Neuropathic Pain

I find it very interesting to see the pain managed so successfully with non-narcotic drugs. I’ve been in pain for years supposedly from my arthritis although my case is quite complicated. But isn’t everyone’s case different and complicated in other ways?

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) helped the pain but this was far from complete. And these types of drugs are not meant to be taken forever. The ideal case is that you get an acute inflammation from something eg spraining your ankle and you go on the NSAIDs for 10 days to aid with the healing.  Arthritis, however, is not an acute situation but rather is chronic. People go on the NSAIDs because of the pain and the drugs help to different degrees.Unless the patient is persistent about their level of pain, it often stops here. And the patients’ don’t know what is “normal” pain from arthritis. The one thing that they do know is they can’t manage many “normal” daily tasks and this can impact their quality of life (QOL) to varying degrees.

Update August 21, 2009

Well, I can hardly believe the difference between now and the last post. Let me start off by saying that the pain is well under control. In fact, most of the time during the past week I have not had any pain. That’s a show stopper.

Two weeks ago, I had to stop taking my Arthrotec (an antiinflammatory) because I was having the steroid injection into the piriformis muscle. I began taking Cymbalta several weeks prior to that. I’ve had to stop the NSAIDS before and couldn’t wait until the time I could start them again because of the increase in pain. Believe it or not, I didn’t even notice the difference. I was stunned. After a couple of days I thought the inflammation would come back and the pain would get worse. Nada. And now it’s been two weeks and I haven’t taken a single antiinflammatory.

Around and Around We Go

Well, there is no shortage of changes, no shortage of frustrations and sometimes no shortage of hope. The most recent news is difficult to get through. The physicians are getting risky with their suggested treatments and I’m really having to decide just how much I am willing to gamble. I feel, after the hyperthermia trial in Holland, that I am done with the experiments.

Now I am at steroid injections and am stopping that unless they are done radiographically. I was a neurologist’s office last week and she gave me 6 injections trying to hit the piriformis muscle. I feel terrible now and over the last week it’s been hell. I was supposed to go today for a shot into my neck and begged off. She’s made an appointment to do a repeat one radiographically but this being Canada I have to wait a couple of months…She wants to do botox injections into the muscles. I am totally uncomfortable with that and want a second opinion.

Dr. Fernando Barinagarrementeria Aldatz in Queretaro, Mexico

Dr. Fernando Barinagarrementeria Aldatz is located in the Hospital Angeles de Queretaro.

I got in to see him in about one week. The visit was 800 pesos. He never once made me feel like I should leave. He chatted and asked me all kinds of questions.

Once you make the appointment send some info to him by email. Then phone to see if they got it.

I sent him reports and the hospital had a bit of a computer issue on that day but no one knew where it was.

The receptionists are nice. If you call they may tell you it is his personal email (which it is), so they can’t tell you whether the doctor has received or not.

Tell them to ask him or you’ll waste some time. You might have to phone back but it’s a much better way to get the most from your visit.

For sure, if you have had MRI’s done, bring the CDs.

And just so you know what he looks like I’ve attached a little picture. He is an absolute doll. And his English as good as mine.

Let me know if you need help or info.

Cuidate mucho (take care)

Darlene

Dr. Fernando Barinagarrementeria Aldatz

fbarinaga@infosel.net.mx – Personal

01 442 192 3041 – Cell

442.192-3006 – Work

442.215-9977 – Móvil

Blvd B Quintana No. 141, Loma Dorada
Hospital Angeles de Queretaro
Queretaro, 76060 GTO
Mexico

Otra – Mapa

Nicest and Best Neurologist in Queretaro, Mexico

Randomised controlled trial of Alexander technique lessons, exercise, and massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain

The complete article is free. It’s well worth visiting the link because there is also a 12 minute video explaining what the Alexander Technique is. I’ve posted the abstract below.

 http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/337/aug19_2/a884

Published 19 August 2008, doi:10.1136/bmj.a884
Cite this as: BMJ 2008;337:a884

Difficult Times

Recovering from surgery is a constant process of ups and downs. When I feel great, I think that the road to recovery is getting shorter. But that is not how it happens.

I must have twisted a bit when I slept last night and I awoke in pain. I had hoped that just being up and moving would work things out. I went for my walk with my crutch but by the time I got home I was in quite a bit of pain.

Rest is Very Healing

Up by 4:30AM. Feeling much better. Did my exercises and had a coffee before I went out for my walk. I forgot my crutch again. In my head, there’s nothing wrong with me. I shortened my walk by about 15 minutes doing about 40 minutes. I felt okay when I got home but I could have used the crutch for balance especially on the hills.