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Feb 28
2008
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What Works & What Doesn't
Chronic Pain
What Works?
A Glass of Wine
Pros:
This strongly depends if you are taking any other medication. It may sound over simplifiedbut if you are not on any medications try a glass of wine. I have found it particularly useful. It works and has the least side effects of everything I've tried. In 5 years of chronic nerve pain I have been on everything. It takes usually 75% of my nerve pain away with no side effects or long term health problems.
Cons:
You cannot drink alcohol while on most meds. Consumption of excessive alcohol while taking pain relievers can be dangerous to your health. Also, it is not suited for those who have substance abuse problems for obvious reasons. The pain relief is temporary and inconsistent. Not for those under 21. (1) According to the Surgeon general, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.
Cymbalta
Pros:
Within two days of taking Cymbalta my nerve pain was 100 % gone. For the first time in 5 years! I could wear my clothes and get hugs without cringing and writhing in pain. Also Cymbalta is an anti-depressant so I was happy! Really happy! If you are an insomnia take this at night. It can cause drowsiness. People of most ages can take it!
Cons:
All miracle drugs have a catch. You have to have a prescription and be well monitored on Cymbalta. It can cause drastic behavior changes. Also, I personally when on this drug was sick for the first two weeks. It caused nausea and constipation and I was extremely tired. I stayed on Cymbalta for 6 months. Eventually, after the first two week period the side effects went away. Cymbalta for me was best taken at night. The drowsiness never went away. But I would wake up refreshed if I took it at night. Cymbalta has lots of other side effects which I will not comment on here. Also you CANNOT have alcohol on this med.
2. Muscle Spasms
What Works?
A Glass of Wine
Pros:
Ok. I know you may think that I am an alcoholic, but here me out on this one. Wine and Alcohol have been used throughout the centuries as an awesome pain reliever and muscle relaxants. It is through the abuses of alcohol that is gets its bad name. Wine naturally relaxes the muscles and your "attitude" I have found that spasms increase 10 fold with stress and pain for those with Brown Séquard Syndrome. A simple glass or two depending on your body weight relieves the "trigger" for spasms.
Cons:
You cannot drink alcohol while on most meds. Consumption of excessive alcohol while taking pain relievers can be dangerous to your health. Also, it is not suited for those who have substance abuse problems for obvious reasons. Not for those under 21. (1) According to the Surgeon general, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.
Baclofen / Lioresal
Pros:
Baclofen is a muscle relaxer and an antispastic agent. It is used to treat muscle symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis, including spasm, pain, and stiffness. I have used Baclofen. It got me through some pretty rough times.
Cons:
Baclofen can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of Baclofen. Do not use Baclofen at a time when muscle tone is needed to assure safe balance and movement for certain activities. In some situations, it may endanger your physical safety to be in a state of reduced muscle tone. Taken in high doses it can also cause you to loose massive amounts of hair. You may have withdrawal symptoms such as seizures or hallucinations, when you stop using Baclofen after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
More Helpful Hints
Beyond a healthy glass of wine, no matter where you stand on that issue, there are other natural safe things you can do. Here are some great ways to stay healthy.
Stay on a Diet. Forever.
Don't starve yourself. Don't overeat. Maintain a healthy weight. If you are too heavy, it puts extra strains on your muscles causing more pain. Being over weight causes an abundance of problems. You already have Brown Séquard Syndrome. You don't need more problems.
Also Being underweight is a huge health hazards. BBS'ers fall a lot. If you are just skin and bones. You are going to have lots of broken bones!
2. Exercise or Exorcise.
Your choice. Keeping up with your physical therapy is the best thing you can ever do. You need to keep active. Even If you never go back to therapy do it at home. If you don't use what you have, your muscles will atrophy causing great depression and pain.
Extraordinary pain! If you don't Exercise, your family and nurses may want to Exorcise you!
3. Talk
Communication is your best friend. Talk to everyone. Talk to your nurses, doctors, cleaning staff, pastor, boss, co-workers, friends, family, dog, cat, fish, the lady carrying your groceries, the priest, the gas station tenant, your phone operator, teachers, anyone. Say what's on your mind. Share your needs. No one can read your mind. No one can see your heart pain. No one can possibly feel your nerve pain. Share your feelings, thoughts, ideas, concerns, thank you's and wish lists.
4. Enjoy where you are.
Are you working? Enjoy the paycheck and comradery of those you work with. Are you in the hospital? Enjoy the prepared meals, cable tv, and sponge baths. Are you at home? Well, There's no place like home. Are you walking? Good for you. Are you in a wheelchair? Accidentally run over someone's toes. Be grateful. It helps others help you.
I am not a doctor. This is purely written from my life's experiences. Before changing anything you do talk to your doctor!
