There is evidence to show that up to 95% of pain in cancer can be successfully controlled with the right medication. In practice, there is a widespread lack of application of current knowledge, for a number of reasons which can include patients failing to communicate their needs. Pain can very quickly sap the will to live. So if you want to beat the odds, insist on a state-of-the-art approach, consult a pain specialist. You should also however be aware of the importance of weaning yourself from pain-killers as soon as you begin to recover.
PROLOTHERAPY / PAIN RELIEF WITHOUT DRUGS
Perineural Injection Therapy, also known as neural prolotherapy, is an elegant but simple solution in the treatment of pain. It is a revolutionary approach to neuropathic pain and other musculoskeletal conditions refined by John Lyftogt, MD, a physician living in New Zealand.
AND HERE IS THE PAIN CLINIC AT SCNM:
The Oxford Pain Internet Site gives details on analgesics, side effects and novel, left-of-field pain treatments.
For a list of pain management centres in the UK, see www.tamethepain.co.uk
See also:
- The American Pain Society
- International Association of the Study of Pain
- American Pain Foundation
- Pain Resource Center and Education
- Medscape’s Cancer Pain Management Resource Center – a collection of Pain Service at the Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, U.S.A. for the latest medical news and information on cancer-related pain.
For Bone Metastases / Multiple Myeloma
Bone Metastases are one of the greatest sources of pain in late-stage cancer. But now you can do something about them in a new approach that combines orthodox and orthomolecular medicine.
Bisphosphonates are bone-building drugs, initially developed against osteoporosis. However, latterly it has been discovered that they interfere with the nesting of cancer in the bone and, probably because of this, radically affect pain control once the treatment is well underway (3 months onwards). They can be taken orally or intravenously. The daily oral route can produce nausea and digestion problems and the drug is poorly absorbed. The IV route – done usually once a month – must be supervised by an expert and done in not less than three hours, as speedy infusions can deplete blood electrolytes and cause cardiac problems.
The long term effects of bisphosphonates are not known. But in the short term they appear relatively non-toxic and can radically halt cancer-associated bone loss and hypercalcaemia – high blood calcium levels which can lead to kidney failure. Because bisphosphonates are incorporated into bone and have a relatively long shelf-life, their beneficial effects can last for many months post-treatment. Levels of Vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and serum electrolytes, should be measured prior to treatment and then heavily supplemented, as bisphosphonates tend to lower all these. This will ensure maximum benefit. If bone building is the aim, it is important to check there are no stomach and intestinal absorption problems for the necessary bone building nutrients. Follow an exercise programme devised by your bone specialist. Further, it is recommended you supplement with bone-growth promoting nutriceuticals such as Ipriflavone, a synthetic isoflavone. Ipriflavone is essentially a phyto-oestrogens, (natural, plant oestrogens) and works on the principle that, for maximum bone growth, oestrogen is needed – even in males. (Asians, who ingest diets rich in phyto-oestrogens, have some of the lowest rates of osteoporosis worldwide). Work done with Ipriflavone at the Mayo Clinic and elsewhere suggests it may be just as efficacious, or even more so, than bisphosphonates in bone-building. Ipriflavone or bisphosphonates may be combined or used alone. Ipriflavone has less adverse effects than bisphosphonates long term, in that it does alter the crystalline structure of bone, and lower serum electrolytes. Ipriflavone should be combined with 1000 mg calcium daily. The daily total dose of Ipriflavone is 600 mg, taken in three split doses. (See Resources for suppliers).
Bisphosphonates come under many brand names and there are now a number of “generations” of them. Pamidronate, brand name “Aredia”, currently has the longest good track record, for Myeloma, and is probably a good middle-of-the-road choice. Other bisphosphonates can have increased toxicities and even a bone-destructive effect at the wrong dose. So for clear guidance on the right one to use, plus dosage, it is critical to consult a bone cancer specialist.
Alert: Jan 2008 – the FDA has highlighted the possibility of severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint, and/or muscle pain in patients taking bisphosphonates. For more information go to: https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/what-to-make-of-the-new-warning-on-bisphosphonates