Guest guest Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Dee – I am glad that you recovered from the Bells Palsy. I knew someone who had it and it took him a long time for him to get better. It is a very strange condition – he just woke up with it one morning. nne From: VulvarDisorders [mailto:VulvarDisorders ] On Behalf Of Dee Troll Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2008 4:37 PM To: VulvarDisorders Subject: Re: Dee's email to neuropathic pain/slides You're more than welcome hon. I was given Ativan when I had Bells Palsy.. I still wonder why, *smile*... but the doctor said just to relax me more than anything... and I really wasn't hyper about it (more PO'd with looking like Quasi Moto with the whole half of the face just totally sagging as it causes loss of all the nerves that control the muscles)... it was wonderful for helping me sleep and to have a sort of 'Oh well attitude' *grin*..but for me I only needed 1/4th to 1/2 of the tablet. I think I slept 14 hrs the first time on a full pill. (but I go 'out' easy on most things) I still have about 3/4ths of them left and that was probably 8 years ago *grin* so I sure didn't get addicted, LOL but I like keeping them around as a 'just in case' thing. (and yes they're still good and can keep up to 20 some years if kept out of humidity and in the dark.. I can't say I had pain with it so no idea if it helps that but apparently it does and it makes sense too as to why. Good luck hon, Dee ~ ----- Original Message ----- From: Mace To: VulvarDisorders Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2008 10:35 AM Subject: Re: Dee's email to neuropathic pain/slides Dee, you are awesome! Thank you. Maybe this is another thing I should try. Love, > > HI nne, so glad to hear the Ativan helped so fast for you. > Maybe this will help explain how the benzodiazepine, Ativan, works. > (on the gaba receptors like Gabapentin) > > Dee > ================================= > > Scientists Identify Mechanism for Chronic Pain Relief > Posted by admin in January 27th 2008 > Pain Therapy Tags: Benzodiazepines, Brain Receptors, Nerve Cells, Pain Therapy, Spinal Cord Pain > Some of the specific receptors located in our skin, joints, and other internal organs are responsible for sensing the painful stimuli in our bodies. Receptive signals are relayed by these specialized nerve fibers relay which are generated at the periphery of the brain. Here the pain turns in to conscious stage. Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer, Professor at the `Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences' at ETH Zurich, and at the `Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology' of the `University of Zurich' > The spinal cord is placed at such a position that works as a pain filter. It assures that the pain is not felt just by feeble stimuli like touching. The `inhibitory nerve cells' that are located in the spinal dorsal horn perform this function. The spinal dorsal horn releases the' molecule-amino butyric acid (GABA)'at the points of contacts between the specialized nerve cells. It is also called the " synapses " .GABA subsequently causes activation in the chloride channels over these cells and these nerve cells then start relaying the `pain signals' to the brain. > This inhibiting action of GABA gets substantially suppressed in case of the presence of a chronic inflammatory disease like the `rheumatoid arthritis' or the stage of nerve damage by any type of injury. In such a situation the brain starts receiving unfiltered pain signals. > Benzodiazepine like valium, the sedative drug, stimulates the activity of GABA and helps in reducing the acute pain. It acts when the drug is supplemented directly in to the spinal cord with an injection in to the spinal canal. However such treatment is very much specific. > Benzodiazepines are generally prescribed and administered systemically in tablet form. It makes an impact in the spinal cord and also in the brain and could cause some adverse effects for the patients. The drugs cause sedation, impair memory, and can even lead to addiction. It has also been observed that the prolonged use of this drug develops immunity with time. Scientists therefore generally advise to avoid this medication in chronic pain conditions. > Although the importance of GABA as a potential function has long been known in the pain control but the study made by Ulritch Zeilhofer has researched out that there are four different sub-types of GABA on which the benzodiazepines act. These receptors though known, but were almost neglected till recently as a potential targets for pain treatments. > Ulritch Zeilhofer's research team could identify two distinct sub-types of GABAA receptors that play a role of mediator in the spinal pain control. Results of various experiments conducted revealed that " the pharmacological enhancement of spinal GABA receptor function inhibits the relay of pain signals to the brain " . > > Researchers feel that designing a drug that specifically address the two sub-types of GABAA receptors will be a big leap in the pain therapy. If this happens in near future then it will be possible to treat chronic pain with minimum or no side effects. " The challenge is now for pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs that specifically target these receptors in humans " , says Ulritch Zeilhofer. > SOURCE: > > http://www.healthpm.com/scientists-identify-mechanism-for-chronic-pain-relief.html > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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