|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Modern
medicine
is
rapidly
advancing.
There
are
many
types
of
treatments
available.
Pain
differs
from
person
to
person,
so
a
treatment
plan
will
be
designed
by
your
pain
management
specialist
that
is
appropriate
for
your
individuals
needs.
Treatment
can
include
a
single
approach
or
a
combination
of
medications,
therapies
and/or
procedures.
|
| PHARMACOLOGICAL
MEDICATIONS:
Narcotics
-
Narcotics
can
be
used
to
treat
acute
pain
or
cancer
pain
but
are
prescribed
on
a
more
limited
basis
for
chronic
pain.
Narcotic
can
be
addicting,
so
your
physician
will
be
very
careful
about
prescribing
them.
However,
according
to
research,
when
taken
properly,
many
chronic
pain
patients
do
not
become
addicted.
When
you
are
taking
narcotics,
it
is
important
to
remember
that
there
is
a
difference
between
psychological
addiction
and
physical
dependence.
Using
narcotics
can
be
dangerous
and
may
not
help
your
particular
type
of
pain.
|
| Anti-Inflammatory
Medications
-
Aspirin-like
drugs
reduce
swelling,
irritation
and
relieve
pain. |
|
Anti-Depressant
Medications
-
Originally
used
to
treat
depression,
however
studies
now
show
these
medications
can
alleviate
pain
in
certain
situations.
They
may
also
have
added
benefit
of
helping
patients
sleep.
|
Anti
-Seizure
Medications
-
May
help
relieve
certain
types
of
pain
by
reducing
abnormal
electrical
discharges
in
damaged
nerves.
|
Other
Medications
-
Other
types
of
medicine
may
be
prescribed
that
are
more
specific
to
other
types
of
pain.
|
DIAGNOSTIC
AND
THERAPEUTIC
NERVE
BLOCKS:
Diagnostic
nerve
blocks
are
done
as
a
means
of
determining
more
precisely
the
cause
of
certain
types
of
pain,
they
may
also
be
therapeutic
(help
relieve
pain)
in
certain
situations.
Therapeutic
nerve
blocks
are
done
in
an
effort
to
relieve
certain
types
of
pain
and
may
be
done
in
a
series,
two
or
more
over
a
period
of
days
or
weeks. |
SPINAL
ENDOSCOPY:
Spinal
Endoscopy
is
a
minimally
invasive
procedure
used
to
diagnose
and
treat
the
causes
of
chronic
low
back
pain
and
radiculopathy.
Using
an
instrument
called
a
flexible
fiberoptic
epiduroscope
and
steerable
guiding
catheter,
the
physician
is
able
to
visually
inspect
anatomical
structures,
tissue
and
nerves
inside
the
epidural
space.
|
Spinal
Endoscopy
is
not
for
everyone
and
not
everyone
can
benefit
from
the
procedure.
Your
physician
can
determine
your
eligibility
after
performing
a
through
History
and
Physical
Examination.
You
are
probably
a
candidate
for
spinal
endoscopy
if
your
back
pain
radiates
to
the
legs
(called
Radiculopathy)
and
you
have
failed
other
less
invasive
or
conservative
therapies
or
surgery.
You
are
less
likely
to
be
a
candidate
if
you
have
other
serious
diseases
or
psychiatric/psychological
disorders.
|
|
|
OTHER
PROCEDURES:
- Implantation
of
device
for
intratheal
or
epidural
drug
infusion,
subcutaneous
reservoir
- Spinal
neurostimulators
pulse
generator
- Spinal
neurostimulator
electrodes
- Radiofrequency
Nerve
Lesioning
|
PHYSICAL
AND
OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY:
Therapeutic
exercise,
whirlpool,
ultrasound,
moist
heat
and
massage
are
some
of
the
types
of
treatment
that
will
be
suggested.
Therapeutic
activities
and
patient
education
are
also
of
benefit. |
|
PSYCHOLOGICAL
SUPPORT:
There
can
be
psychological
effects
from
chronic
pain.
It
can
produce
feelings
of
anger,
sadness,
hopelessness
and
despair.
It
can
alter
your
personality,
disrupt
sleep
and
interfere
with
work
and
personal
relationships.
|
|
RELAXATION/MEDITATION:
There
are
numerous
forms
of
relaxation
therapy
that
are
helpful
to
patients.
Relaxation
training
and
stress
management,
biofeedback
and
meditation
can
all
be
beneficial. |
We
believe
that
a
time
set
aside
each
day
to
close
your
eyes,
take
some
deep
breathes,
listen
to
some
relaxing
music
and
think
only
pleasant
thoughts,
with
the
idea
of
you
controlling
the
pain
rather
than
the
pain
taking
control
of
you.
Perhaps
15
minutes
twice
a
day. |
WHAT
YOU
CAN
DO
TO
HELP
YOURSELF:
Diet
-
Many
people
suffering
from
chronic
pain
are
overweight.
