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 We subscribe
to the Honcode principles. Verify here
AS THE WEBMASTER, I AM ALWAYS INTERESTED IN YOUR OPINION ABOUT THIS SITE, HOW USEFUL YOU FOUND IT AND WAYS IT CAN BE IMPROVED.
PLEASE EMAIL ME ANYTIME.
NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER:
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS SITE IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT, NOT REPLACE, THE RELATIONSHIP THAT EXISTS BETWEEN A PATIENT,
SITE VISITOR AND HIS/HER EXISTING PHYSICIAN!!! PLEASE KNOW THAT WHEN YOU SEE ANY "GENERAL" MEDICAL OR HEALTH ADVICE
PROVIDED ON THIS SITE, IT WAS WRITTEN BY MYSELF, A "VETERAN" OF CHRONIC INTRACTABLE SPINE PAIN FOR
27 YEARS (2004) AND A NON-MEDICALLY QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL. WHERE ANY DIRECT REFERENCES OR QUOTATIONS OF MEDICAL
INFORMATION ARE PROVIDED ON THIS SITE, FULL CREDIT IS GIVEN TO AUTHORSHIP OR SOURCE, WHETHER BY PHYSICIAN OR EDUCATOR
IN THE FIELD OF CHRONIC PAIN OR OTHER RELATED SPECIALTIES OR MEDICAL FOUNDATION, ASSOCIATION, ACADEMIC INSTITUTION, OTHER
CHRONIC PAIN WEBSITES, BOOKS, JOURNALS, ETC. AN EXTENSIVE LINKS SECTION IS ALSO PROVIDED GUIDING READERS TO FOUNDATIONS,
JOURNALS, ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, OTHER WEBSITES, ASSOCIATIONS, PUBLISHED ARTICLES AND BOOKS FOR THE PURPOSE
OF PROVIDING EDUCATION AND SUPPORT TO OTHERS SUFFERING FROM INTRACTABLE PAIN . SUFFERERS OFCHRONIC
PAIN SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT A LICENSED PHYSICIAN, PREFERABLY ONE THAT SPECIALIZES IN THE FIELD OF CHRONIC PAIN.
AS THE WEBMASTER, I DO NOT MAKE ANY MONEY FROM THE PUBLISHING OF THIS SITE, NOR DO I ADVERTISE ANY PRODUCTS, COMPANIES
OR SERVICES FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCOME GENERATION. REGARDING THE PRIVACY POLICY, PLEASE KNOW THAT I DO NOT FORWARD
OR PROVIDE CONTENTS OF THIS SITE TO ANY ORGANIZATION, INDIVIDUAL OR OUTSIDE ENTITY. THE TITLE OF THE SITE IS PROVIDED
TO SEARCH ENGINES ONLY FOR PURPOSE OF LINKING AND LOCATION PURPOSES!! I.VILLAGE.COM PROVIDES "FREE
HOSTING" FOR THIS SITE'S PUBLICATION. THANK YOU!! -- SHARON L. O'BRIEN (WEBMASTER)
"We do not receive wisdom;
we must discover it for
ourselves
after a journey that no
one
can take for us or spare
us."
.
. . .Marcel Proust
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THE SITE GUIDE!
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Introduction to overall site; Decade of Pain Control and Research;
short overview of pain
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In this section, I share my own story of dealing with chronic pain and undergoing multiple surgeries;
emotions involved; giving up my working life!
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Options available for those suffering from chronic, intractable pain; extensive
LINKS Section!!! -- UPDATED JANUARY 29, 2004!!
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Some of my favorite web sites -- Available to you
here is a "course" in self-esteem building, as well as a lesson in starting a personal diary or journal. If you know
of any sites that you feel should be on this list, please email me at: mailto:Slobrien3@aol.com and I will add!!
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A primer on pain -- what it is; different types.
This section is in the process of being expanded so check back often for updates and additions!!
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CATEGORIES OF PAIN
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NOCICEPTIVE
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Chronic nociceptive pain is the most common. It is pain from muscle or bone injuries.
Sometimes referred to as "mechanical pain" or "pain on movement". It can last from months to years when damaged tissues
do not heal properly and inflammation becomes chronic. Arthritis pain and most back pain are nociceptive.
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NEUROPATHIC
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Chronic neuropathic pain is caused by damage to the peripheral
nerves or central nervous system. The nervous system sends pain signals to the brain even when there is no longer any
recognizable tissue or nerve damage. This p ain is typically described as stabbing, aching, tingling or burning and
can last for months or years. Possible conditions when experiencing neuropathic pain: post-herpetic neuralgia
or a case of shingles; diabetic neuropathy or foot and leg pain associated with diabetes, complex regional pain syndrome
or reflex sympathetic dystrophy, which usually develops after a tissue or nerve injury.
SOURCE FOR NEUROPATHIC AND NOCICEPTIVE: DR. EDGAR ROSS, DIRECTOR
OF THE BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL PAIN MANAGEMENT CENTER IN BOSTON
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The 106th U.S. Congress passed H.R. 3244
making January 1, 2001 the beginning of the "Decade of Pain Control and Research". President Clinton signed this bill into
law. This is only the second Congressionally declared medical decade, the first being the Decade of the Brain in the 1990s.
It is hoped that this declared "Decade" will "bring a much-needed focus on pain to both the public and private sectors,
and this is a first step in stimulating further progress in research, education and clinical management" said an American
Academy of Pain Medicine release dated October 31, 2000.
