Nov 23 2008
What do you do for Breakthrough Pain?
Many of us in a chronic pain condition that go to a pain specialist here about different meds for different pains. Some of us are on one pain med for the day to day pain and one for breakthrough pain. According to one source 86% of us experience breakthrough pain at one time or another. Most breakthrough pain (called BTP now) is not going to be dealt with taking your normal day to day dose of pain medication.
Especially if you aren’t even on pain meds. Some of us in a chronic pain condition, for one reason or another, decide to forgo taking pain meds. For me, I take nothing for my chronic pain condition but a single dose of Elavil at night to try to sleep and have a little of the pain subside. I have such a low tolerance for medicine in general that it isn’t worth it to me to take more medicine. For BTP I will double up on my other therapies on the bad times, an extra chiro visit, another go around of yoga. And some times just an extra meditation session.
No matter how you deal with it, BTP is a real issue for most of us. How do you deal with yours??
Hi Tina,
Yes, the statistics are staggering for the numbers of people in chronic pain worldwide. The American Pain Association recently reported that over 80% of all people in North America and Europe will suffer from chronic pain at some point in their lives.
And people continue to spend thousands on drugs, treatments and surgery that do not free them from their pain. Did you know that pain is the leading medical cost in the US? Back pain is the second leading cause of doctors appointments and the third leading cause of hospitalizations in the US.
I have worked with a specialist who has recently written a book on chronic pain you might be interested in. He is a former chronic pain sufferer and has been doing research on chronic pain for over 40 years.
You can sign up to get a free chapter of his book at:
www.foreverfreefromchronicpain.com
Thanks for creating a blog that allows people to share their experiences and knowledge about chronic pain. Having a community and support is so essential in surviving this crippling affliction.
Sincere wishes for freedom from your pain,
Megan