Drug developer Labopharm Inc. is eliminating 38 positions, or nearly 30 per cent of its current work force, the Montreal-area company announced Tuesday.

An Estero woman faces 14 felony counts after Lee County investigators say she used her employer's DEA number to call in prescriptions without his knowledge.

The more that I research, the more that I find that there might actually be strong correlations between chronic pain and PTSD. This of course makes sense if your chronic pain is caused by the same thing at the root of your PTSD. This is exactly what the article below looks at. I am a strong believer in the correlation and that one condition can be overlooked because of the other. However, I wonder what if the two were mutually exclusive? For example, I have a history that caused my PTSD but might not be directly linked to my current chronic pain. Does the article below still apply? I leave that to you to decide (or until I find the research!)!

PTSD and Chronic Pain

By: Cynthia Townsend, PhD

While chronic pain and PTSD are conditions that may occur together, their relationship to one another is not always obvious and is often overlooked. PTSD can be overlooked because the health care provider, the patient and the family may be focusing on the pain disorder. At times, the patient’s level of disability may be attributed solely to pain. Because there is such a close relationship between PTSD and chronic pain, they have been referred to as “mutually maintaining” conditions.^9,10 This is because the presence of both PTSD and chronic pain can increase the symptom severity of either condition.¹¹ 

For example, people with chronic pain may avoid activity because they fear the pain – avoiding activity can lead to physical de-conditioning and greater disability and pain over time. Similarly, people with PTSD may avoid reminders of the trauma. This avoidance of activity can lead to the continuation of PTSD symptoms while also contributing to greater physical disability. People with chronic pain may also focus their attention toward their pain while individuals with PTSD may unknowingly focus on things that remind them of the trauma. Consequently, people with both PTSD and chronic pain may have less time and energy to focus on more adaptive ways of coping with both their pain and fear. Furthermore, people with PTSD often experience symptoms of arousal and tension, which may decrease their tolerance for handling pain and increase their perception of pain.

Join me for breakfast today at Internet Cafe Devotions!

I’ve got things wrong with me.

Wounds of past rejections, bruises of past failures, hurts of past losses, and aches of unforgiveness…





I got to talk to my son, Jess, today on sat phone. He’s in Afghanistan. It was so awesome to hear his voice and know he is doing well. We got to talk for a little while, too…sweet! Made my whole day just fabulous. In other frabjous news, my POTS has been a bit better the last two days. I haven’t been skyrocketing into the ether with the tachycardia so much, and have mostly been spiking 40-50 beats per minute instead of 80-100. So that’s a substantial improvement, as far as how I am able to function. I was able to get some extra chores done today. Admittedly, I did overdo it. I was just so psyched from talking to Jesse, and feeling a bit more human that I ran on overdrive.

I think it may be the extra caffeine I’ve had lately. As far as what I’ve done differently, that’s really all I can think of to explain a difference. I’ve had probably 2 or 3 times the amount of caffeine in the past couple of days. So maybe that is somehow helping? It could just be a fluke, too. If it is a fluke, it is a happy fluke. I would like to figure it out if I can so that I can try and replicate it.

Went to the ‘girl parts doc’ yesterday for a long overdue checkup. Things seem to be fine. I did get some advice about my PMDD. The doc, who I really liked (new one for me – referred by a friend), suggested that if I have my menses stopped, I should see a significant reduction in PMDD symptoms. The other bonus with that is that I should also have a better outcome with my Dysautonomia, because it is always just horrible around that time. It’s the extra blood pooling in my womb as well as the hormonal changes…that just sends my body into a POTS spiral from hades. So I am strongly considering an ablation. I go in next week for a biopsy as a preliminary thing, just to make sure there are no abnormalities that would make for complications. I admit the whole idea is kind of exciting. No more ‘girly mess’ and improved symptoms in several areas (PMDD, Dysautonomia, hemiplegic migraines, etc) is an exciting prospect.

Sorry if that’s TMI for some of you, but for the Potsy ladies out there, I think this is good info to have, so I will keep you posted on the outcome.

Oh, AND I got to hang with a very cool friend the other day….good times :~D

Haven’t taken many readings, so I won’t post them today. I’ll wait another day or two and post the week’s data. I really did overdo things today. My spine is killing me. I believe I will sleep a while (or try, anyway) and hope like heck this pain pill kicks in soon. It just felt so good to be able to get up and do stuff. I did laundry, I swept (always a spine killer), I engaged in some compulsive decorating…it was great until I realized I’d crossed the line. You know, the one where your body suddenly lets you know it’s gonna get even with you for pushing too hard. Sigh. It was kind of worth it, though.

And I got to talk to Jess! I admit that I care far less about the day’s pain and symptoms than I do about the complete awesomeness of talking to my brave toaster. I really am the world’s luckiest mom ever….very proud of my boys. Corey got an internship at a recording studio, too…which is awesome. Some days life just rocks despite the pain and junk. So rock on!

Disclaimer: This is not an original idea of mine; I’ve seen various forms of this in the cyberverse. After a rough week, I felt the need to ask my body/mind why they were causing me so much grief. A letter seemed the most appropriate format.

