Micke Brown, BSN, RN

Gigi,

I am so happy you wrote on the forum and shared snip-its of the struggles you are experiencing with your pain journey. There are others like you who will help both here and in the chat room. We meet every M, W, F from 11am-12noon ET. Please join us and we can share real-time—help answer any questions you may have AND listen to your…[Read more]

I would like them to know that when someone reports having pain, not to automatically jump to:

1. That person is drug seeking (when they are most likely relief seeking)
2. That opioids should be automatically prescribed (they may or may not be one of the treatment options to consider)

Most of all: Listen, listen, listen–clues on what might be…[Read more]

Please avoid using the term “narcotic” as that is a law enforcement term that includes both licit and illicit substances. Opioids, opiates or opioid pain relievers are the more appropriate medical terms. We, in the pain field, have been working for over 2 decades to correct this terminology. I know as a future pain educator, you want to get this…[Read more]

What is your doctor’s reason? Is there concern about the acetaminophen exposure or the hydrocodone? Last summer 2014, combination hydrocodone + acetaminophen was up-scheduled by the DEA to class 2 (from class 3) which means it can no longer be refilled or called in to the pharmacy as was done before; it has to follow the same rules as the other…[Read more]

The FDA has a nice resource to review: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm096386.htm; you can sign up for updates. There is also a PDF version of a consumer brochure: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/EnsuringSafeUseofMedicine/GeneralUseofMedicine/UCM229033.pdf.

Happy Reading.…[Read more]

Sadly, I am not surprised. We have a long way to go until the medical community (as well as the insurance industry) learns more about and promotes multi-modality, patient-centered, relationship focused pain care. It sounds like the physicians you spoke with are not practicing nor supporting integrative medicine.

I recently found myself nursing (pun intended) back pain that caused heel pain when standing & walking (most likely a back strain involving L5-S1 and or my SI joint). I am a big fan of thermal techniques, so I started with wearing a Tiger Balm patch during the day and switching to my heating pad at night. NSAID’s helped a tad plus stretching more,…[Read more]

I recently found myself nursing (pun intended) back pain that caused heel pain when standing & walking (most likely a back strain involving L5-S1 and or my SI joint). I am a big fan of thermal techniques, so I started with wearing a Tiger Balm patch during the day and switching to my heating pad at night. NSAID’s helped a tad plus stretching more,…[Read more]

SHBAE45: I have not seen this type of case, however, it does not sound far fetched either. I was wondering if instilling viscous lidocaine might help. What happens with cold temperatures? You might ask this question to the American Association of Pain Management, American Pain Society or the American Association of Pain Medicine where members are…[Read more]