RE: , TENS

[Guest guest]

>

>Hi Jang,

>>>>>The grandchildren must be a real blessing-we are expecting our first! We

are so excited!

>>>>

>>>>, Grandchildren are among the few things in life that are even

better than you expect. I'm not a terribly child-oriented person, so I knew I

would love the grandkids, but never expected the depth of feelings. Pow! You

look into that little face & that's it.

My first grandchild was born 1 month before Hurricane came roaring by.

We were all together during the storm. Everyone else fell asleep, but

spent that night in my arms. The bonding was even faster & stronger than with

my own children.

>I too manage to work for the time being. I am back part time for a

while. I am planning on going back after the first of the year full

time. We'll see how it goes. Right now the tpn is an issue, although I can

work around it. The constant pain is my biggest problem. How does one get

through it?

Good question. I use a Duragesic patch & work while it is in place. I have not

worked or driven aa car while using narcotics for the breakthrough pain. I

think the pain is more disabling than the drugs, but I'm afraid to work or drive

if I've had a recent dose of the short-acting narcotic. I'm afraid its like the

person who drinks a 6-pack & says he's not affected. I'm afraid the drugs might

slow down my thinking or responses without me realizing it. I've had a lot of

absences from work due to pain; we'll see how much longer the frequent absences

will be tolerated.

>What is a TENS unit? I need to find someone to help me with pain

management.

A pain management center is really helpful. Try to find one that can give you

several options.

TENS unit = Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

I found this info at a pain management site on-line: " Evidence is accumulating

that TENS acts by increasing CSF levels of beta-endorphins, together with

activating of the " pain gate " by counter irritation. "

In 1965, Dr. Ron Melzack and Dr Wall developed the gate control theory

of pain. This theory states that painful stimuli are carried by small diameter,

fast conducting fibers through " gates " in the spinal cord to the brain. The

theory lead to treatments that looked at closing the gate with other stimuli.

These treatments include acupuncture, TENS, and spinal cord stimulation. "

Take a look at this site:

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro99/web3/Kinser.html

>I mean, a good day is fine and I appreciate them, but they don;t come around

often enough-I am finding out with this disease that you are absolutely

right-nothing makes any difference.

I think some things DO make a difference. I think taking enzymes, avoiding

fatty foods & alcohol help. Taking pain meds early in a flare-up also helps to

get the pain managable; waiting too long in an attack to take pain meds makes it

harder to overcome the stronger pain. I do agree though, nothing seems able to

prevent some degree of pain.

>It seems as if it is all a tradeoff with pancreatitis.

I hate to tell you, but in medicine, every drug has a drawback. Every drug or

treatment has a negative effect to weigh against a positive effect. Its all a

balancing act. Example: Say you have a headache, Take Tylenol & risk liver

injury. Take aspirin & risk bleeding ulcers. It seems that you always have to

consider if the hoped-for gain outweighs the possibe injury. Kind of makes you

wish for the bad old days when you didn't know anything & just relied on the

family doctor - NOT!

>I am still not dealing real well with that reality. I think somewhere in the

back of my head I am sure it will go away. ....well, I guess that doesn't hurt

anything, huh?

Queen of denile?? Lots of us trying for that title. As long as you do whatever

is possible to do to keep this disease under control, I can't see the harm in

denial & hope.

>How often do you end up in the ER? How long does an attack last? do you end

up in the hospital most of the time or do they treat in the

ER and send you home?

Since using the Duragesic patch, OXY IR for breakthrough pain, Stadol nasal

spray for REALLY severe unrelieved pain, I've only needed the ER once or twice a

year. If the pain breaks after a couple of doses of Demerol, I go home. If

not, I'll be in for a few days. I've been more fortunate than many in this

group to have avoided long hospital stays and major surgery.

Sorry to have taken so long to get back to you . Hope you're having a

comfortable day with many good days ahead.

jang

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