Has Spinal Cord Stimulation Improved To The Point Where It Provides A Viable Alternative For Chronic Nerve Pain

Today's post from medlatest.com (see link below) reports on an interesting discussion about Spinal Cord Stimulation as being a means of reducing chronic nerve pain. Spinal Cord Stimulation has been around for years of course but has suffered from poor results and neuropathy patients and doctors alike have become reluctant to offer, or try it. In these days of looking for opioid alternatives, it's logical that SCS methods will be re-examined and that's exactly why these specialists got together to discuss the issue. It's somewhat ironic that research into treatments for neuropathy has been stagnant for decades but the minute that opioids become a 'hot' issue, then research into pain relief goes into overdrive. That said, nerve pain patients mustn't grumble: at least efforts are now being made to find alternative solutions. However, this discussion concluded that patient reluctance regarding SCS is based on past experiences with older technology which rarely worked as was hoped. The physicians maintain that the technology has now moved on to the point where success in controlling pain via electrical stimulation is now much more likely. The problem lies in how you measure pain and results and this is a whole new ball game because pain is so subjective and by asking a patient to point to a smiley face to indicate their pain levels, you might as well lick your finger and stick it in the air. The conclusion must be that if SCS technology is so much better, then evaluation methods need to drastically change to catch up. Interesting read.

The Case for Spinal Cord Stimulation in Chronic Pain
Source: Boston Scientific March 10, 2017 

Expert physicians gathered in a round table event to discuss Spinal Cord Stimulation as a treatment for chronic pain.

Background 

With opioid abuse posing a national health crisis, the American College of Physicians recently issued a new guideline to promote treatment alternatives like acupuncture and yoga ahead of opioids on the treatment continuum for low back pain. But, many pain specialists believe alternative therapies like these don’t provide adequate symptom relief, leaving patients to look toward opioids as their only option.

A group of the nation’s leading experts in spinal cord stimulation (SCS) convened for a roundtable discussion at the 2017 North American Neuromodulation Society Annual Meeting to discuss why SCS should be used earlier in the treatment continuum and how it can play a role in addressing the ongoing opioid epidemic.

What becomes immediately apparent on reading the executive summary from the discussion, is that all 6 participants shared the view that SCS should play a much greater role in the management of chronic pain. There was unanimity of opinion that opioid use is problematic, carrying risks of misuse and abuse, while also only being “50% effective in 30% of patients treated.”

Management of patients off their opiates is of course another problem for the clinician, withdrawal being a weaning process and requiring an educational approach. The consensus seemed to be that SCS should be positioned ahead of opiates in the pain treatment continuum.

So why isn’t that already the case? Well it seems that the early days of the therapy weren’t quite as successful as today, which may have spawned resistance in both the clinical and patient community. The panel took this subject on too, suggesting that older technologies presented difficulties targeting specific nerves, while today’s is considered “not the same therapy” and “capable of yielding 100% pain relief.”

The final topic was the SCS patient pathway, the group concluding that the subjective nature of current pain scoring methods meant that their use should not be the only factor. The group expressed a desire to work with medical societies and regulatory bodies to develop a more nuanced standard for measuring patient outcomes.

Selected Physician comments 

Dr. Mark Wallace, chair of the division of Pain Medicine in the Department of Anesthesiology of University of California at San Diego stated; “In my 25 years’ experience, all of my patients reduced their opiates once I put a spinal cord stimulator in them. Most of them completely go off of the opiates. So what we need to do is we need to position the neuromodulations before opiates, and we need to change the pain treatment continuum and get it earlier in the treatment continuum so we can keep patients from starting the opioids in the first place.”

On the subject of the modern SCS therapies, Dr Julie Pilitsis, professor of neurosurgery and of neuroscience at Albany Medical College and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutic, stated; “I would just like to encourage people…that may have had a negative experience with spinal cord stimulation 20 or 30 years ago to come back to the therapy. It is not the same therapy. We have so many more capabilities. We can help so many more people.”

