Pain Medication

[Guest guest]

I am often in a " catch 22 " type of situation. I get severe pain at

times, severe enough that I am often taken to the ER for Morphine

drips or Demerol and Toradol but when I'm home I take 600mg Motrin or

T-3 (Tylenol w/codeine) or Vicodin to control the pain but here's the

dilemma...

I get toxic effects and symptoms from taking the pain medication that

makes me nauseated, flushed, headaches, dizziness (it feels like my

body is on instant toxic overload from the pain meds and I go into

instant withdrawal-like symptoms; even after only taking one of the

pills).

I'm not sure what to do? if I don't take the pain meds at home I

would definitely end up in the ER getting Morphine or Demerol, etc.

but if I take the Motrin, Tylenol, or Vicodin at home I get ill and

go into toxic overload.

Does anyone know of any other kind of pain remedy that would work on

severe pain other than chemical medications? (The key here is it has

to work fast and on severe pain)

Thanx in advance,

Dana

[Guest guest]

Ask your doctor about DLPA. (d, l-phenylalanine )

It's not a medication, its a food.

But it helps your body's own fight against chronic pain. And its

cheap, if you buy it in bulk.

What is the pain FROM? Are you getting it, whatever it is, treated?

On Sun, Aug 3, 2008 at 10:57 PM, gsgrl2000 <gsgrl2000@...> wrote:

> I am often in a " catch 22 " type of situation....

[Guest guest]

I've done research on phenylalanine and aspartame and to my

understanding aspartame is phenylalanine but I know there are

different forms of phenylalanine?

Aspartame is a non-food source of phenylalanine. D-phenylalanine is

synthesized in a lab and l-phenylalanine is the natural amino acid

found in protein. D, l-phenylalanine is a combination of both d and

l - phenylalanine.

It basically, in layman's terms, sounds like l-phenylalanine is a

natural supplement for natural phenylalanine found in foods but

aspartame and d-phenylalanine are unnatural forms of phenylalanine

that tend to cause problems for many people. And those with PKU can't

have any form of phenylalanine. I wouldn't want to take the

combination form d, l-phenylalanine but l-phenylalanine sounds to me

more natural but it's not used for pain management so I guess it

wouldn't help me much.

I searched d, l-phenylalanine and found this from the Wikipedia site:

Phenylketonuria

The genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) is the inability to

metabolize phenylalanine. Individuals with this disorder are known

as " phenylketonurics " and must abstain from consumption of

phenylalanine. This dietary restriction also applies to pregnant

women with hyperphenylalanine (high levels of phenylalanine in blood)

because they do not properly metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine.

Persons suffering from PKU must monitor their intake of protein to

control the buildup of phenylalanine as their bodies convert protein

into its component amino acids.

A non food source of phenylalanine is the artificial sweetener

aspartame. This compound, sold under the trade names " Equal "

and " NutraSweet " , is metabolized by the body into several chemical

byproducts including phenylalanine. The breakdown problems

phenylketonurics have with protein and the attendant build up of

phenylalanine in the body also occurs with the ingestion of

aspartame, although to a lesser degree. Accordingly, all products in

Australia, the U.S. and Canada that contain aspartame must be

labeled: " Phenylketonurics: Contains phenylalanine. " In the UK, foods

containing aspartame must carry ingredients panels that refer to the

presence of 'aspartame or E951',[3] and they must be labeled with a

warning " Contains a source of phenylalanine " . These warnings are

specifically placed to aid individuals who suffer from PKU so that

they can avoid such foods.

Geneticists have recently sequenced the genome of macaques. Their

investigations have found " some instances where the normal form of

the macaque protein looks like the diseased human protein " including

markers for PKU.[4]

-----------------------------

-----------------------------

Phenylalanine

One of the moieties of the aspartame molecule is phenylalanine,

which is unsafe for those born with phenylketonuria, a rare genetic

condition. Phenylalanine is one of the nine essential amino acids and

is commonly found in foods. Approximately 50% of aspartame (by mass)

is broken down into phenylalanine, which is considered safe for

everyone except sufferers of phenylketonuria. Because aspartame is

metabolized and absorbed very quickly (unlike phenylalanine-

containing proteins in foods), it is known that aspartame could spike

blood plasma levels of phenylalanine.[33][34] The debate centers on

whether a significant spike in blood plasma phenylalanine occurs at

typical aspartame ingestion levels, whether a sudden influx of

phenylalanine into the bloodstream adversely affects uptake of other

amino acids into the brain and the production of neurotransmitters

(since phenylalanine competes with other Large Neutral Amino Acids

(LNAAs) for entry into the brain at the blood brain barrier), and

whether a significant rise in phenylalanine levels would be

concentrated in the brain of fetuses and be potentially neurotoxic.

Based on anecdotes from aspartame users, measuring levels of

neurotransmitters in the brains of animals and measuring the

potential of aspartame to cause seizures in animals, some scientists

think that aspartame may affect neurotransmitter production.[35][36]

[37] They think that even a moderate spike in blood plasma

phenylalanine levels from typical ingestion may have adverse

consequences in long-term use. They are especially concerned that the

phenylalanine can be concentrated in fetal brains to a potentially

neurotoxic level.[38][39] However, other scientists think that a rise

in blood plasma phenylalanine is negligible in typical use of

aspartame[40] and their studies show no significant effects on

neurotransmitter levels in the brain or changes in seizure thresholds.

