chronic pain syndrome
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chronic pain syndrome treatment

Read and learn more about chronic pain syndrome treatment. For more, visit the Chronic Pain website ChronicPainFAQ.org

Q: is there a good treatment for chronic pain syndrome?
please

A: Have you considered seeing a chiropractor?

Before you dismiss me entirely, let me explain chiropractic. Chiropractic is founded in the principle that our Central Nervous System (our brain, spinal cord, and nerves) controls EVERY bodily function. It is the master system of all our body systems, which is why damage to the spinal cord can cause paralysis and death.

When the spinal column (the bones around the spinal cord) is misaligned, the vertebrae can pinch the nerves that run out between them, causing pain, numbness/tingling, or any type of general malfunction in that nerve’s corresponding body part. Chiropractic calls this nerve interference a subluxation.

Subluxations cause damage to the body because they interfere with the nerve impulses between the brain and body. Chiropractic uses adjustments to move the vertebrae back into their right position and remove the pressure on the nerves. I used to work in a chiropractic office and saw how it helped people with fibromyalgia as well as neck and back pain, asthma, allergies, chronic fatigue, chronice ear infections, the list goes on!

I’m not saying that this will be a definite cure for you, but if your other doctors have ruled out any other serious threat to your health, if they can’t find the cause behind your pain and can only prescribe medication to mask the symptoms, then you might want to consider chiropractic. If you DO decide to see a chiropractor, first ask family and friends for recommendations. As with any profession, there are a lot of good DC’s and bad DC’s out there, so visit as many offices as you can and pick the chiropractor you are most comfortable with. No matter you decide to do, I hope that things improve for you. Good luck.

Q: I have chronic pain syndrome because of disk degeneration I am on pain meds as treatment. What else is the?
More treatment options?. I have three lower disc missing. Anyone have same problem. Need advice. Surgery last resort. It’s been 4 years and it gets old hurting all the time. Major depression.

A: I have almost the same problem. My 4 lower discs are gone & I am in agonizing pain all day unless I am on pain medication. I am now opting for surgery. I cannot stand the pain and discomfort any longer & have to do something about it. I’m sick & tired of taking pain medication to feel half normal, then i’m always tired from the meds. I am supposed to have a double artificial disc replacement & a double disc fusion, but my insurance won’t cover the artificial discs. I now have to have a quad. disc fusion, which sucks, but hopefully will help the pain & make me feel somewhat normal.

Have you tried any physical therapy or aqua therapy? Maybe that might help, for me it didn’t, made it worse. I feel your pain, literally.

I wish you the best. Good Luck.

Q: If you have Fibromyalgia and you have chronic myofascial pain syndrome – what treatments worked?
I’ve been suffering with Chronic Myofascial pin in my upper back all the way across & the only thing that really stops the pain is if I lay down (I’m not going into that business). I have NOT been to a therapist that specializes in myofascial pain but I do see a LMT every 2 weeks. I take muscle relaxers & Tramadol along with other pain relievers. Help!

A: I have had some luck with a supplement called d-ribose (corvalen is the brand name I use) it has helped with energy and pain some.

Q: Chronic Pain Syndrome?
Hi, I had a nasty atv accident 2 years ago and was diagnosed with CPS. Pretty much my whole left side aches all the time. I get nerve blocks done pretty much every week, I can’t work it’s too painfull. What I would like to know is there anyone out there who knows of other treatment options that could help also. The nerve blocks only help for so long.

A: Keeping healthy habits like eating healthy, getting enough sleep and exercising may help. Physical therapy, nerve stimulation or certain types of surgery may be able to ease your pain. There are also a bunch of complementary therapies you can experiment with, including acupuncture, aromatherapy, biofeedback, chiropractic therapy, guided imagery, healing touch, homeopathy, etc. Oftentimes, a combination of these therapies and medication can bring relief.

Talk to your doctor about trying something new in addition to the nerve blocks to help ease the pain.

To read more about chronic pain relief, check out the website I work for, AOL Health:

http://www.aolhealth.com/conditions/chronic-pain
http://www.aolhealth.com/conditions/chronic-pain/other-treatment

http://www.aolhealth.com/conditions/chronic-pain/home-treatment

Q: Any others out there with chronic pain?
I’m 15 and have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, and I was just wondering if any other people out there had chronic pain- what is your diagnosis, what treatments have you tried, and what helps your pain? Thanks!