Dear Mind & Body:

What is it you are trying to tell me? I lie, stone still, and listen. Hear heart beat; feel pain; feel the weight of you like lead against the duvet.

If I close my eyes, I can see the neck throb spasms; visualize the blood circulating (or not) from top of head to tip of toe. Feel where the numbness gives way to the jagged edges of pain. Count the seconds between the stomach cramps or stabbing gurgles.

The deep aches in my legs seem to laugh at the four lidocaine patches (one on thigh and shin of each leg). Face feels like sinus infection, abscessed teeth, black eye on the left side. The pain cascade from neck to cheek bone to jaw to teeth, once begun, seems immune to breakthrough meds.

Are you punishing me for neglecting you in the past? When I could walk for hours; party to dawn. When my mind still could hold information; when it didn’t hurt to talk. When the dragon in my belly hibernated; occasionally shifting her position in her sleep; shaking scales and tail; flexing wings while dreaming of flying.

Do my legs ache because I walked too much or not enough yesterday? Even after sleeping for 10 hours on Saturday, the fatigue still sits on my shoulders. So, how much sleep do you really need since you insist on usually waking me up every 2 hours or so?

What do you want me to feed you? Why do you crave sugar like an addict; why do you let me lose control over how much and what I eat? What you liked yesterday, you give me grief over today. Or was it what I ate 3 days ago?

What do you expect of me? What messages are you sending in zapping pains, soul-deep aches. When I try to stretch you gently, move you carefully, you retaliate with increased neck spasms, facial pain, and migraines.

Why do you opt for a chemical imbalance that makes depression is my shadow? Why have you chosen to have a good memory for bad things and a bad memory for good things? I walk into a room, unsure why I am there. Things go missing like large chunks of my cognitive abilities.

The act of sitting here writing you a letter has started a new pain cascade. The tingling numbness will explode. Back in bed; in the fetal position; I will slow down my breath, and try and decode the messages you keep sending. Is it morse code – the dots and dashes of my pounding heart; binary language of 1s and 0s combined in pain; a mythical language from our ancient past following the neuropathways? Where do I get my “secret decoder ring?” When will you speak to me in words; sentences; paragraphs that I can understand?

Image by JKönig via Flickr

******

Now, it’s your turn. Compose: a letter, an email, a series of tweets; a poem; draw pictures, or shoot a vlog. Address your project to your mind and body: your “project” can be nurturing, encouraging, positive, funny or chastising, angry, unhappy. Whatever dialogue develops between the writing/creating you and the chronic you. And, of course, if you like, you can include your body’s and mind’s response. I’m still waiting for a reply from mine!

There will be fun {sur}prises for those folks who participate. (No askinng for hints, or shaking the package.) You can post a link to your blog if you chose to go public in the comments section here, or email me with the link, or with your communiqué to yourself. My email is: phylorsblog@ymail.com I look forward to reading your seeing/reading your projects.

Update: I should have been more clear — you can put your comminique in the comments section. And, as was suggested, I’ll set a due date for April 1st (no fooling), but I’m pretty flexible about that. Enjoy.

– to say the least!!

Anyone who lives with a chronic condition that can rear its worst ugly head at any time often unprovoked in a seemingly random fashion will appreciate what I’m talking about. Am I doing all I wanted to do for Lent? Or anything else, for that matter? No and no.

The last months have been difficult. After my dear husband Steve’s death, I entered  a long period of changes, decisions, activity when able, sometimes very physically challenging. A few months ago, I suddenly felt I had hit a mental and spiritual brick wall. The brain just did not want to engage. It wasn’t like depression, I know well what that is, I just could not put my finger on it. Talking it over with a wise friend, we realized I was tired – mentally tired – and the solution had to be small steps, prayer, and time.

I’m beginning to do a bit better now – but am also grappling with another situation not of my own making. As many of you who live with chronic pain know, the FDA in its infinite wisdom stupidity has pulled off the market a very old, reliable, and relatively mild pain relief medication. Don’t give us the facts and let each patient and doctor weigh the risks for each individual and let each individual decide – NO! – can’t have that going on! Those of us with FMS are quite sensitive to medications to begin with – so having to change to a stronger med can be a problem. Most of us also prefer to only take something when absolutely necessary – we tolerate a certain level of pain every day. First med the Dr. and I tried had side effects that were intolerable. Current med requires one to keep a certain level in the bloodstream – it will not be effective if one takes it when the pain is really high – great – now I have to take pills at times when I would have toughed it out in the past. I’m not happy. The whole pill dose in it’s lowest amount had bad effects. So now the experiments begin – the tablets can be cut in half so I am trying a half dose and extending the time between. Monday I was still suffering effects from the higher dose – yesterday, brought major Fibro Fog – Who am I? Where am I? — best not make any major decisions. (Sigh!!) Most likely not from the meds – but from the FMS itself – or not, time will tell.

Today, I finally feel OK – maybe the half pill formula will work – hope so.

