I just did some research on Central Pain Syndrome and the symptoms sound just like peripheral neuropathy pain! Has anyone heard of this or know anything about it?

--comes from a very different mechanism than peripheral neuropathy: namely damage to the spinothalamic tracts in the brain, or in the realted higher cortical centers connected to them. It is most common in stroke patients, but is certainly prevalent in MS (this is what Montel Williams has), subacute combined degeneration from B12 deficiency, HIV infection, encephalomyelitis, and a number of other conditions (the site www.centralpain.org had a good summary of the condition and the possible etiologies).

It is true that in many cases Central Pain can be confused with widespread, diffuse peripheral neuropathies, especially those that come on acutely or subacutely, as the effective burning pain symptoms are quite similar. There are a few aspects that tend to distinguish a central etiology, such as the phenomenon of temporal summation--nerve pain is not produced in its full intensity immediately upon touch, but tends to grow over seconds to a great intensity and then more slowly subside.

It's possible from some conditions to have both central pain damage and peripheral neuropathy (B12 deficiency comes to mind, as do some toxic exposures).

Central pain as defined here should not be confused with the equally painful central sensitization, caused when long-term undertreated pain causes trophic changes in neurons such that they over-react to normally non-painful stimuli.

Dakota,

I was just diagnosed with this over the summer...and based on my history. The website glenntaj mentioned is a good one.

thanks for addressing & providing more on this painful disorder...CPS is called, known by other "names" , as Glen shared, most commonly Dx'd w/ some post stroke patients but is seen w/ other conditions,disorders , injuries, etc. affecting Brain, specifically the CENTRAL nervous system. (vs peripheral & other "systems")

I'm not as articulate nor knowlegeable as Glen (who is a Blessing --thanks so much !!)
I do suggest /encourage checking out some of these specific sites... on CPS
which does have similarities to PN, also RSD and other chronic pain disorders; and can occur with them & other conditions = PAIN.


www.centralpain.org is an excellent site w/ great links.

also,http://www.painonline.com
and
http://www.painonline.org/intro.htm (intro & more advanced articles)

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CPS_ALLIANCE
is a wonderful caring & informative group; they're mission --besides support, is education and research.

There have been some threads & posts on CPS-Central Pain syndrome-- I believe in CHronic Pain forums?? and or elsewhere??

anyway... I have wondered about CPS since I 've heard descriptions, symptoms, causes and have had some dialogue w/ others who do have DX

issues have emerged for me RE: B12 --from recently received DR's report, .. as well as other problems .... too much for now & perhaps OT.....


wishing all the Best...

Thanks to all for your helpful replies. I had read some of the sites, but not all. My feeling right now is that:

1. Current medical science understands little about pain, in general, at this point.
2. I think that there can be overlap of different syndromes or causes of pain, rather than everything being neat and tidy.
3. I think that I may have some peripheral neuropathy problems, but that they are greatly complicated by some sort of central component that is not understood at this point. My "PN" pain came on suddenly during a severe migraine attack (central nervous system problem). I had been sufferring severe migraines about 4 days a week for months while an incompetant jerk of a neurologist messed around doing nothing. I think that all this pain caused something to suddenly go very wrong with the central mediation of pain in my body.
4. My opinion may not be right, but it is arguably as good as anything else out there in medical land right now. I'll never find the truth in my lifetime, I don't think. but someday science will sort all this out.

Dakota... I respect your opinions and agree w/ much. my heart goes out to you..
your feelings that you'll "NEVER" know or find may be valid but perhaps will get a nice surprise ... w/ medical breakthru, knowlege, and help. interventions needed & deserved.
I often feel frustrated, confused, hopeless & helpless....and more "negatives" .....
Affecting others-- family, friends, beloveds-- a vicious cycle ... I'm feeling trapped in [esp. now--too much to get into...] ... but feel there must be some answer, resolution... a better way to Be, Live, have quality of Life... for self and others....

more needs to be done( w/ research, etc.) for Pain--by whatever name, DX, manifestation-- to provide appropriate relief, interventions, treatmts, etc. for those suffering; and hopefully "Cures".... soon.... perhpas even that miracle....

meanwhile more understanding, compassion and validation of our pain, symptoms, etc. by med pros & others. Education is essential along w/ advocacy.

RE: your #2. Indeed, it would be convenient if was all "neat & tidy" ... too often there is overlap, concurring conditions & other factors that confuse & complicate... other exacerbators & stressors....
Drs/specialists have differing views, opinions or even clueless. Tests --when are done--may not provide the "neat" answers, either because the tests are "negative"-normal or were not the most appropriate ( insurance too often governs --won't cover/pay for better options that may provide insight & interventions)
More often we go thru processes of elimination, trial & error w/ meds.... that may help but also may generate more problems & symptoms that get treated w/ more meds.... or DRs who won't prescribe certain meds/treatmts that could help .... again insurance issues or DEA agenda. Medicine/healing shouldn't be political or $$$ based but is...

I 'm rambling-again--and could go on w/ experiences .....

but can't think of anything that will actually help so...

just wishing, hoping, praying you find & get what you need... soon...

Blessings....

Thank you, Pono. I am, at least, grateful for what medical science DOES have to offer now. Not long ago, there was nothing like the fentanyl patch and doctors were even more dismissive about treating pain than they are now. I am sure better off with what I take now than if I had nothing.

I definitely agree Pono!

Come January 9th I will have been using the Duragesic Patch for 6 years! My 7 to 9+ pain levels are still very much evident but the Duragesic medication continues to drop that pain down to the 2 to 4 level allowing me to lead a normal life for a man who will be 76 on March 26th. I am mentally alert and I'm still walking a mile or so every day. Still driving my car without incident. And I continue to function normally. I have never felt doped up and the only side effect has been constipation which I relieve with an over-the-counter mild laxative. I am very much dependent on this medication to control my constant moderate to severe pain but after all this time I am NOT addicted to it. How do I know this? I have already listed the reasons and the main one is the fact that I function normally. My heart, liver, kidney and other organs all check out just fine and my blood tests are all within normal limits.

I used the 100 strength patch for approx 5 years and on 3-19-07 we added a 25 strength patch and I change both patches every 2 days. Should the pain worsen we are prepared to go to 150, 175 or whatever strength is required as long as the ability to function normally is maintained. Conversely, should the pain lessen we are prepared to drop the strength accordingly.

I wish this medication would work this well for everyone but it doesn't. When Lyrica came out we tried reducing the patch and titrating the Lyrica but Lyrica just didn't work for me. I've had PN for over 20 years and all the other medications RXed for PN simply did nothing for my symptoms and pain and, God knows, we tried them all. The Duragesic/Fentanyl patches worked for me, so, until a cure is found I will continue with the Fentanyl Transdermal System (the generic Duragesic Patch) until I die from a natural cause. I don't kick as high as I use to but I am still kicking. May all of you come kick with me!

To all the above I just had tell you hard much I appreciate the help and
information..Thanks for bringing this up Susan because I should of done
it sooner. I was diagnosed with both at Barnes and am just learning.
So there are alot of questions I wouldn't be able to answer,Honest
I really believe in hope and i've seen people live through unbelievable
and sometimes just odd I don't know miracle.

Sometimes like our Dan he eccepts his pain and what works for him,
at his age I see that as a blessing,I hope he continues his good days
heck he's got a possitive attitude,bless you heart all of you.
I like Aussi's alien's perhaps they,the stinkers can do something C.

And as always Glen you come through with such great imformation.
And welcome to some new people have seen you around and hope
it continues... Hugs to all Sue