On the need for a new approach to scoring patients for pain levels, Dr Simon Thomson, consultant in pain medicine and neuromodulation at Basildon and Thurrock University NHS Trust, UK, stated; “I think most people would say in something like chronic pain, it’s plainly ridiculous just to have linear pain scores to define, if you like, the suffering that this patient and those around them are going through … the measure that seems to best define what we’re looking at achieving in our patients is a health-related quality of life measure.”

http://www.medlatest.com/clinical-educational/congresses-meetings/case-spinal-cord-stimulation-chronic-pain/

Is Horizant A Good Alternative For Nerve Pain

Today's post from bcbecky.com (see link below) is a short good news story that makes the case for Horizant, which is a controlled and extended-release form of gabapentin. Apparently it's an expensive option for insurance companies but because the body doesn't 'run out' of gabapentin in the system, it's far more effective than pills taken at random or irregular times. Why insurance companies are difficult about this drug is difficult to understand: controlled release prevents abuse and leads to  fewer side effects. However, it is a new name for me so if any readers have more (non-advertising) information about how good (or less good) it is, please let us know via the contact button. Whatever the pros and cons of Horizant are, the author of this article is much happier with life at the moment because this medication makes her life easier to manage and removes much of her discomfort. Worth a read and if you think this may be something for you, maybe have a chat with your doctor?
 

Neuropathy update
By Becky | December 18, 2016

It has occurred to me that it has been a long time since I’ve talked about my chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. At about this time last year I saw a pain doctor. Just in passing he mentioned the option of a 24-hour time released gabapentin (known as Horizant). It often isn’t mentioned because it isn’t on most insurance formularies (meaning it costs patients more). One big reason to chose it is that it reduces pill fatigue. One point that insurance companies and doctors seem to miss that is that it works a lot better. It is unfortunate that the efficacy of a medication isn’t taken into account because of insurance companies, and it really annoys me that insurance companies don’t take into account the efficacy of the medication. It is one of the things that angers me the most about this healthcare system.

One of the biggest advantages to a time-released version of the medication is that it is always in your system. With the other gabapentin, I’d need to take 4-pills every 6-hours for it to be equivalent. That means waking up in the middle of the night. On gabapentin, my neuropathy was always worse first thing in the morning. That was, in part, because after 8-hours of sleep I no longer had gabapentin in my system. Gabapentin also makes some people drowsy. So taking it 4-times per day can be really disruptive. The horizant makes me drowsy, so I take it at dinner and it helps me sleep at night (a double win because hormone therapy mucks with sleep patterns).

For me, Horizant has been a miracle drug. I’m willing and able to pay the extra for it (it isn’t cheap). It means that when I wake up first thing in the morning, my feet don’t hurt. It also means that my feet don’t hurt when I get up after sitting. It used to be that the first 10 steps were filled with burning pain in my feet.

I’m noticing that my neuropathy is improving. I still go through phases where things burn, but then they are much less intense. I notice that I have much more feeling in my lower legs and feet. This makes getting IVs in the legs a lot more painful, but that is a worthwhile trade-off for improved neuropathy. It used to be that I would lose feeling in my feet after 20 minutes of hiking. Now I don’t even notice my neuropathy until around the 90-minute mark. And even then, what I’m noticing is not nearly as bad as it used to be. So, I’m happy to report that my neuropathy is improving.

In January, I’ll talk to the pain doctors again. Anytime I mention going off of the Horizant, it is suggested that I stay on it. It is also used for other medical conditions that I have, like back pain from arthritis, reducing the side-effects of hormone therapy (e.g. making hot flashes less severe, treating restless leg syndrome), and treating post-surgery phantom pains. My healthcare team feels it is doing more for me than just treating my neuropathy.

And so, as this year is coming to a close, I’m happy to report that my neuropathy is doing much better. I’m finally starting to feel like I’m getting at least some of my health back. I’m hiking further than I ever used to – with a 10km (6-mile) hike not being out of the ordinary.

https://bcbecky.com/2016/12/neuropathy-update/

Can Alternative Therapies Help With Your Neuropathy

Today's post is the last in a series of articles from 4therapy.com (see link below) and looks at alternative and complementary therapies as a means of helping with chronic illnesses. It places emphasis on a holistic approach (looking at the whole picture instead of just the one illness or medical problem). Most doctors find this difficult because of time and financial restraints but for people living with both HIV and neuropathy, it's essential, if only because of the range of potential health problems that come with those diseases. We need to point out to our health professionals that we're not just in their consulting rooms for help with problem A or B but these things should be looked at with reference to the complete medical picture. So many things associated with HIV and neuropathy can influence each other, so a holistic approach is very important. No wonder so many people turn to alternative and complimentary therapies, without necessarily informing their regular doctors but it's unwise to do that without expert advice. You can't do enough research to back up your decisions.

