Despite being a chronic pain sufferer, until a few minutes ago I had no idea that there are two different types of chronic pain – thanks for the vital education! (74 year-old man, lots of arthritis, plus compressed cervical and lumbar vertebrae.)
No person with pain should be denied appropriate pain relief, including opioids, whether that pain is deemed to be secondary or primary.
We can’t just say “we can’t find explanatory pathology for your pain and therefore you can’t have pain relief”. If a pain patient says they experience relief from opioids and has improved function or quality of life, we must believe them.
Mindfulness, CBT, and graded exercise programs have no effect on chronic pain, whether primary or secondary. What does help some people at least to some degree, is medication, being as active (including socially) as their individual situation permits (keeping in mind that some people should avoid any kind of vigorous exercise or even much mental stimulation) combined with empathetic support.
I believe there is more that primary chronic pain patients can take advantage of but this discussion isn’t the place.
Completely agree. I know people who have fibro who get a lot of relief from opioids. Techically they have primary pain, and opioids should not work. Just like they say that opioids don't work for neuropathic pain...but that's not true either. If people get relief from opioids, they should be allowed opioids. It should be the patients informed choice, after risks and benefits have been explained. I was quoting guidelines, but that doesn't really come across, I will edit to be more clear!!! Thank you so much!
Bottom line, we all need and deserve individualised care. Not this cattle call to pain science education and psychological therapies. I'd like to hear more about therapies primary pain patients could take advantage of, looking forward to learning more at some point :).
Despite being a chronic pain sufferer, until a few minutes ago I had no idea that there are two different types of chronic pain – thanks for the vital education! (74 year-old man, lots of arthritis, plus compressed cervical and lumbar vertebrae.)
No person with pain should be denied appropriate pain relief, including opioids, whether that pain is deemed to be secondary or primary.
We can’t just say “we can’t find explanatory pathology for your pain and therefore you can’t have pain relief”. If a pain patient says they experience relief from opioids and has improved function or quality of life, we must believe them.
Mindfulness, CBT, and graded exercise programs have no effect on chronic pain, whether primary or secondary. What does help some people at least to some degree, is medication, being as active (including socially) as their individual situation permits (keeping in mind that some people should avoid any kind of vigorous exercise or even much mental stimulation) combined with empathetic support.
I believe there is more that primary chronic pain patients can take advantage of but this discussion isn’t the place.
Again, really lovely work Neen.
Completely agree. I know people who have fibro who get a lot of relief from opioids. Techically they have primary pain, and opioids should not work. Just like they say that opioids don't work for neuropathic pain...but that's not true either. If people get relief from opioids, they should be allowed opioids. It should be the patients informed choice, after risks and benefits have been explained. I was quoting guidelines, but that doesn't really come across, I will edit to be more clear!!! Thank you so much!
Bottom line, we all need and deserve individualised care. Not this cattle call to pain science education and psychological therapies. I'd like to hear more about therapies primary pain patients could take advantage of, looking forward to learning more at some point :).