I decided to do some specific keyword searches since more
people are showing up here with this symptom.
Another word for this is "thermal hyperalgesia". And typically rats are induced with this symptom and studied.
I have found two interesting things so far.
1) that oral magnesium helps this symptom:
http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.c...04535/abstract
2) and that the NMDA receptors are affected in its expression:
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=2995642
This paper is rather pithy, but the essence is that the NMDA receptor is involved with this pain.
And magnesium is known to block this receptor to some extent.
Here is more on NMDA receptors and their blocking agents:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NMDA_receptor
I have attended pain seminars and most recently one that included Fibromyalgia. Fibro is currently thought to be a disorder where conventional neurons fire to a greater extent than normal under normal stimulus conditions. It is thought that this is a hereditary tendency. (like turning your volume up on a radio too loudly). So current treatments focus on CENTRAL intervention. The use of mixed acting antidepressants like Elavil, and pain relief using Tramadol.
Notice that tramadol is listed as a NMDA antagonist on the above Wiki site. The use of Lyrica and Neurontin also fit into this theory. Fibro often starts with a trigger. Viral, and trauma are the two most common triggers.
So we are back to what YOU can do for this.
1) make sure you are getting enough magnesium daily.
see my magnesium thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1138.html
2) avoid foods with MSG in them. Read labels, and be careful in restaurants. This additive is heavily used in soups and other creamy foods to make them "taste better". Flavored chips, and snacks are loaded with it.
3) avoid aspartame (Nutrasweet) since it delivers aspartate to the NMDA receptor. Avoid supplements with "aspartate" listed.
There is a magnesium aspartate out there--avoid that one.
4) There are some papers out there that suggest that Substance P is involved in transmission of pain signals:
http://www.biomedexperts.com/Abstrac...nd_amino_acids
One way to reduce substance P is to have the proper ratio of Omega-3 fatty acids in the diet. A heavy intake of Omega-6's (most common) tends to make Prostaglandin series 2 cytokines which are implicated in pain and inflammation.
Series 2 are released during trauma and other biological stressors. When they are excessive, you end up in a bad place. They are meant to be temporary fixes but end up more permanent.
So reducing Omega-6 fats, and increasing Omega 3's will help balance this in your body, and reduce the inflammatory prostaglandins. I have a thread about this here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread6092.html
This seems like a lot at first to absorb, but slowly as you look over the material out there, you will realize that you can do some things yourself.
The lay press is now filled with Omega-3 information. When I started this journey over a decade ago, I had to root around to find it--but it was there even then.
We have Smart Foods now with Omega-3s added. I have them listed on that thread.
Flax oil and fish oil are at the heart of Omega-3 supplements.
Also you need MAGNESIUM and B6 to metabolize them properly. B6 also helps the body deal with excess glutamate.
http://www.msgtruth.org/remedies.htm
Taurine is mentioned here. This amino acid is very good for people with insulin problems, and also helps with gall bladder issues. It complexes the bile salts and helps you pass them without forming sludge or stones.
Taurine is not expensive and has no appreciable side effects.
1000mg a day is typical.