Monthly Archives: May 2010

Episopic Burning Feet? – Erythromelalgia They Call It – Newer RX

Erythromelalgia (EM) is a syndrome of  burning pain in the feet often accompanied by redness and  warmth,and  often aggravated by heat and exercise. Cold water soaks are the mainstay of treatment. Painkillers are usually ineffective. IV lidocaine and mexelitine hold … Continue reading

Posted in Leg Pains | 9 Comments

Sciatica Pain Is Different and Does NOT Respond Much to Pregabalin (Lyrica)

Recent guidelines for treating Neuropathic pain have drawn extensively from results with Diabetic and Post Herpetic Neuropathy. I have written about how those results cannot be generalized to treatment of Radiculopathy (sciatica either of back or neck).  see here:  Etanercept … Continue reading

Posted in Back Pain, radiculitis | 3 Comments

New Tool For Fibromyalgia Diagnosis Clinically

A series of 6 self-administered questions proved helpful in delineating fibromyalgia risk. A cut-off of 5/6 positive answers “gave the highest rate of correct identification of patients (87.9%), with a sensitivity of 90.5% and a specificity of 85.7%”.

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What Can One Do For Low Glutathione Levels?

Gluthathione levels decrease by 10-15% per decade – what can one do to help this anti-oxidant?

Posted in pain mechanisms | 1 Comment

Herbals For Diabetic Neuropathy Prevention

Though ignored by chronic pain groups, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and L acetyl Carnitine have shown promise if taken early in course of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

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Nerve Entrapment in Diabetic (DM) Peripheral Neuropathy – Surgery Helps Foot Ulcers and Charcot Foot Syndrome

Despite repeated studies demonstrating beneficial effects by Dellon and his contemporaries, resistance to idea of entrapment as being part of DM neuropathy continues. Recent studies demonstrate dramatic results from decompression.

Posted in neuropathic | 1 Comment

Intranasal Sufentanyl and Buccal Fentanyl for Breakthrough Cancer Pain

Breakthrough cancer pain occurs at least once in 2/3 of cancer patients. Either morphine sc injections, which require a needle, or fentanyl intranasal, which requires multiple sprays, has been used. Sufentanyl intranasal spray requires much less.

Posted in Drugs | 1 Comment

Does Itching Between Shoulder Blades Drive You Nuts? – Botox It

Noctalgia paresthetica is considered nerve damage in between shoulder blades leading to itching in areas. Treatments have not been that satisfactory to date

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New Treatment of Perineal / Pelvic Pain – Botox to Ganglion Impar

Sometimes chronic perineal pain comes out of the blue and one could certainly use a secret weapon. Botox to ganglion impar reduced one case of perianal and genital pain from 8/10 to 2-4/10 for months. 

Posted in pelvic | 12 Comments

What Can One Expect From Amitriptyline and Topiramate For Headaches?

Study compared the two agents and found their effects comparable except topiramate offered better some quality of life

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Lameness is Common in Milkherd But Probably the Cow’s Fault and Too Expensive to Fix

Recent study found lameness to be 36% in diary farms but control would take effort and there are financial constraints to fixing it. It just like being on WCB. 

Posted in Insurer issues | Leave a comment