A: I was just diagnosed with RSD myself a few days ago. I had a major knee surgery in December and a major nerve was severed and it never regenerated and I guess it sent my nervous system into a frenzy. Right now I am on oxycodone, but I am starting to take quite a few so I am not sure what my doctor will suggest at my next appointment. There is an RSD website that has patient testomonials and different treatment options. Maybe you could look on there for some ideas. I am too new to this myself to be of much more help than that. Good luck to you.

Q: Chronic Pain, Ultram ER Mystery Symptom?
First, I’ve told a Dr. about it, but I am searching for more Info. Maybe someone else dealing with similar chronic pain/pain meds, etc. Any info is appreciate.

So, I have been taking Ultram ER for about 6 months. Recently My dosage was upped to 200 mg/daily by my pain mgmt doctor. Also I take Ultracet (tramadol) 37.5 mg (as needed every 4 hours).

I recently noticed, that I have had a strange phenomenon happening that I believe could be a possible side effect?

When I told my Dr’s they ran some tests but did not find anything really.

The symptom is hard to explain, but basically a couple hours after I fall asleep I am in a sort of awake dream. My whole body feels completely numb, I can’t move or snap out of it. Tingly everywhere. When I finally do awake, I still feel tingly, although the symptoms are subsiding significantly, and I stand up very dizzy to the point where I fall down almost. It was pretty scary and doesnt happen every night but more like once or twice every couple weeks.

Here’s some backgound on me and my coniditions as I realize there may be other causes. 24, male, fit, athletic, non-smoker, no recreational drug use. 2 years ago, my lung spontaneously collapsed. ER, placed a small chest tube to reinflate my lung. The tube failed. A second tube was placed in my chest. The tube reinflated my lung. As I was to be released, I fell very very Ill. After a week in the hospital running tests, a week in ICU, loss of 25% body weight (near death), another chest tube (3) they finally found I had a staph infection in an empyema on my chest wall/lung. They did an emergency thoracotomy (scraping the infection out of my lung, removing small piece of my lung, and scraping my chest wall). Released after 4 weeks hospitalized. 4 more weeks IV antibiotics as outpatient. Severe chronic pain following. 4 radiofrequency ablation treatments on intercostal nerves to remove (some) pain. Chiropractor, Physical Therapy, Post Op Pain Meds (Oxy Codone, Percocet, Lyrica, Celebrex, Ultram ER, Ultracet). 2 Years moderate-severe Post Thoracotomy Chronic Pain Syndrome. Well thats the basics.

I told my doctor as well and got a similiar response, I have a whole team of pain doctors too. The ran MRI’s other tests, seemed concerend but couoldn’t figure it out and didn’t seem to think it was the meds. Also I started on a l ower dose, but it’s been raised over time. I dont know. Glad I actually got a a response though. Thanks.

A: Wow- That’s a lot of tramadol.. I am on Ultram it’s just the regular 50mg tabs, I take around 4 a day. Anyhow, w/ Ultracet being Ultram as well, just a lower dose, still being taken on top of Ultram I would imagine will put you at higher risks for seizures.. I’m not sure if you are have small ones.. I CAN tell you this tho, I have taken my dose close to bedtime and experienced something similar, and have always wondered what it is/was.. So it MUST be the meds… I have spoken to my doc, and he kinda looked at me odd.

Q: Can Lyrica help with my chronic myofascial pain syndrome, when pain isn’t my main symptom?
I don’t think I really have fibromyalgia, but I’ve responded to many of the lifestyle treatments as if I do. I have an intolerance of aerobic exercise, primarily. If I do too much, It’ll be just like I have fibromyalgia. But, I’m physically stronger and in much less pain than almost anyone with fibromyalgia. I’m trying to assess whether I should even try the Lyrica, or whether I should throw in the towel and reside myself to becoming a personal chef for myself because diet is more important than medicine with fibro-related problems? I appreciate your thoughts.

A: If medicine is something you want to try you may want to give Lyrica a go because there have been a lot of good responses in fibro patients. Diet and physical excercise do a lot to manage fibro symptoms but sometimes it is not enough. I know for me major weather changes will induce a flare up.

One thing I remember reading when I was researching lyrica is that some people notice a worsening of symptoms after going off the medication so if you’re not looking at it as a long term solution then you might want to try some other options. Best of luck!

