I’ve had a few issues with Australia’s Take Home Naloxone program, most specifically the way it has been marketed. The constant implication is that chronic pain patients on long term opioid therapy are in need of naloxone because they are overdosing left right and centre
This article was shared by Chronic Pain Australia, the consumer voice for Australian’s living with chronic pain, as part of National Pain Week. https://www.australianpharmacist.com.au/breaking-the-vicious-cycle-of-chronic-pain/ It quotes the President of Chronic Pain Australia, Nicolette Ellis, an advanced practice pharmacist, discussing the results of the National Pain… Read More »“Life is a misery” for chronic pain patients force tapered off opioids
In my many years working as a patient advocate, in the area of chronic pain, I have seen and heard a lot of…garbage. People talk a lot of garbage, and pain science seems to attract a lot of garbage science. And yes, garbage scientists. It… Read More »People on long term opioid therapy are ‘irrational’ and unable to engage in shared decision making, according to Dr Mark Sullivan
I have been working as a patient advocate in chronic pain for many years. As I have learned about chronic pain, the science, and the neuroscience of pain, I have realised that a huge part of the problem, and a reason for the untreated pain… Read More »Chronic Primary Pain vs Chronic Secondary Pain – what is the difference?
In recent years, as part of the fear campaign against the use of opioids in pain management, there has been a push to use less, or even no, opioids for pain relief post- surgery. Non-opioid medications, such as paracetamol (Tylenol) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are being… Read More »Opioid Reduction Strategy Backfires – reduced opioid use during surgery leads to increased opioid use and increased rates of chronic pain
Today in the media, I see a story on opioids and back and neck pain titled Opioids don’t help acute back and neck pain – and could be harmful, Australian research finds. Here’s the study summary the article refers to in the Lancetand I finally… Read More »Opioids and Back and Neck Pain: OPAL Study – Exposing Biased, Flawed Research and Misleading Claims
Chronic pain is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Chronic Pain is defined as pain that occurs every day (or most days) and persists for three months or longer. Some types of chronic pain have a structural cause, for example a disease… Read More »Chronic Pain Overview
Study: Reducing Opioid Use for Chronic Pain With a Group-Based Intervention. A Randomized Clinical Trial Ok, so here we go again. Another study, making headlines, where the researchers are making claims that their own study does NOT support. The study’s authors are misrepresenting their results,… Read More »People can taper off opioids without increasing pain. Except that’s a lie.
If you’re living with chronic pain, it’s very likely your GP will recommend you see a Pain Management Specialist to optimise your care. Many people are excited at the prospect of seeing a specialist doctor who can diagnose, treat and manage chronic pain, but the… Read More »How to Prepare for your first pain management specialist appointment