Tuesday, February 21, 2012

CRPS articles - new articles February 2012

We just added a few new articles to the website this week in case you wanted to check them out.

One in particular I found very interesting;


The subheading reads;
Study Suggests Erasing Neuronal Memories May Help Control Persistent Pain

The first two paragraphs should be enough to make you want to read the entire study if you suffer from chronic pain but especially if you suffer from CRPS I think, or any type of neuropathy;

Newswise — For some, the pain is so great that they can’t even bear to have clothes touch their skin. For others, it means that every step is a deliberate and agonizing choice. Whether the pain is caused by arthritic joints, an injury to a nerve or a disease like fibromyalgia, research now suggests there are new solutions for those who suffer from chronic pain.

A team of researchers led by McGill neuroscientist Terence Coderre, who is also affiliated with the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, has found the key to understanding how memories of pain are stored in the brain. More importantly, the researchers are also able to suggest how these memories can be erased, making it possible to ease chronic pain.

Let me know what you think!

We also added back in an article we used to have on the old site, from a 2009 edition of the US News and World Report, an excellent magazine if you have never read it. It is chock full of great information and very few ads. Don't let its' slim size fool you.

The reason we re-posted it was because the content is being bandied about a lot these days; the topic of addiction, dependence, and tolerance and the problem of people not understanding the differences between the three. I will also include a link to an article I wrote on the subject.

Most people Do not even understand that tolerance is part of the equation and it is an important part nor do they understand the true definition of dependence. Part of this is the fault of the media for not defining it correctly and part of the fault lies with the medical community for not correcting them I believe.

The article from US News and World Report is called "Managing Your Pain, How to Use Prescription Drugs Without Becoming Addicted"

I think that there are a great many lawmakers out there, legislators that is, and people in the media (who I doubt have ever pain in real pain or know anyone who has), who truly understand that that is possible.

In ADDICTION, DEPENDENCE, AND TOLERANCE, an article I pulled together a few years back is the following quote;

"Some medications used to treat pain can be addictive. Addiction is different from physical dependence or tolerance, however. In cases of physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms occur when a substance suddenly is stopped. Tolerance occurs when the initial dose of a substance loses its effectiveness over time. Addiction and physical dependence often occur together." People who take a class of drugs called opioids for a long period of time may develop tolerance and even physical dependence. This does not mean, however, that a person is addicted. In general, the chance of addiction is very small when narcotics are used under proper medical supervision." The article goes on to say, "Most people who take their pain medicine as directed by their doctor do not become addicted, even if they take the medicine for a long time."


There are some great facts in there backed up by a few very good articles in case you ever need to make the case to a Doctor or insurance company. I tried to pull together information from many different articles regarding addiction, dependence, and tolerance to help explain the differences between the three.

Hope this helps!

Have a great week everyone! Stay warm!

Peace, Keith