Normally, the first step when seeking to find a solution to chronic pain will be to acknowledge that the problem indeed is there. You will need to consult a physician about the signs of chronic pain. You will also tell them what you are experiencing to try and get to the bottom of what the problem is and after that formulate a plan of treatment. Chronic pain solutions are numerous and different cases are handled differently.
One of the treatment options involves use of antidepressants. There are old versions of these medications that are helpful in controlling pain. Tricyclic antidepressants are particularly very effective. These medications have qualities which enable them to relieve pains in lower doses than what would be used in curing depression. Antidepressants are never to be taken only when one feels pains but as indicated in the prescription. They are taken whether one experiences pains or not.
Physicians will try to lessen the side effects of antidepressants, especially sedation, by having the patient take them only at night. Other side effects include dry mouth which is treated by drinking lots of fluids and water. Not all patients are candidates for antidepressants though. For instance, those with some types of glaucoma should not take them. In addition, they must never be taken in larger doses than was prescribed.
There are anticonvulsants that are also helpful. They are useful in the case of some forms of nerve pains and should be taken as prescribed whether there is pain or not. They might come with side effects of drowsiness that improve with time. In some cases, a patient might experience weight gain. People with kidney stones or glaucoma should inform the doctor before starting their doses. Newer versions of these medications do not need liver monitoring but should be cautiously used by patients with kidney disease.
Opioids are an option that if used in the right manner, reduce pains considerably. They are however less effective or may need relatively high doses for them to work. If there are pains that are there all day and night, the best option are long acting opioids. Constipation should be expected but can be controlled by taking lots of water. There are also those that experience drowsiness but this reduces with time as the person gets used to the medication.
There are people who will benefit from epidural injections. It is done at the back section of the neck in an attempt to place anti-inflammatory steroids in the body without need to use anesthesia. These injections are done for pains involving the back, hands or legs. At times it is done with x-ray guidance. Some common side effects like skin soreness or numbness are temporary and disappear with time.
Celiac plexus block is performed for relief in patients who have pancreatic cancer. It is also done in those with any other forms of abdominal aches. There is placement of a needle through the back which will deposit numbing medicine to an area with a group of nerves known as celiac plexus.
Thus injection is usually done as diagnosis to check if more permanent injections can help with pain relief. If there is significant relief, then the longer lasting medication is used. The particular option used to treat chronic pain depends on an individual and also on the areas affected.
One of the treatment options involves use of antidepressants. There are old versions of these medications that are helpful in controlling pain. Tricyclic antidepressants are particularly very effective. These medications have qualities which enable them to relieve pains in lower doses than what would be used in curing depression. Antidepressants are never to be taken only when one feels pains but as indicated in the prescription. They are taken whether one experiences pains or not.
Physicians will try to lessen the side effects of antidepressants, especially sedation, by having the patient take them only at night. Other side effects include dry mouth which is treated by drinking lots of fluids and water. Not all patients are candidates for antidepressants though. For instance, those with some types of glaucoma should not take them. In addition, they must never be taken in larger doses than was prescribed.
There are anticonvulsants that are also helpful. They are useful in the case of some forms of nerve pains and should be taken as prescribed whether there is pain or not. They might come with side effects of drowsiness that improve with time. In some cases, a patient might experience weight gain. People with kidney stones or glaucoma should inform the doctor before starting their doses. Newer versions of these medications do not need liver monitoring but should be cautiously used by patients with kidney disease.
Opioids are an option that if used in the right manner, reduce pains considerably. They are however less effective or may need relatively high doses for them to work. If there are pains that are there all day and night, the best option are long acting opioids. Constipation should be expected but can be controlled by taking lots of water. There are also those that experience drowsiness but this reduces with time as the person gets used to the medication.
There are people who will benefit from epidural injections. It is done at the back section of the neck in an attempt to place anti-inflammatory steroids in the body without need to use anesthesia. These injections are done for pains involving the back, hands or legs. At times it is done with x-ray guidance. Some common side effects like skin soreness or numbness are temporary and disappear with time.
Celiac plexus block is performed for relief in patients who have pancreatic cancer. It is also done in those with any other forms of abdominal aches. There is placement of a needle through the back which will deposit numbing medicine to an area with a group of nerves known as celiac plexus.
Thus injection is usually done as diagnosis to check if more permanent injections can help with pain relief. If there is significant relief, then the longer lasting medication is used. The particular option used to treat chronic pain depends on an individual and also on the areas affected.
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