Considering Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Millions of Americans are turning to alternative and complementary therapies, such as chiropractic science, massage therapy, acupuncture, hypnosis, guided imagery, music therapy, art therapy, yoga, prayer, energy healing, meditation, biofeedback, and so on. Studies have shown that 80% of people diagnosed with cancer seek alternative care. These studies also claim that people seeking alternative therapies often do not consult their primary care physician about their choice.

While traditional medicine shines in many areas---and is unparalleled in the world with treatment of acute infectious diseases, surgical procedures, understanding the mechanisms of chronic disease---it is not fully holistic. Currently, traditional medicine offers the best the nation has to offer in the areas of surgery and pharmaceuticals but it often overlooks the psychological and spiritual aspects of a person dealing with a life-altering disease or injury.

In the future, our medical systems could be enhanced by a more vigorous holistic approach in looking at complex diseases and their effect of the whole person. This more complete system would use multiple interventions to develop optimal therapies. This would create an integrated system in which the patient would have the option of selecting from traditional, alternative, and complementary therapies.

Unfortunately, this holistic system does not yet exist under one roof. Today, if patients are faced with a life-threatening illness and want to integrate alternative or complementary therapy into their treatment regimen, they are left primarily on their own to search out and find a competent practitioner.

The choices we have among forms of medicine that sometimes seem to compete and even contradict one another are mind-boggling. Dealing with any kind of medicine is intimidating. One person’s choice of medicine can literally be another’s poison.

Several factors can influence our decisions. We have been taught that medical matters, decisions, and recommendations are best left to authorities and experts outside ourselves. For the most of us, this means our chosen, trusted physician. This is what we grew up with, and is the easiest path to follow.

Some of us, who take a more introspective approach, will base our choice on religious, philosophical, or psychological considerations. For others, the choices are limited by purely economic considerations. Those who must depend upon insurance coverage or government programs may find a narrow range of freedom of choice, usually limited to traditional medicine.

The irony is that nontraditional forms of medicine tend to be less costly and more prevention-oriented than traditional medicine. This fact is not lost on some government agencies and insurance companies. They are showing a new openness to alternatives, given the long-term economics and limited success of traditional medicine with many conditions.

The most important issue involved in seeking alternative and complementary care is finding practitioners who are well trained and properly licensed or certified in their scope of practice. It is especially important that patients involve their primary care physicians in the decision to seek adjunctive care. These physicians have the greatest amount of training and, if they are up on the latest research, can provide information to assist and guide the decisions in what is accepted care.

http://www.4therapy.com/life-topics/chronic-pain/considering-alternative-and-complementary-therapies-2360

Share Alternative medicine treatment for sciatica

In that offer everyone are more likely to definitely will allow you to get yourself a beneficial guide based upon explore for ongoing article content Alternative medicine treatment for sciatica possibility of dialogue since a great deal of consumers whom are trying to find the idea. during personal reference Getting people take advantage of a variety of serps below are images which can be strongly related Alternative medicine treatment for sciatica .

Pictured in this article it is easy to download and read and even keep it into the computer hard drive so that any time you need it is exclusively levied quite simply. Alternative medicine treatment for sciatica will be the essential in your case who likes to related topics. Consequently all of us required the actual effort to collect the information for the benefit of our visitors. Book mark each of our site that will will allow you to locate much more content articles regarding any keyword phrases

Alternative medicine treatment for sciatica - for helping establish the interest our targeted visitors will also be very pleased to create this site. bettering the grade of this article is going to most people test in the future to help you genuinely recognize right after looking over this submit. At long last, not necessarily just a few ideas that must be manufactured to coerce you actually. nevertheless due to constraints involving words, we will exclusively offer a Alternative medicine treatment for sciatica debate upwards the following

Alternative Pain Remedies

Today's post from naturalnews.com (see link below) looks once again at the alternative side of pain treatment but in this case, the focus is more on tried and tested treatments stemming from nature, which people have used over centuries before the advent of chemical pills. Of course that guarantees you nothing - especially as a neuropathy patient who is used to treatments not working in their particular case but some of these may be worth looking into. Do your research and try to talk to a professional with knowledge of the field and because of the nature of clashes with other drugs, always consult your doctor to see that you're not doing yourself any harm.

