The Best Medication for Central Pain Syndrome Relief
- Possible causes of central pain syndrome, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), include traumatic injury to the brain or spinal cord; Parkinson's disease; both benign and malignant tumors; multiple sclerosis; and epilepsy. If you have central pain syndrome, the nature of the pain you experience is likely to be dictated by the specific cause of the syndrome. While some people complain of widespread, systemic pain, according to the NINDS, others report discomfort confined to particular body parts, such as the feet or hands. However, regardless of the area in which the pain is experienced, it is generally constant, although it can vary in intensity from moderate to severe.
- Www.PainOnline.org contends that diagnosis of central pain syndrome "is one of the easiest in medicine." PainOnline suggests using Bowsher's criteria, first outlined by David Bowsher, M.D., in an article in a 1990 issue of the American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine. Bowsher's three criteria are a burning pain triggered by a light touch but not deep pressure; a sensation of cold as a component of the pain; and a worsening of the pain caused by the touch or friction of clothing.
- Because there is not yet a cure for central pain syndrome, treatment consists largely of medications to relieve the constant pain that is its primary symptom. The best medication for you may not necessarily be the best for another patient with the syndrome, because the causes of the disorder and the nature of its pain vary from patient to patient. To find the medication that is best for you, work closely with your doctor or pain management specialist to narrow your search through trial and error.
The NINDS reports that pain medications provide some---but not complete---relief from the syndrome's constant pain. Although narcotic painkillers are the most effective, they are strongly addictive, and you should weigh the benefits of using them against the potential drawbacks. The NINDS reports that some patients have found relief through the use of such anticonvulsants as Neurontin (gabapentin) and tricyclic antidepressants, such as nortriptyline.
In a chapter of 2009's Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation, Fatemeh Milani reported disappointing results in the search for an analgesic medication to relieve the symptoms of central pain syndrome caused by stroke. Modest relief was obtained through the use of the tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants cited earlier.
