Hi Dr. Landolfi;
Here is the next question from the group. First though, I want to pass on the sincere "thanks" expressed by many of the group members for your assistance.
This week, I am going to ask you ask you about post tumor pain, and treatment for it. One person in particular had a spinal tumor removed (C-5), and is on a daily pain medicines. It has been noticed that the intensity of the pain increases with stress, too much physical activity, cold weather, and other things. Is this pain to last forever? And, what medication or therapy might be prescribed in this situation (that is known to work)?
Thank you (as always)
Bruce
The doctor's response...
There are various pain syndromes. Patients may develop headache, particularly migraine, after craniotomy. Spine tumor patients develop neuropathic type pain. This is typically a constant burning type pain. they can also develop neuralgia or radiculopathy ( sharp shooting pain). Neuropathic constant burning pain is best treated with medications like elavil or pamelor at low dose (anti depressants). They also treat migraine. Neuralgia pain is best treated with anticonvulsants like tegretol, topomax, neurontin. Sometimes these work for neuropathic pain as well. A new medicine called lyrica is approved for a certain type of neuropathic pain but can be tried in all.
(I will be away until the 24th of april so I won't be around next week to answer a question. home improvement time.)
Dr. Landolfi