrable appearance of a “vasculo-neural growth” that corresponds to the site of pain. In long-term resistant cases, treating these lesions with sclerosing agent, polidocanol, under ultrasound guidance; … Continue reading

Posted in Pathophysiology, tendonitis | 12 Comments

Microscopic Colitis – Undiagnosable Pain Generator?

There is a growing awareness that colitis can occur without any observable lesions on colonoscopy. Microscopic colitis is occasionally associated with spondylitis and may be associated with myofascial back pain by activating psoas and abdominal wall spasms. How then does … Continue reading

Posted in Abdominal pain | 1 Comment

Glucosamine in RA -pain but not inflammation?

Glucosamine 1500 mg/day seemed to help the pain of RA but not signs of inflammation – add on for Acetaminophen in NSAID intolerant along with fluvastatin (Lescol)?

Posted in arthritis, Drugs | Leave a comment

Sodium Channel effects in Fentanyl vs Morphine

Sodiums channels are important in central and peripheral neuropathic pains. Morphine has no effect but Fentanyl (in Duragesic), Tramadol (in Tramacet), and Sufentanil (10 more potent fentanyl) do. This highlights there is a rationale for switching to a different opioid.

Posted in Drugs, Pathophysiology | 1 Comment

Meditation Reduces Pain’s Thalamic Firing

Transcendental Meditation can reduce thalamic response to pain by 40-50% – highlighting how relaxation training needs to be an integral part of chronic pain treatment

Posted in Pathophysiology, psychology | Leave a comment

Vulvodynia be gone? Botox study

In this small study pain levels dropped from 8.3/10 to 1.4/10 without recurrence over the year of followup. One or two botox injection sessions were needed.

Posted in Interstial Cystitis/Gynecologic | 4 Comments

Varicella shots for shingles but tests ?useless

In 2005, a super-potent varicella-zoster vaccine established a 50% reduction in shingles over a 3 year period but left disturbing issues over whether the increased strength was necessary or a marketing ploy. Recent Zoster immunity testing locally cast doubt on … Continue reading

Posted in neuropathic | 1 Comment

Opioids “Get No Respect”

Opioids for chronic pain: Taking stock – editorial Pain – in press Sept 2006 Discusses a study finding people on opioids were not better off. I feel they failed to comprehend that poor copers may be the ones that need … Continue reading

Posted in Drugs | 1 Comment

Knee medial collateral lig calcification painful

On occasion, pain and calcification of the medial collateral ligament is reported in symptomatic knee patients. This can be a treatable condition.

Posted in Knee | 1 Comment

Celiac disease painful and hard to diagnose

The malabsortion of celiac disease can cause both osteomalacia and B12 deficiency among other things. These can be painful. Celiac is associated with spondylitis in some cases. A recent blood test result suggested lab testing can be insensitive.

Posted in Abdominal pain | 1 Comment

DC Stim Helps Spinal Damage Pain and Cranial Stim for Fibromyalgia

Apparently 60-70% of spinal cord sufferers are in pain and 1/3 of these severely. This sort of pain can be very difficult to treat. Yet DC current – enough to be gotten from a nine volt battery could significantly help

Posted in Fibromyalgia, Mechanical aids | Leave a comment