U.S. News & World Report March 17, 1997 http://www.usnews.com/usnews/nycu/health/hepain.htm
BEATING THE PAIN
Pain does not have to be a fact of life--or death. Many organizations offer
information about support groups, referrals, and new treatments. Below are some
resources for the most common types of pain.
GENERAL RESOURCES
The National Chronic Pain Outreach Association (540-997-5004).
How to Cope With Chronic Pain by Nelson Hendler, M.D., and Judith Fenton, (Liberty Publishing Co., $9.95).
The Worldwide Congress on Pain Web site. http://www.pain.com/
A Child In Pain (Hartley & Marks Publishers Inc., $14.95) by Leora Kuttner.
MIGRAINE HEADACHES
Severe headaches caused by expansion of blood vessels.
PAIN TREATMENT
Prescription drugs, including Imitrex and Depakote; also acupuncture and massage.
RESOURCES
The National Headache Foundation (800-843-2256) and Web site . http://www.headaches.org/
Migraine by Oliver Sacks (University of California Press, $15.95).
TMJ
Temporomandibular joint disorder. A jaw condition caused by muscle spasms and teeth-grinding.
PAIN TREATMENT
Muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotics and, mouth splints.
RESOURCES
The American Academy of Head, Neck and Facial Pain (800-322-8651).
TMJ and Facial Pain Center Web site . http://www.netset.com/docws/
TMJ: Its Many Faces by Wesley Shankland (Anadem Publishing, $19.95).
SHINGLES
A disease of the skin and nerves caused by the chicken pox virus.
PAIN TREATMENT
Antiviral drugs can minimize outbreaks. Narcotics and antiseizure drugs may be prescribed. A new anaesthetic cream, EMLA, seems effective in dulling skin tenderness.
RESOURCES
The VZV Research Foundation (800-472-8478).
Shingles and PHN (Cross River Press, $10.95) by Thomas Carl Thomsen.
TERMINAL ILLNESS
Cancer and AIDS can inflict severe pain, especially near the end.
PAIN TREATMENT
May consist of drug "cocktails" containing a narcotic (to dull pain) and a stimulant (to ward off drowsiness). Many patients also find relief from therapies such as acupuncture and massage. People with terminal illnesses often need help managing depression, anger, and grief, as well.
RESOURCES
The National Hospice Organization (800-658-8898).
The National Cancer Institute, Cancer Information Service (800-422-6237).
The Cancer Pain Page Web site . http://www.mdacc.tmc.edu/~acc
Online book Pain in HIV/AIDS . http://www.roxane.com/Roxane/RPI/AIDSPain/PainBook/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site http://www.cdc.gov/ and AIDS Hotline (800-342-2437).
BACK PAIN
Bone, muscle, ligament, tendon, nerve, and joint disorders can lead to chronic back pain.
PAIN TREATMENT
Over-the-counter painkillers, prescription anti-inflammatories, exercise, ultrasound, and traction. Surgery and narcotics may also be advised.
RESOURCES
Chronic Back Pain: Moving On (Biddle Publishing Co., $9.95).
WellnessWeb . http://wellweb.com/index/QBACKPAI.html