United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Did anyone see the Pain treatment piece on ABC's Good Morning America on Dec.6? It seems that there are some Doctors in Germany using large doses of ketamine to put RSD patients into comma for 5 days, and when they come out a large share of them are substantially relieved of thier neuropathic pain symptoms. A doctor in Philidelphia is working with them over here. Yes it is a different set of circumstances, but the question begs asking. Onepaw

Didn't see the programme but brings a point to what steps could be taken to relieve pain. Thought about going to a hypnotist. Don't they help people do everything else, like give up smoking, lose weight etc. What mind games could they play with pain. Could they have the method to control the mind enough that not that you will get pain, but the pain would be a different sensation.....at least something milder.....it gets you thinking....regards Michael

Sorry I missed that segment!
Always good to hear that there is a group of doctors working on finding a solution to this chronic pain so many must cope with!
I have been told that my pain is no longer stemming from the original injury, but that the signals to my brain are confused and that these pain signals are sort of "locked in" (sorry not the medical term for this) and thus very difficult to treat.
I did just mention in another post that I have found that simply using one of those massaging, vibrating heated chair pads greatly reduces my pain levels (at least temporarily). I wondered if the pulsations were distracting the signals and working along the same lines as the Tens units or biofeedback treatments... I can't see that it is simply the heat and massage that is making such a difference because my pain has never been simply "muscular". Anything is possible I suppose. I am just happy it helps.
I would love to follow the news on this idea of coma to treat pain. If you hear any updates or have links, please share.

Do you have one of those electric, heated, buzzing chairs that vendors sell in the aisles of the shopping malls, or only a pad? Is it full-length, or only around your neck? I have a full-length back support with a headrest that my wife bought me at a medical supply house, and I use it for driving, and in my office chair -- it is unbelievable how much it helps.
The link I have for the coma story is:http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=305492&page=1
Onepaw

Hi Michael,

I tried the hypnotism. I had a nap but little else. Has it worked for anyone?

H

I was given Ketamine soon after my accident. It wasn't enough to put me under but it was nough to callapse my lung a matter of minutes after starting on it. A large dose was to be given to me over a space of 2 or 3 hrs. Anyway they had to stop. They did do it once more at a lower dosage later on. I still get terrible pains so I can't really say it helped.
Also I tried hypnosis once and it didn't help. I would like to try again because I don't think she was a very experienced one.

Thanks for the link Onepaw. I will read it. Gayle, so sorry to hear about your bad experience. A collapsed lung! Good grief!
The chair pad is just one of those full length ones you can use on any chair or plug into your car lighter. It was a real bargain so I thought it would be another useless gadget money was wasted on... but it really helps! Mine doesn't have a headrest. In my case, my damaged disks don't respond well to vibration and heat, so it's just as well because I usually use ice on my neck. I am happy to hear you are enjoying yours and I sincerely hope others will give it a try...not much to lose.

Thanks for the reply Nan.
I'm at 95.00 dollars on mine--just to get an idea of where we are at. Onepaw

I'm workin on it.
Onepaw