Ketamine has shown success in reducing the severe pain

[Guest guest]

(Of interest to those with CMT and CRPS/RSD)

Novel treatment using ketamine has shown success in reducing the severe

pain caused by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

News-Medical.Net 12-Oct-2004

A novel treatment using a common anesthetic drug has shown success in

reducing the severe pain caused by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

(CRPS), according to a study published in the September 2004 issue of

Pain Medicine.

CRPS, a disorder that can be associated with chronic pain resistant to

conventional therapies, affects between 1.5 and 7 million people in the

United States. CRPS is sometimes also known as Reflex Sympathetic

Dystrophy (RSD).

“This pain disorder can be very difficult to treat. Currently-available

conventional therapies, at best, oftentimes only make the pain bearable

for many CRPS sufferers,” said E. Harbut, MD, PhD, of Penn State

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, corresponding author of the study. “In

our retrospective study, some patients who underwent a low-dose infusion

of ketamine experienced complete relief from their pain, suggesting that

this therapy may be an option for some patients with intolerable CRPS.”

Thirty-three patients with unrelenting CRPS were treated using this

novel approach developed by Dr. Graeme E. Correll, BE, MBBS, in Mackay,

Queensland, Australia. Pain relief and the duration of this relief

appeared impressive. After only one treatment, there was complete relief

in 76% (25) of the group. 54% of the patients remained free of pain for

more than three months, 31% for more than six months. Although the

relief of pain did not last indefinitely, it was noted that following a

second treatment given to 12 of the patients, the outcome was improved.

In this retreated group 58% remained pain free for more than a year and

almost 33% experienced relief for over three years. The most frequent

side effect was a feeling of inebriation with less frequent effects

including hallucinations, dizziness, light-headedness and nausea.

“Ultimately, we want to find a way to improve the quality of life for

those who suffer with intolerable and endless CRPS -- that is our hope,”

said Harbut. Although optimistic about these early findings, “Certainly

more study is needed to further establish the safety and efficacy of

this novel approach.” (A large clinical study is currently planned and

under development at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.)

Rollin M. Gallagher, MD, MPH, Editor-in-Chief of Pain Medicine, notes,

“How medical breakthroughs occur is usually a story of human ingenuity

and perseverance fueled by compassion and intellect. Dr. Correll’s

promising innovation, forged by necessity in tiny resource-poor clinics

in the jungles of Papua-New Guinea and Northern Australia and carefully

shepherded to publication by his co-authors, may herald an effective

treatment for one of mankind’s most enigmatic and agonizing diseases.

Prospective, controlled studies must follow to establish its safety and

efficacy.”

http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/