I talked to my friend about the frustration we all feel when we are simply unable to do that which others can take for granted – I find this particularly difficult when it affects my spiritual life. Sometimes, I’m not sure what God really wants from me – what will please him – how can I show my love – and then I get into that place most of us know well, because most of us are Type A personalities – so the self questioning and self doubt begins – Am I really not able to do more? Am I just being lazy or taking the easy way out? – and on and on – until we come to our senses!

My very dear friend thought about our conversation and the other day she brought me a piece of writing she did for me – she has given me permission to post it, but wants to remain Anonymous – so here it is, hope it helps you, too – it came straight from her heart:

God calls us all in different ways. To some he gives more work than others. But I think we are all given challenging times in our lives. Now, how to handle it?

First, we need faith. We need to believe that we will make it to the end of the “yellow brick road” or whatever brick road we are aiming for – the afterlife. So, ya gotta believe that whatever comes, we’ll get through it and move past it (Faith).

And, there are some conditions of life that are chronic and aren’t going away, This situation is particularly challenging and, I think, requires periods of rest and meditation interspersed with periods of action and work. Prayer is always a big help in these times. I believe we must also have faith in ourselves as well as in God. Sometimes this “self-belief” (Hope) is the hardest thing to do because we are tired or hurting or just lose our way for a time. But we must continue to look ahead. 

So I think we all must do what we can with what we have and keep believing that it can get better – move on with Faith, Hope, and a smile – not always easy, but worth the try.

May God bless all of you out there who struggle with a chronic condition that radically alters your quality of life.

Well, here I am, faced with a dilemma. Due to the vaccine injury and subsequent medical issues I have had, my body does not heal as quickly as it should. Although I take very good care of my teeth, have them cleaned twice a year, and brush and floss daily, it looks like I need to have a root canal, as well a post and crown. Unfortunately, I am unable to due to my doctor’s healing concerns with me.

At times, usually when I am feeling run-down, I do feel a bit of discomfort in that area and become concerned about what will happen if I end up having to get the root canal despite my healing issues. So I started doing some research and have found that if I cannot wait until my body’s healing ability improves, I can have the work done by laser.  The more information I find, the more amazed I am at what laser dentistry can do these days. As the discomfort is only occasional, I will keep reading and learning in preparation for the day I will have my dental work done, and as I have learned,  I will have done my homework and taken responsibility for my health and welfare.

Caring Medical specializes in healing chronic pain. The main treatment is Prolotherapy, an injection therapy that stimulates the body’s immune system to heal painful areas. Since a person’s immune system is a crucial part of the treatment it’s important that a pain patient be in good health to facilitate healing. Prolotherapy starts the healing process as the body grows stronger tissue. The healthier the person the more tissue is stimulated with each treatment.

One of the best ways to ensure good health is through proper diet. Some of our Prolotherapy patients choose to have Diet Typing done to determine their Hauser Diet type and in turn maximize their health and their healing. Other patients are urged to have Diet Typing done, especially if healing has not begun after three or so treatments. We believe all of our chronic pain patients would benefit from the Hauser Diet. In the case of the Otter Diet, the high protein and fat content can help immensely in a person with this particular physiology.

Here’s a look at how a person with Otter physiology can experience maximum healing through the Otter Diet.

Balancing Acidic Blood pH: A significant number of chronic pain patients have an unbalanced venous blood pH. Otters tend to have low venous blood pH or acidic blood. Acid blood is typically dark in color due to low oxygen content. A low oxygen content in the blood compromises healing capabilities. The treatment for acid blood is to consume foods that neutralize the blood pH, mainly protein and fat as found in the Otter Diet. Additionally, acidifying foods such as caffeine, sugar, wheat, citrus fruits, soda pop, and potatoes should be avoided. Protein and vegetables should be the majority of the meal. We have observed that people with acid blood are typically carbohydrate addicts and consume very little protein. Protein is needed in the diet because collagen, which makes up ligaments and tendons, is the most abundant protein in the body. A healthy diet with adequate amounts of protein for soft tissue growth is essential for healthy ligament and tendon injuries.

Normalizing Fast Oxidation: Blood sugars also play a role in healing. Otters tend to be fast oxidizers, meaning their body uses food at a rapid rate, leading to blood sugar crashes and fatigue. These patients need to normalize blood sugars to provide the body with the energy and nutrients needed to heal. This normalization is achieved by consuming foods that break down slowly. Protein and fat are slow in their breakdown while carbohydrates metabolize quicker. Therefore the Otter Diet is the perfect diet for fast oxidizers.

Repairing Adrenal Exhaustion: There is another scenario that requires a higher protein and fat diet. Oftentimes chronic pain takes a toll on a person’s body leading to fatigue. This fatigue is evident by a flat-line glucose tolerance curve. This type of “flat line” points toward adrenal exhaustion, or hypocortisolism treated with a combination of a high protein /low carbohydrate diet, supplements, and cortisol to help the body with this exhaustion.

Diet is a crucial step in helping your body reach a healing mode. From there, other measures can be taken such as beginning a supplement regime or testing for hormone deficiencies. Our natural medicine and Prolotherapy physician, Dr. Ross Hauser, is able to examine each case on an individual basis to determine the best course of action.

Don’t neglect diet when trying to achieve maximum healing. Call Caring Medical today to learn more about complete healing and pain relief.