NeuroTalk Support Groups - Useful Sites & Resources

NeuroTalk Support Groups (https://www.neurotalk.org/)

- Chronic Pain (https://www.neurotalk.org/chronic-pain/)

- - Useful Sites & Resources (https://www.neurotalk.org/chronic-pain/1120-useful-sites-resources.html)

Re: Opioid Conversion Calculator...

Here is a newer (as of this post) Opioid Conversion Calculator (same disclaimers apply) developed by three pain experts, based on latest up-to-datest medical evidence, for Practical Pain Management (PPM).

The first link is the introductory article that discusses conversions (tables, calculators) in general and this new one specifically, including background information, safety concerns, and special cases like methadone. I encourage everyone to read it before jumping to the calculator (There WILL be a QUIZ! :p)

PPM Launches Online Opioid Calculator

Thereafter, the direct link is:

Opioid Calculator

Doc

Hormones and Chronic/Intractable Pain

Quote:

The effect of severe, persistent pain on the hormone system is profoundly negative. If the patient’s hormone system is not kept homeostatic and balanced, the patient with pain will rapidly age and deteriorate. Episodic excess of cortisol in the blood, which occurs during pain flares, is particularly deleterious. Consequently, the achievement of hormonal balance—not too high or too low—has to be a primary goal of treatment.

Unfortunately, some of the potent pain medications, particularly opioids, may suppress the production of some adrenal and gonadal hormones, especially testosterone and pregnenolone, and need to be replaced. If any major adrenal or gonadal hormone becomes deficient during ongoing opioid treatment, the patient likely will not respond well to the prescribed pain medication and may report and exhibit such symptoms as poor pain control, depression, mental impairment, insomnia, allodynia, and hyperalgesia.

—Forest Tennant, MD, DPH

http://www.practicalpainmanagement.c...ance-pain-care

Brain Atrophy with Chronic Pain

The Intractable Pain Patient's Handbook For Survival by Forest Tennant, MD, DPH

Hormone Therapy for Chronic Pain

Hormone Replacement Therapy in Morphine-induced Hypogonadic Male Chronic Pain Patients

Quote:

CONCLUSIONS:
In conclusion, our results suggest that a constant, long-term supply of testosterone can induce a general improvement of the male chronic pain patient's quality of life, an important clinical aspect of pain management.

Testosterone Replacement in Chronic Pain Patients

Testosterone Replacement in Female Chronic Pain Patients

From Research To Practical Application: Long Term Testosterone Treatment

Hormone Treatments in Chronic and Intractable Pain An Emerging Practice

Hormone Replacements and Treatments in Chronic Pain: Update 2010

Hormone Therapies: Newest Advance in Pain Care

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Pain Treatment

HCG and Diabetic Neuropathy

HCG and Testosterone

Cortisol Screening in Chronic Pain Patients

I'm seeing some references to the hormone oxytocin (not to be confused with the opioid pain medication Oxycontin) having much potential, but as yet, I have not seen much else. It is very early in its investigation.

Oxytocin May Offer Benefits in Treatment of Chronic Pain

Intrathecal Administration of Oxytocin Induces Analgesia in Low Back Pain Involving the Endogenous Opiate Peptide System Study done on rats. As Good Ol' Charlie Brown would say, "RATS!" :rolleyes:

Doc

The Hurt Blocker: Science News article:

This June 2012, Science News has a very interesting article on
specific sodium channels in the peripheral nervous system, that may be targets for non-opiate blocking drugs eventually. This may lead to the development of pain relieving drugs with few side effects.

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/feat...e/Hurt_Blocker

Here's a series of well-written easy to understand articles on various chronic pain topics from eorthopod.com.

Adult Pain Management Patient Guides

Topics Include:

Body Talk (A complimentary/alternative medicine approach)
Chronic Pain and Nutrition
Chronic Pain and Sleep
Chronic Pain Management
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Epidural Steroid Injections
Facet Joint Injections
Injections for Pain
Medication Approach to Chronic Pain
Pain Management Medications
Pain Pumps
Piriformis Muscle Injections
Radiofrequency Ablation
Relaxation Training
Sacroiliac Joint Injections
Spinal Cord Stimulators (SCS)
Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation (TENS)

Doc