Q: Chronic pain………. please help?
3 years ago i was in a car accident and suffered a whiplash injury. I was told i would get better within a couple of weeks but I instead ended up with a chronic pain syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome. I’m on so many painkillers and constantly feel down. I try to forget about the pain and get on with life but it’s so hard. I feel so guilty that all my friends and family have to out up with me and find it so unfair that i’m only 16 and am in constant pain. I know that they are so many people that are in far worse situations than me, but this is the worst situation that i personally have ever experienced.
I just wanted to know if anyone can give me any advice on how to cope better with this chronic pain or if anyone knows of any useful treatments or tablets that can help me get my life back on track.
please help, thanks.
I have pain in my neck, shoulders, top and bottom of back, the whole of my left leg, my right thigh and down my arms to the elbow.
the pain also spreads from my neck up into the back of my head and causes my severe headaches.

A: Many chronic pain conditions are not associated with any current physical injury. That’s because the brain controls whether or not you feel pain (there are nerve fibers that descend down to the spine and act as a “gate” for pain signals from your arms, legs, shoulders, or whatever. The good news is that because of this, there are psychological treatments that can help you cope with the pain. One of the more effective treatments is called Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management. It was developed in the 1970’s by Jon Kabat Zin for patients in his chronic pain clinic. Goggle it, and see if there is a therapist or pain center where you live that uses it. You are too young to suffer with this much pain, and you don’t want to develop a drug issue with all the meds that you have to take.

Q: Myofascial Pain Syndrome Prescription?
I have had myofascial pain syndrome for over 4 years now. I have pain in throughout my body, weakened strength, muscle spasms, nystagmus and tinnitus. I have seen well over 20 doctors, had multiple visits to the hospital and paid out of pocket in excess of 14 thousand dollars and spent much more than that with insurance. I have had periods where I also had intense nausea. I have tried supplements such as magnesium and vitamins and physical therapy for trigger points. I have been researching my symptoms for years now and discovering more possible causes and treatments. I have avoided trigger point injections because I do not believe them to address the cause and I believe them to be harmful. I have also not had any prescriptions except for a week or two after visiting the hospital to help with severe symptoms using ativan (I believe) though it didn’t really help much. I notice often my muscles will be firing off and spasming at random times during the day and my muscles feel very stiff. I also have pain in the face, electric like shocks in the face and weakened jaw from chewing. I have had a splint made for my jaw to re-allign it from a neuromuscular dentist, but this has only helped the jaw slightly and not addressed the pain in other parts of the body or other symptoms. Recently I have been feeling that I want some relief from the pain or thinking that my problem my need to be addressed internally or at the cellular level rather than purely externally through manipulation. I have done lots of research over the years and recently came upon a drug called Marinol that people seem to say helps with fibromialgia (a similar condition to MPS) as well as muscle spasms I also believe it is a vasodilator so it should help bring more oxygen into the tissue. It appears that lack of oxygen is a central problem that causes trigger points to form. I’m very much apposed to NSAI drugs because of their harm to the liver and because they can cause tinnitus as well as opiates and other drugs because of the harm they do. However I read about Marinol and learned it is a cannabinoid, which is a very safe drug compared to almost all other drugs available. What I want to know is 1. Do you think Marinol would provide relief from my pain and be less harmful than these other alternatives 2. Is there any process you would recommend when looking for a doctor that would help me using a method of treatment that I am conformable with who works well with chronic pain? The problem I’ve had is that every physical therapist or doctor has some physical therapy or diagnostic scan idea they want me to try and it keeps draining my money and it never gives me any relief. Would an osteopath be a good idea, or a chronic pain specialist or what would you recommend so I can try this approach to treating my trigger points and myofascial pain?

Thank you.
Added details: I have seen a neurologist and he said he didn’t think it was Multiple sclerosis or trigeminal neuralgia. Though I do have the symptoms of TN because the trigger points are making the muscles in my face spasm and pinch my trigeminal nerve. I also get numbness and tingling in my lips and face. As far as Marinol, it was approved for off label use in the 90’s. All of the text I’ve seen on MPS seem to say that trigger points are caused by ischema, which means lack of oxygen in the tissue. Thats why I think a drug that can function as a vascodialator and stop muscle spasms would be so helpful.

A: This is a very interesting case…MFPS is a poorly understood disorder as you know. I’ve never heard of the symptoms of tinnitus, nystagmus and electric shock feeling with this and would be concerned for a more neurological cause of the symptoms, such as MS…but I would presume that at this point you’ve run the gamut of neurologists and had that ruled out. If not, please do so.

I’m not that familiar with Marinol, but I think you have the right idea to bring this up to a pain management specialist. An osteopath might not give you the answers you are looking for either. Most osteopaths have moved to a more traditional medical approach…but there are few out there that prefer a more “alternative” approach.