Being
excessively
overweight
can
be
very
damaging
to
muscles,
tendons,
and
joints,
not
to
mention
the
increased
stress
on
the
cardio-respiratory
system
and
the
general
body
physiology.
We
believe
weight
loss
is
something
overweight
people
can
and
must
do
to
help
relieve
their
pain.
|
Exercise
-
Exercise
increase
the
tone
of
muscles,
helps
to
relieve
spasms
and
increases
oxygenation
of
muscle
tissue.
Exercise
improves
function
of
tendons
and
joints,
as
well
as
benefiting
the
cardiovascular-respiratory
system.
A
systematic,
daily
exercise
program
is
something
people
can
do
to
help
themselves
with
many
pain
problems. |
Attitude
-
How
you
feel
about
your
health
is
probably
more
important
to
your
well
being
than
anything
else
you
do.
You
need
to
maintain
a
positive
attitude
-
"I
WILL
CONTROL
THE
PAIN-
THE
PAIN
WILL
NOT
CONTROL
ME"
ATTITUDE.
THERE
IS
USUALLY
NO
MAGIC
BULLET
OR
MIRACLE
CURE. |
PAIN
FACILITIES
WILL
ATTEMPT
TO
DO
ALL
THAT
THEY
CAN
TO
HELP
YOU
MANAGE
YOUR
PAIN,
BUT
YOU
MUST
ALSO
BE
WILLING
TO
COOPERATE. |
|
|
Author:
Robert
V.
Plehn,
M.D.,
DABA,
FACA
Medical
Director,
DoctorsForPain.com |
|
|
|
|
 |
| |
| Acetaminophen |
|
|
|
| Acetaminophen
(Tylenol) |
| Non-Steroidal
Anti-Inflammatory
Drugs |
Diclofenac
(Cataflam,
Voltaren)
Etodolac
(Lodine)
Ibuprofen
(Advil,
Motrin,
Nuprin)
Indomethacin
(Indocin)
Naproxen
(Anaprox,
Naprosyn)
Piroxicam
(Feldene)
Tolmetin
(Tolectin) |
| Salicylates |
Aspirin
Salsalate
(Disalcid,
Mono-Gesic,
Salflex,
Salgesic,
Salsitab) |
| Narcotic
Analgesics |
Codeine
Fentanyl
Topical
(Duragesic)
Meperidine
(Demerol)
Morphine
(Kadian,
MS
Contin,
Oramorph,
Roxanol)
Oxycodone
(OxyContin,
Oxyir,
Percolone,
Roxicodone)
Propoxyphene
(Darvon)
Tramadol
(Ultram) |
| Narcotic
Combinations |
Acetaminophen
and
Codeine
(Tylenol
with
Codeine)
Acetaminophen
and
Hydrocodone
(Lorcet,
Lortab,
Norco,
Vicodin,
Zydone)
Acetaminophen
and
Oxycodone
(Endocet,
Percocet,
Roxicet,
Tylox)
Acetaminophen
and
Propoxyphene
(Darvocet,
Wygesic)
Acetaminophen
and
Tramadol
(Ultracet)
Acetaminophen
/
Butalbital
/
Caffeine
(Fioricet)
Aspirin
and
Codeine
(Empirin
with
Codeine)
Aspirin
and
Hydrocodone
(Panasal)
Aspirin
and
Oxycodone
(Endodan,
Percodan,
Roxiprin)
Aspirin
/
Butalbital
/
Caffeine
(Fiorinal) |
| Tricyclic
Antidepressants |
Amitriptyline
(Elavil,
Endep,
Vanatrip)
Amoxapine
(Asendin)
Clomipramine
(Anafranil)
Desipramine
(Norpramin)
Doxepin
(Adapin,
Sinequan)
Imipramine
(Tofranil)
Nortriptyline
(Aventyl) |
| Antihistamines |
| Hydroxyzine
(Atarax,
Rezine,
Vistaril) |
| Anticonvulsants |
Carbamazepine
(Carbatrol,
Epitol,
Tegretol)
Clonazepam
(Klonopin)
Neurontin
(Gabapentin)
Phenytoin
(Dilantin)
Valproic
Acid
(Depakene) |
| Muscle
Relaxants |
Baclofen
(Lioresal)
Carisoprodol
(Soma,
Vanadom)
Chlorzoxazone
(Paraflex,
Relaxazone,
Remular)
Cyclobenzaprine
(Flexeril)
Methocarbamol
(Robaxin)
Orphenadrine
(Norflex) |
| Corticosteroids |
Dexamethasone
Prednisone |
| Neuroleptics |
Fluphenazine
(Permitil,
Prolixin)
Haloperidol
(Haldol) |
| Local
Anesthetics |
| Mexiletine
(Mexitil) |
| Other
Drugs |
Clonidine
(Catapres)
Calcitonin
Capsaicin
(Zostrix) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
website design, text, graphics, the selection and arrangement
thereof are the copyrighted works of Doctorsforpain.com,
© 2010.
All Rights Reserved. |
|
|