Chronic Pain
What Works?
A Glass of Wine
Pros:
This strongly depends if you are taking any other medication. It may sound over simplifiedbut if you are not on any medications try a glass of wine. I have found it particularly useful. It works and has the least side effects of everything I've tried. In 5 years of chronic nerve pain I have been on everything. It takes usually 75% of my nerve pain away with no side effects or long term health problems.
Cons:
You cannot drink alcohol while on most meds. Consumption of excessive alcohol while taking pain relievers can be dangerous to your health. Also, it is not suited for those who have substance abuse problems for obvious reasons. The pain relief is temporary and inconsistent. Not for those under 21. (1) According to the Surgeon general, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.
Cymbalta
Pros:
Within two days of taking Cymbalta my nerve pain was 100 % gone. For the first time in 5 years! I could wear my clothes and get hugs without cringing and writhing in pain. Also Cymbalta is an anti-depressant so I was happy! Really happy! If you are an insomnia take this at night. It can cause drowsiness. People of most ages can take it!
Cons:
All miracle drugs have a catch. You have to have a prescription and be well monitored on Cymbalta. It can cause drastic behavior changes. Also, I personally when on this drug was sick for the first two weeks. It caused nausea and constipation and I was extremely tired. I stayed on Cymbalta for 6 months. Eventually, after the first two week period the side effects went away. Cymbalta for me was best taken at night. The drowsiness never went away. But I would wake up refreshed if I took it at night. Cymbalta has lots of other side effects which I will not comment on here. Also you CANNOT have alcohol on this med.
2. Muscle Spasms
What Works?
A Glass of Wine
Pros:
Ok. I know you may think that I am an alcoholic, but here me out on this one. Wine and Alcohol have been used throughout the centuries as an awesome pain reliever and muscle relaxants. It is through the abuses of alcohol that is gets its bad name. Wine naturally relaxes the muscles and your "attitude" I have found that spasms increase 10 fold with stress and pain for those with Brown Séquard Syndrome. A simple glass or two depending on your body weight relieves the "trigger" for spasms.
Cons:
You cannot drink alcohol while on most meds. Consumption of excessive alcohol while taking pain relievers can be dangerous to your health. Also, it is not suited for those who have substance abuse problems for obvious reasons. Not for those under 21. (1) According to the Surgeon general, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.
Baclofen / Lioresal
Pros:
Baclofen is a muscle relaxer and an antispastic agent. It is used to treat muscle symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis, including spasm, pain, and stiffness. I have used Baclofen. It got me through some pretty rough times.
Cons:
Baclofen can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of Baclofen. Do not use Baclofen at a time when muscle tone is needed to assure safe balance and movement for certain activities. In some situations, it may endanger your physical safety to be in a state of reduced muscle tone. Taken in high doses it can also cause you to loose massive amounts of hair. You may have withdrawal symptoms such as seizures or hallucinations, when you stop using Baclofen after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
More Helpful Hints
Beyond a healthy glass of wine, no matter where you stand on that issue, there are other natural safe things you can do. Here are some great ways to stay healthy.
Stay on a Diet. Forever.
Don't starve yourself. Don't overeat. Maintain a healthy weight. If you are too heavy, it puts extra strains on your muscles causing more pain. Being over weight causes an abundance of problems. You already have Brown Séquard Syndrome. You don't need more problems.
Also Being underweight is a huge health hazards. BBS'ers fall a lot. If you are just skin and bones. You are going to have lots of broken bones!
2. Exercise or Exorcise.
Your choice. Keeping up with your physical therapy is the best thing you can ever do. You need to keep active. Even If you never go back to therapy do it at home. If you don't use what you have, your muscles will atrophy causing great depression and pain.
Extraordinary pain! If you don't Exercise, your family and nurses may want to Exorcise you!
3. Talk
Communication is your best friend. Talk to everyone. Talk to your nurses, doctors, cleaning staff, pastor, boss, co-workers, friends, family, dog, cat, fish, the lady carrying your groceries, the priest, the gas station tenant, your phone operator, teachers, anyone. Say what's on your mind. Share your needs. No one can read your mind. No one can see your heart pain. No one can possibly feel your nerve pain. Share your feelings, thoughts, ideas, concerns, thank you's and wish lists.
4. Enjoy where you are.
Are you working? Enjoy the paycheck and comradery of those you work with. Are you in the hospital? Enjoy the prepared meals, cable tv, and sponge baths. Are you at home? Well, There's no place like home. Are you walking? Good for you. Are you in a wheelchair? Accidentally run over someone's toes. Be grateful. It helps others help you.
I am not a doctor. This is purely written from my life's experiences. Before changing anything you do talk to your doctor!