Top remedies for treating chronic pain naturally Thursday, February 14, 2013 by: Jonathan Benson, staff writer

Treating chronic pain is a complex issue because there are numerous factors that contribute to its development and persistence. Contrary to popular belief, most instances of chronic pain do not actually originate in the muscles, bones, and tissues, but rather in the nerves, which means eating foods and taking herbs that promote central nervous system health may be the best approach to getting rid of chronic pain for good. Here are 10 ways to treat chronic pain naturally without drugs:

1) Willow bark. Used for thousands of years in many different cultures to reduce fever and inflammation, willow bark is a powerful painkilling herb that is still used today to treat back pain, arthritis, headaches, and inflammatory conditions like bursitis and tendinitis. The active ingredient in willow bark, salicin, is actually the compound that was first used in the 1800s to develop aspirin. Though it may not work as quickly as aspirin, willow bark is said to provide longer-lasting benefits without the harmful side effects. (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/willow-bark-000281.htm)

2) Cannabis. Aside from its psychoactive effects, the active ingredient in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is a powerful analgesic with proven pain-relieving properties. Numerous studies have found that taking cannabis can help ease neurological pain without causing harmful side effects, which makes it a far more promising candidate than what conventional medicine has to offer. And even better than smoking cannabis is juicing its leaves raw, which has been shown to actually reverse chronic pain and illness. (http://www.naturalnews.com/035759_cannabis_juicing_health.html)

3) Turmeric. One of the most powerful known anti-inflammatory herbs, turmeric is virtually unparalleled in its ability to treat arthritis, gout, autoimmune disease, sciatic, and other inflammatory conditions. Systemically, turmeric helps quell disease-causing inflammation in all its forms, and may be the key to overcoming whatever pains might be ailing you.

4) Kava kava. Pacific Islanders have long utilized kava kava, also known as "intoxicating pepper," to unwind and relax after a long day. But this natural botanical is also highly effective at reducing anxiety, easing nerves, relaxing muscles, and subdue pain. Because of its synergistic ability to promote restfulness both mentally and physically, kava kava can be extremely helpful in overcoming chronic pain, especially when such pain has a psychological component. (http://www.konakavafarm.com/articles/alternative.html)

5) Skullcap. An herb native to North America, skullcap has been used for more than 200 years to treat anxiety, nervous tension, convulsions, and pain. And Chinese skullcap, a similar but slightly different herb, has been shown to help treat allergies, infections, inflammation, headaches, and even cancer. Between the two herbs, chronic pain sufferers have a powerful weapon for naturally calming their nerves and relieving pain. (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/skullcap-000273.htm)

6) Valerian. Often blended with skullcap, Valerian is another natural herb with an extensive history of use in relieving pain. Often used as a sleeping aid due to its ability to promote relaxation, Valerian is also useful for easing anxiety and psychological stress, which are often responsible for causing or exacerbating chronic pain. Valerian can also help treat depression, muscle and joint pain, headaches, and menstrual pain (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/valerian-000279.htm).

7) Devil's claw. This native African herb is so effective at relieving arthritis, lower back, knee, and hip pain that it has actually been approved as a non-prescription medicine in Germany. Devil's claw has been shown in studies to effectively relieve chronic pain in as little as 10 days of therapeutic use without causing any harmful side effects. Devil's claw can also be used in place of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like acetaminophen and ibuprofen to temporarily relieve pain. (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/devils-claw-000237.htm)

8) Magnesium. Magnesium comes up a lot as a recommendation in natural treatment protocols, and this is no accident. A powerful treatment for both muscle and nerve pain, magnesium has been shown to balance levels of a brain chemical known as NMDA that is responsible for transmitting pain throughout the nervous system. Magnesium deficiency is also a common cause and amplifier of pain, so simply supplementing with it can help significantly improve pain symptoms. (http://www.psychologytoday.com)

9) SAM-e. A popular dietary supplement for treating osteoarthritis and depression, SAM-e, or S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine, is a compound naturally found in every human cell in the body. Recognized for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic benefits, SAM-e can help ease pain, relieve stiffness, reduce joint swelling, and even rebuild cartilage. SAM-e is also known to help treat fibromyalgia, bursitis, tendinitis, and lower back pain. (http://osteoarthritis.about.com/od/alternativetreatments/a/sam-e.htm)

10) Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to a host of chronic illnesses, including chronic pain. A 2009 study found that patients deficient in vitamin D require almost twice as much pain medication as patients with adequate levels, illustrating an inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and pain. Supplementing with vitamin D and regularly exposing your skin to natural sunlight just might be the remedy you need for overcoming chronic pain. (http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/)

Sources for this article include:

http://www.blessedmaineherbs.com/chpare.html

http://www.newsmaxhealth.com

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/stopping-pain-without-drugs/

http://www.rodale.com/natural-fibromyalgia-remedies

http://www.naturalnews.com/039092_chronic_pain_treatment_remedies.html