After a brief read about Marinol, I see that it is currently approved to treat nausea, but not chronic pain (yet). So it might be prescribed for you to help with nausea, but will probably not be able to be used for an off-label use.

Q: Chronic Neurological Pain?
Hello! I suffer from nerve pain… sometimes is called Regional Pain Syndrome, or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome!
I found out there is another way of calling it: Chronic Neurological Pain! Does anyone here suffer from nerve pain? If so how long? and what treatment as help cope with it?

A: Typical first line approach to neurologic pain is Amitriptylline 25-50 mg nocte; anti-depressants are very effective in blocking this type of pain. Brufen is the anlagesia of choice – diamorphine in extreme cases. (Morphine can now be delivered to pain sites very effectively via buprenorphine transdermal ‘patches’). Other medical approaches might also include (under caution and strict management) the use of anti-epileptic drugs such as Gabapentin and Pregabalin. Muscle relaxants may also employed.
You do not say how your pain originated/ what triggers it/or even what areas are affected!!!
Either way the subject is a complex one, and severe chronic pain is best managed by a multi-disciplinary approach which involves not merely drugs, but assessment, advice, education and treatment from nurse specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and neurologists ie an entire team, normally to be found working in hospital ‘pain management’ clinics. You would be wise to get yourself a referral, via your primary care doctor or specialist.
As a last resort, and depending on your level of disability, anaesthetists can ‘dry-needle’ pain sites and can also apply total nerve blocks to completely eliminate focal areas of pain. Unfortunately these have only a temporary effect and therefore are not a total solution.
Best wishes.

Q: Have you or someone you know been cured or helped with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromalgia?
I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 1990. Then several years later they tell me that I have Fibromalgia. They same it is one in the same illness but I do not agree. My fatigue and muscle pain are totally different. Do you know of anyone who has overcome these illnesses? Please be as specific as possible on the different symptoms and range of treatment that you are aware of. Thanking you in Advance!

A: I have been diagnosed with CFS and Fibromalgia since 1990. This was prior to many people ever hearing of it. Two years before that I was treated by a Rhumatologist for Lupus. He fed me Prednisone for a year and I had to take myself off of them. I went to Vocation Rehab from my work and the couselor had a mother who had what sounded like what I was telling her. She gave me several books to read and I was certain that was what was wrong with me. The problem was the docotors at that time knew nothing about it and did not belive in it. My counselor told me of a new clinic in Charlotte, NC that was treating nothing but my illness. It tooks 9 mos. to get the appointment.

I went to the Hunter-Hopkins Clinic and with extensive testing and thousands of dollars later I had a diagnoses. I remeber crying because for 4 yrs. I thought no one believe in the severe pain and debilitating fatigue I was experiecing It was just a relief to know it was not all in my head. .

Over the years, I have tried about every thearpy and medicine there is for this illness. I tried the hydro-cold water thearpy and it only made my joints and pressure points hurt worse. I got an outdoor jacuzzi tub, only to relalize that the heat was too much for the fatige and it made me weak and I would faint. I also tried, hypnotherpy, acupuncture and every herb and vitamin. Nothing really worked.

My blood pressure went down dangeroulsy low and they did a tilit test on me and I passed out. I was sent to a cardologist to have that check and after extensive tesing he gave me medicine to rasie my blood presssure. However, after 6 months, my blood pressuer was too high and I had to take meds to lower it.

The worst part of all this is the chronic and severe depression I got from being so ill. I no longer take anything other than a my antidepressant, vitamins D, B2 and I take a special formula of B-12 injections. This seems to be helping. The major problem with this illness is that is it an auto-immune problem or dysfunctional immune system. My system make respond to a certain me mediciation for a period of time, but I have to constantly keep changing. My immune system will just stop respondng to them..

There have been those who get over it if they catch it in time but unfortunately I did not. I do believe these are two seperate illneness in the same auto-immune family. But, you can have one without the other. If you pace yourself and do only what your body will allow and do moderate excercise, you can to learn to live with devastating and debilitating illness. Whether it is one or both. I pray you will learn to take it one day at a time and get the rest when your body is warning you. Hang In There, I still believe they are close to finding a real cure!

