Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Jun 2017
Case ReportsPain Management of Malignant Psoas Syndrome Under Epidural Analgesia During Palliative Radiotherapy.
Malignant psoas syndrome is a rare malignant condition presenting as lumbosacral plexopathy and painful fixed flexion of the hip. Metastasis to the psoas muscle is observed, which damages the nerve bundles in the lumbosacral plexuses. The syndrome presents as refractory lower back pain with several other neurological symptoms. ⋯ By epidural analgesia, he could remain in supine position and complete radiotherapy without increasing opioid administration. His back pain was improved after the radiotherapy. Epidural analgesia is an effective treatment choice for a patient who is unable to keep the position during palliative radiotherapy.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Jun 2017
Conversations on Dying: A Palliative Care Pioneer Faces His Own Death.
Editor's Note The journal is delighted to continue a collaboration with the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC) in publication of book reviews relevant to symptom control in advanced disease. These reviews are adapted from the work of Roger Woodruff, MD, FRACP, FAChPM, an internationally recognized oncologist and palliative care specialist physician from Australia. Dr. Woodruff's reviews appear concurrently or did so previously in the IAHPC Newsletter, which is accessible through the IAHPC Web site: http://hospicecare.com .
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Palliative care provides holistic care to individuals in life-threatening or life-limiting conditions. This narrative describes the journey of Kanchan. A strong lady and a doting mother, she came to the hospital by choice, in immense pain and with swelling. ⋯ Kanchan was able to benefit from physiotherapy to reduce the risk of lymphoedema after surgery for breast cancer. Her narrative illustrates how she found comfort and relief, ably supported by the dedicated hospital team. Although a chance encounter led her to the hospital, her story emphasizes the need for greater awareness about palliative services to ensure early intervention.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Jun 2017
Ischemic Ulcer Pain Is Both Nociceptive and Neuropathic Pain Based on a Discriminant Function Analysis Using the McGill Pain Questionnaire.
The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) is composed of 78 words reflecting the mechanisms underlying chronic pain conditions. Ischemic ulcer pain is generally regarded as a nociceptive and inflammatory pain condition. However, it is sometimes refractory to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and opioid treatment. ⋯ On the basis of this function, 9 of the 18 ischemic pain patients' complaints were classified as NeP. Ten patients received revascularization and after revascularization, 7 of 10 patients' complaints were still NeP. Our results suggest that ischemic ulcer pain should be regarded as a mixed pain condition composed of both NocP and NeP and that it might be treated with medications for NeP (e.g., pregabalin, duloxetine) in combination with NSAIDs and opioids.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Jun 2017
Editorial Historical ArticleMedical Cannabis for Pain: Anecdote or Evidence.