[41][42][43] In addition, they say that proven adverse effects of

phenylalanine on fetuses has only been seen when blood phenylalanine

levels stay at high levels as opposed to occasionally being spiked to

high levels.[44]

An alternative sweetener, neotame, has been developed apparently

to solve the phenylalanine problem said to be associated with

aspartame.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Sponsored by iHerb.Com

| Herbs & Supplements:

Phenylalanine

Supplement Forms/Alternate Names:

• D-Phenylalanine; DL-Phenylalanine; L-Phenylalanine

Principal Proposed Uses

• Depression

Other Proposed Uses

• Attention Deficit Disorder; Multiple Sclerosis; Parkinson's

Disease; Pain (In General); Rheumatoid Arthritis; Vitiligo

Page Navigation

Requirements/Sources

Therapeutic Dosages

Therapeutic Uses

What Is the Scientific Evidence for Phenylalanine?

Safety Issues

Interactions You Should Know About

References

Phenylalanine occurs in two chemical forms: L-phenylalanine, a

natural amino acid found in proteins; and its mirror image, D-

phenylalanine, a form synthesized in a laboratory. Some research has

involved the L-form, others the D-form, and still others a

combination of the two known as DL-phenylalanine.

In the body, phenylalanine is converted into another amino acid

called tyrosine. Tyrosine in turn is converted into L-dopa,

norepinephrine, and epinephrine, three key neurotransmitters

(chemicals that transmit signals between nerve cells). Because some

antidepressants work by raising levels of norepinephrine, various

forms of phenylalanine have been tried as a possible treatment for

depression.

D-phenylalanine (but not L-phenylalanine) has been proposed to treat

chronic pain. It blocks enkephalinase, an enzyme that may act to

increase pain levels in the body.

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2502388

1: Epilepsy Res. 1989 Jul-Aug;4(1):1-7. Links

Lack of effect of aspartame or of L-phenylalanine on photically

induced myoclonus in the baboon, Papio papio.Meldrum BS, Nanji N,

Cornell RG.

Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park,

Denmark Hill, London, U.K.

The effects of large doses of L-phenylalanine and of aspartame on

seizure susceptibility and severity have been assessed in baboons

Papio papio from Senegal which show photosensitive epileptic

responses similar to primary generalised epilepsy in man. L-

Phenylalanine, 50, 150 or 450 mg/kg, or aspartame, 300 or 1000 mg/kg,

were administered orally. Peak plasma L-phenylalanine concentrations

of approximately 2000 mumoles/l occurred 1-4 h after the highest dose

of L-phenylalanine or aspartame. The plasma L-phenylalanine to large

neutral amino acid ratio increased approximately 30-fold at this

time. Compared with water administration there were no changes in

epileptic responses 1-5 h after either treatment. In this primate

model of epilepsy acute increases in plasma phenylalanine

concentration are neither pro- nor anticonvulsant.

PMID: 2502388 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

_____________________________________________________________________

> > Isn't phenylalanine the same as aspartame? My daughter and I both

> > have many side effect from ingesting aspartame. I know it's a food

> > that's why it's in so many products and I do know that there are

> > health risks from taking aspartame.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi -

I also live in Colorado - in Beulah, which is about 25 miles sw of Pueblo!!!

I'm glad that you are getting adequate pain relief through a pain specialist.

Having to suffer and live in pain is no fun, and no way to live.

I currently am on Percocet only. I was on Arava for 2 months with no benefit,

and now am being switched to Humira also. The problem is that I was supposed to

start the Humira about 4 weeks ago and it has been delayed due to surgery,

stiches, a bad cold, and now a sinus infection! It's almost like something is

trying to prevent me from starting the Humira! I hope your facet injections do

help you! If you want to you can e-mail me privately you can, and maybe we can

meet up some time at the outlet shops!!!!

Donna, Colorado

>

> Hello everyone,

> I wrote a few months ago about severe ankle pain and swelling. After taking

prednisone for a few weeks, I'm currently on Humira once a week dose, raised my

methotrexate, and started taking narcotic pain medicine. I take other meds as

well for sleep, tense muscles (PRN), dry mouth, etc. I have RA, fibro,

sjogren's, raynauds, a neck fusion because of RA, depression and anxiety. One

thing I'm learning is that I don't have to live in pain. I went to a pain

specialist and explained that I need adequate pain relief. I have come to

realize that a pain specialist is there to address the pain much more so than my

rheumy, and that my primary care is also a better source for that. I'm going to

have multiple facet joint injection in my cervical spine again. I had a radio

frequency oblation which didn't work for me. I want to extend my gratitude to

everyone on this list. You have been a source of comfort, information, and

support throughout the day. I live in Castle Rock, Colorado. Diagnosed RA and

fibro 13 years, 47 years old.

>

> G.

>