Q: Best way to help deal with pain?
I am 15 and a chronic pain patient, and I’m trying to figure out some ways to help deal with my pain and get through school. I have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. I am currently working on trying to get into a new doctor and seeing if I can get accepted to an expiremntal pain manegment program (since I have exhausted many convetional treatments), and in the time being I am looking for suggestions to deal with my pain, any would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

A: One of the first places to go would be a reputable, informative sight such as : http://www.rsds.org/index2.html RSD and CRPS is a little understood, extremely painful disease (it ranks higher than Cancer and MUCH higher than childbirth on the McGill pain index chart). It is important to educate yourself regarding the disease as very few Dr’s know how to treat it, and early treatment is crucial to any sort of recovery. It is also very important to have someone to “vent” to if nothing else, as the Pain and restriction of activities cause depression easily. That support can be from family, friends, or an online support group, such as the RSD group on yahoo groups. this group is also a great place for family/ friends to join as they will see how terrible this disease is and how it’s not as rare as people think. Good luck to you.

Q: I’m 15 and have chronic pain?
I’m 15 and have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy for about 2 years now. I’ve had many different treatments done and none have completly turned around my pain. I’ve missed probably about half of each of my 8th & 9th grade years, and many of the kids think that I fake my pain and things like that. Almost all of my friends will be going to a different high school this year, and I’m really nervous about everything with my pain, making new friends, and just trying to make it through school. What can I do to help my friends understand that I am in more pain than they can imagne, and I don’t just skip out on school, it’s always because of a doctor appiontment, surgery, or I’m in too much pain to be at school? Also I have a spinal cord stimulator implant which has a battery in my hip how do I explain to kids when they ask about all of my incisions? Thanks.

A: i also have reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome. you are one of the few people whom i’ve ‘met’ who has it. although, i do not have as near as bad as you do.

when you’re asked about you’re incisions, be straight up. try to explain RSDS. although, no one will fully be able to grasp what you go through. when i was first diagnosed, about 6 yrs ago, my doctors were sure i was faking all my pains. soon enough, my parents began to believe me. you do not have to make anyone believe you, though i know its frustrating when people dont. all you can do is try to explain how you feel.

good luck with everything.

Q: My hair is falling out in large amounts I have aches and pains all over my body. What could be wrong with me?
I have been to many Dr.s and through many tests. I have been told I have Chronic pain syndrome and fibromyalgia. None of the treatments or medications have worked. I am now almost bald. This all has put me in the bed for the most part. Weak and tired racked with pain. I am extremely depressed because I no longer have a life. I need help really bad. Thanks.Michelle

A: Have they checked your thyroid levels lately? Even if it is “normal” sometimes thyroid medication in very low doses can make a HUGE difference in how you feel, and it definitely helps with the hair thing. Cymbalta and Lyrica almost killed me (literally) after using them for 5 years. Now I’m off them and on a tiny bit of synthroid. It’s much cheaper, and I feel so much better!!! Getting off the Cymbalta and Lyrica was terrible, but better than a coffin.

http://www.webmd.com/video/treating-low-thyroid Web MD has good info, so does the Mayo Clinic website.

I love my cheap, simple sythroid.

Q: What is the best way to deal with chronic neck pain due to 3 old whiplash injuries?
I had a gymnastics accident when I was 12 and whiplashed myself – the docs at that time told me I had a hairline fracture of one of my vertebrae. My neck never felt right – at that time (30 + years ago), PT was never suggested. I saw a Chiropractor during my college years, which helped a lot. About 7 years ago, I was launched from a horse and strained my neck severely. Acupuncture helped. 3 years ago, I fell down a set of concrete steps and again, ended up with a whiplash injury. I am 44 years old. Over the past 3 years, the pain has gotten so severe that at times I lose complete sensation in my right arm, sometimes my left. Chiro and acupuncture right now do nothing – I have seen PT’s and do neck exercises. I am seeing a pain doctor right now, and he has been giving me cortisone treatments, but they are not helping – in fact the last one I had actually hurt me more. I am now at a point where I am unable to drive and continue with my normal routine. I am a musician by trade, and I cannot play. Playing just exacerbates the problem. For 3 years, my GP has insisted there is no such thing as Chronic Whiplash Syndrome, which is what I think I have. I have an MRI that shows mild disc degeneration, osteophytes and mild stenosis (but no indication of an old fracture) All of which my pain doc tells me shouldn’t hurt this much. HELP!!! Is there anyone out there? Any suggestions? I am not willing to give up!!! If one more doctor tells me to take antidepression meds, I think I will scream. I also would never put myself into the “wimp” category…

A: *Find a pain specialist doctor in a pain clinic and have it injected. My husband had his done and now he is pain free.

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