Monthly Archives: February 2010

Surgery For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy – Another Option Not Available Here

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy with pain, and numb feet and toes could be the result of an entrapment like carpal tunnel and hence potentially treatable. However considerable controversy follows it.

Posted in neuropathic | 2 Comments

Diabetic (DM) Neuropathy – Think B12 Deficiency and More so if on Metformin

According to one article, low B12 (<200 mcg) occurs in 1/2 of non-metformin using diabetics. According to another recent article, “Chronic metformin use results in vitamin B12 deficiency in 30% of patients”. This could eventually lead to B12 deficiency neuropathy … Continue reading

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New Painkiller for Back & Knee Pains – Raloxifene (Evista) – a drug for Osteoporosis

There is a connection between osteoporosis and arthritis with arthritis settling in more in osteoporotic joints. Now an osteoporotic drug can not only help that but seems to have analgesic properties to back and knee pains if used regularly.

Posted in Back Pain, Drugs, Knee, osteoporosis | 2 Comments

Patients with Irritable Bowel (IBS) Should Avoid Shift Work

Irregular hours are hard on people with IBS according to one nursing study

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Groundbreaking News – A “Cure” For Chronic Discogenic Back Pain??

A simple procedure injecting 1 ml of 1% methylene blue followed by 1 ml 2% lidocaine into damaged disc has achieved unprecedented results

Posted in Back Pain, Injection | 1 Comment

New Chronic Pain Gene Identified – Beta2-Adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) – and Genes For Achilles and ACL Knee Ligament Problems

Using a British Cohort born in March 1958, over 8000 individuals were blood sampled and nucleotide polymorphism sequenced for ADRB2 and COMT (Catecholamine-O-methyltransferase), the latter previously implicated in pain genetics. Only ADRB2 of certain gene types were associated with increased … Continue reading

Posted in achilles, Fibromyalgia, Knee | Leave a comment

Immunoglobulin Infusion Improves Complex Regional Pain

Longstanding Complex Regional Pain can be incredibly difficult to treat. Now Immunoglobulin Infusions have been shown to drop pains scores by 1.55 units.

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Opioid Phobia Takes Hit – “Iatrogenic opioid addiction… rare” According to Cochrane Library

With all the courses and Physician college emphasis on opioid addiction detection one would think addiction was highly likely on opioids – a Cochrane review finds quite the opposite.

Posted in Drugs | 1 Comment

Severe Chronic Pain Kills

One thing that is never considered in an insurance settlement is the fact that 10 year survival may be less in people with severe pain. A recent article plots a survival decay curve

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Breast Cancer Help – Soy helps prevent recurrences and Free Maid Service

JAMA article finds 4 yr mortality rates were 10.3% and 7.4% in low and high soya users and 4-year recurrence rates were 11.2% and 8.0% as well. There is a free maid service for breast cancer victims in certrain communities.

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New Hope For Chronic Daily Headaches – Continuous Infusions of Dihydroergotamine

Repeated IV infusions of DHE (dihydroegotamine) is the standard treatment for breaking transformed migraines (into chronic daily headaches). Unfortunately, arranging patient to be seen every 8 hours is just not viable in our community. Now a continuous infusion protocol may … Continue reading

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Oxycodone and St. John’s Wort – a bad combination and Oxycodone and Death Rates

St. John’s wort may reduce oxycodone (oxycontin, oxy-IR, etc.) levels by 50%.

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Indigestion – when ulcers Pills don’t work – Think Nocturnal Bile Reflex – Helped by Domperidone

Chronic indigestion “dyspepsia” is a frequent medical problem and gets bad when ulcer pills fail to work. Now nighttime – bile reflux (regurgitation bile into stomach) may account for some. This is helped by agents that help bowel motility like … Continue reading

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