This article details the massive rise in overdoses from non-conventional (synthetic opioids). The most common variants are based on fentanyl and are cheap to manufacture. Maybe there is a case for the training and use of naloxone in the community (ambulance / police / Primary...
This short video is an overview of the examination and investigations I conduct in primary care. It served as a reminder to myself about the importance of being gentle and respectful of chronic pain patients when examining them. ...
Lancet article Really important subject for the majority of the world’s population. Particularly those in Low and Middle income countries. “25.5 million of 56.2 million people who died in 2015 experienced serious health suffering due to life-threatening and life-limiting conditions.” ...
An article / study from Friedly et al. in most recent edition of PAIN concludes, "The higher rates of cortisol suppression at 3 weeks in those receiving epidural corticosteroid injections, particularly with longer-acting insoluble corticosteroid formulations, are consistent with sustained systemic absorption of corticosteroid." I often refer...
Sufentanil hybrid given go ahead in EU. Opioid based medication will be useful in acute pain only. It is unlikely to be beneficial in chronic pain. Article from Medscape here....
There is certainly a degree of overlap with the two conditions. However, there is a fair bit of debate out there about whether Fibromyalgia is an auto-immune condition, like Lupus. As yet, the jury is out. It is my opinion that because of the various...
In this video I try and go through the basics of history taking. I use the acronym SOCRATES as the basis for my questioning. I also briefly discuss the use of figurative language that chronic pain patients use. ...
In this short video I summarise history taking in chronic pain patients. I am especially interested in the language used to describe Pain. The use of metaphors, similes and metonyms. I am fascinating in the hyperbolic language used by south Asian patients and the reasons...
These articles are from the International Pain Foundation provide one summary of some of the alternative treatments out there. https://www.painnewsnetwork.org/stories/2018/4/20/4-more-alternative-therapies-that-help-lower-pain-levels ...
I have start a vlog which I aim to update weekly with various topics around chronic pain. My first one is here. This coming week I intend to talk about the 'language of pain.' This important topic will explore the language used by patients in consultations...