There are many treatment options today for an individual
suffering from chronic pain -- options that were not available to me when this all began in 1977-- and reasons to have "hope"
for a bright future in spite of chronic pain. Research now is beginning to show that the earlier a person seeks treatment
for chronic pain, the chances become greater for a positive outcome. One of the more important
lessons I have learned during all of this time with chronic pain is not to look for others to solve my chronic pain -- if
you are suffering from it, then it is your responsibility to seek out the right treatment, including being assertive with
your physician about your pain and how it affects your life, standing up for yourself, and in finding a physician that is
experienced in the field of pain medicine and in treating pain patients. This may take time -- do NOT
give up -- there is help out there!!
In closing my home page, I would like to say a very
heartfelt THANK YOU to the gifted physicians, nurse-practitioners, nurses and very busy staffs of
the neurosurgery, neurology- pain center, orthopaedic surgery, neuroradiology and physical therapy departments of
THE JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, AND THE BETH ISRAEL HOSPITAL IN NEW YORK,
NEW YORK for the excellent treatment I have received for over two decades!!! In particular, I would like to thank Drs. Donlin Long - Neurosurgeon-in-Chief at Johns Hopkins
and Marco Pappagallo - Neurologist and Pain Specialist at Beth Israel Hospital in New York, New York.
FOR FAST ACCESS TO THE "LINKS" PAGE, please click here.
NEW LINKS: "THINK BACK" -- site dedicated to those who want to learn more about managing their back pain, and about pain management.
Well-designed site with eye-catching graphics and appeal!! (FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM)
AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR HEADACHE INFORMATION -- excellently designed, award-winning site!!
LINK: "CONTACT UCLA HEALTHCARE" -- help in finding the right physician.
WATCH FOR A NEW AND
STREAMLINED "EDITION OF THIS WEB SITE SOON!!
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WELCOME TO MY CHRONIC PAIN SITE!!
Chronic spine pain has been my life now for 27 years (in 2004). My purpose in doing this website is to
share with you my story of chronic pain, provide support to the MILLIONS of people in the United States and around the world
also suffering with pain and the people that love them, as well as guide my visitors to an extensive links section of foundations,
associations, journals, support groups, and others all reaching out to the millions in pain, as well as their physicians and
family members.
According to an article published a few years ago
in the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, 50,000,000 people in the United States suffer from chronic
pain caused by various diseases and disorders, and each year another 2.5 million experience acute pain as a result of injury
or surgery. Four people in ten with moderate-to-severe pain cannot find adequate relief. Another recent report
had the figure suffering from chronic pain at an astonishing 90,000,000 people, not to mention the worldwide figure!!
The estimated annual cost in the United States is as much as $100 billion in healthcare expenditures and lost productivity.
In January of 2002, I came across an article written
by Melanie Thernstrom and published in December, 2001 by The New York Times Magazine entitled "Pain: The Disease".
I strongly encourage all readers of my web site to read this article as an introduction to the physically and emotionally
devastating world of chronic pain. It follows one physician as he goes through his day in a Boston pain clinic and the
patients he encounters. A link to this article is provided below:
"PAIN: THE DISEASE" by Melanie Thernstrom --originally published in The New York Times Magazine, December--2001
Common chronic pain syndromes include chronic low
back pain, chronic headache, fibromyalgia, and pain from the various neuropathies. Chronic low back pain is the largest
cause of lost workdays and lost income due to illness and is responsible for more than a quarter of all workers' compensation
claims. Most cases result from sprains or strains of the muscles and ligaments, while others may be due to disc problems.
Chronic pain is very different from acute
pain. "Acute pain is a normal sensation triggered in the nervous system to alert you to possible injury and
the need to take care of yourself", states THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE and they go
on to teach that "chronic pain is different. Chronic pain persists. Pain signals keep firing
in the nervous system for weeks, months, even years. There may be an initial mishap -- sprained back, serious infection,
or there may be an ongoing cause of pain -- arthritis, cancer, ear infection, but some people suffer chronic pain in
the absence of any past injury or evidence of body damage."
Jeffrey Rome, M.D., a pain specialist at the Mayo
Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota and medical editor of Mayo Clinic on Chronic Pain, a comprehensive book on pain management, explains
that "chronic pain limits functioning in everyday activities, which leads to loss of conditioning and other changes.
This then produces discouragement and frustration, which aggravates the pain. When combined with sleep problems, medication
side effects, mounting medical expenses and strain on important relationships, these changes can have a profound effect on
a person's mental and physical well-being."
My problem with chronic pain is the biggest challenge
I face in my life. One of the most difficult day-to-day problems I have with trying to cope with chronic
pain is accepting the life I have now versus trying to go back to the life I had. Being away from people in general
becomes isolating. I miss EVERYTHING about working -- I miss having coffee with my coworkers in the morning, miss gossiping
about my colleagues and complaining in general about the company bosses (just kidding!) -- I miss feeling like I belong somewhere,
miss having somewhere to go each morning and a "purpose" in life. I loved what I did -- loved working nine months at
a time on the company annual meeting -- miss the workaholic hours I kept. On some days, I worked from 6:00 AM
in the morning until 9:00 PM at night -- especially around the time of the association annual meeting. I miss the feeling
of accomplishment and pride I took in my work!! I miss the feelings I had when I knew I was
needed at the workplace and that other people were depending on me, trusted and, most of all, respected my
abilities.
It is wonderful reaching out to others in chronic
pain through this web site and this action has helped with my isolation. I know I am NOT alone, and there are others
out there that are going through the same circumstances and feelings!!
I HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR VISIT TO MY SITE...
TAKE THE TIME TO BROWSE THROUGH THE INFORMATION, THERE IS A LOT HERE -- COME BACK OFTEN AS I AM CONSTANTLY UPDATING AND IMPROVING
THE INFORMATION. TAKE CARE!!
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