Newsletter Archive - Autumn 2003

Hot News

All the latest to buy, think about and log on to

Cannabis Update

A pain-relieving cannabis spray called Sativex could be available in the UK by the end of this year. Clinical trials show that cannabis can relieve chronic pain for many people especially those suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) and nerve injuries. It may in the future also be useful for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and epilepsy. The tests for the product are in the last stage of drug evaluation before approval and show that cannabis-based medicine significantly reduces pain. The drug is sprayed in a controlled dose under the tongue where it is absorbed straight into the bloodstream, taking effect within 30 minutes. Dr Notcutt, head of the James Paget Hospital in Norfolk where some of the trials are taking place says that the spray not only relieves pain it also offers patients a far greater quality of life and if used at night ‘suddenly sufferers have a decent night's sleep'. Website: www.gwpharm.com/cann_index.html

Pain Relief Cream

PainSupporter Tracy (Tracy has Trigeminal Neuralgia) wrote to me about her pain relief discovery. Tracy wrote, "Dear Jan, "Thank you for all your e-mail's of support. Just thought I would bring to your attention this wonderful cream called Zostrix HP that is used for chronic pain in the USA. It's available here in the UK on prescription. It has made my life so much easier. It's available to people who have Arthritis and Neuralgia. I put the cream on my face, on the trigger points and where you actually get your pain. The cream feels hot, I use the 0.75HP one, but you can get a milder 0.25 strength, I found it very hot to start with, but after 10 days the burning stops. Just wanted to let you know, it's made my life so much better for now. Please if possible could you let people know about it, it's amazing. Many thanks. Tracy A." This cream contains capsaicin which is an active compound found in chillies. For centuries, capsaicin has been used as a remedy for pain and scientists have now discovered how and why it works. It has been successfully used to control pain in rheumatoid arthritis, neuralgia, sciatica, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy and other neuropathic pains. Even cluster headaches can apparently be prevented by repeated application of capsaicin to the mucous membranes in the nose. It appears to offer one of the most promising remedies for pain relief of localised pain syndromes. Please note that patients using Zostrix HP cream for the treatment of painful diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy (damage to the nerves to the limbs) should do so under the direct supervision of a physician.

Office Equipment and Stationery - home delivery service

Jan Morris, a PainSupporter in Kent, England, wrote to PainSupport recently saying, "I have just bought myself a very comfy operator's chair and a better computer table. My son roared me off to Canterbury in my car to Staples. On arriving there I said that I wanted desk with a hole in the middle, cut out at the bottom. They were very helpful indeed and so at last I can be comfortable whilst at my computer which has made a world of difference. They will also deliver goods and they do a mail order service too. I hope this tip will help some as much as it has helped me. I live out in the country so mail order is very helpful particularly as I am unable to drive for the moment." For a catalogue dial the following number 0800 14 15 16 or 0800 14 14 14 Staples' Website: http://www.staples.co.uk/ENG/Catalog/stap_home.asp

Glucosamine Skin Patch for Stiff Joints

Research shows glucosamine sulphate - a basic building block in cartilage tissue - can combat pain caused by the natural wear of joints. The glucosamine gel patch gives a sustained release through the skin. The glucosamine is combined with the cooling effect of menthol and anti-inflammatory properties of horse chestnut. The patch can be worn day or night on most parts of the body, back, elbow, foot, knee, etc. The research found that volunteers who took glucosamine pills for three years halted the progress of their osteoarthritis. The patch is available in boxes of five, priced at £7.99 from chemists/pharmacists. http://www.worldwideshoppingmall.co.uk/body-soul/glucosamine-gel-patch.asp

On the Other Hand… a Cheaper Glucosamine

Glucosamine has been proved to help with joint function. However, many glucosamine sulphate supplements are quite expensive, especially as they need to be taken for a long time for results to be felt. There isn't a food source that provides it in high enough dosages to give any noticeable effect so many people choose to switch to glucosamine hydrochloride which appears to be better absorbed than the sulphate form. Also you only need take one tablet a day instead of the usual three. So you could try this type of glucosamine and see for yourself it it makes any difference to any stiff, worn joints. Try Higher Nature's glucosamine hydrochloride, £5.20 for 30 tablets. Tel: 01435 884 666 Website: www.highernature.co.uk

Do you have DDD? Degenerative Disc Disease

Traci, a PainSupport member, wrote to tell me that she built a website to distract herself from her pain. Distraction is a brilliant technique for diverting your attention away from the pain. Traci has built a lovely website and included a very informative page about DDD giving all the information she wishes she had had before her first surgery. Kitty's DDD Page: DDD Page Home page: www.geocities.com/kittysanders2003

Help with Computer Problems

A PainSupport member has given me the addresses of some useful sites for help with those awkward computer problems we all get from time to time. A free download from Eudora (top righthand side of their home page) - who say they are the best email program for people who receive lots of mail: http://www.eudora.com MailWasher - a free download to check emails for viruses: www.mailwasher.net To protect your computer from hackers and 'worms' a firewall is a must - a free download can be had from: www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp or www.firetrust.com/products/benign/ If you don't already have it, some anti-virus protection is paramount. Free to private users is: www.grisoft.com or www.pcpitstop.com or http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk NB with PCAdvisor you need to register and log on with your email address and a 'nickname ' you've invented – it's surprising how many are characters from The Hobbits!

Find a Specialist - The Dr Foster Good Consultant Guide

This is an invaluable new book written to help you with your medical consultations. The book is broken into sections, dealing with different conditions. An overview of the condition is given and the best people to treat it. A specialist writes a short essay on each condition. The book also gives a guide to the questions that need to be asked when you are at the appointment. ‘The Dr Foster Good Consultant Guide' costs £12.99 but your local library should have a copy, or try the on-line version: www.drfoster.co.uk

Migraine Misery?

As sufferers well know, migraines can bring the strongest person to a full stop. They are caused by abnormal dilation and contraction of blood vessels in the head that can also cause temporary disturbance to vision. To overcome migraine, many people find a B50 complex containing vitamin B2 useful, and also the herb feverfew have been found to be helpful by some. Other say they have far fewer migraines with a daily supplement of 150mg of CoQ10. You could also try the gentle and soothing roll-on stick treatment based on aromatherapy essential oils sweet basil and peppermint. It can be obtained from 01526 832 491. The herb butterbur is a classic remedy for migraine, available from Linpharma. Call 01506 848649 www.linpharma.com

PainSupport Contact Club

Recently I received an email from a Lorraine, a member of the PainSupport Contact Club, saying, "Hi Jan "I thought I would just write to you to let you know about a friend I met on your contact list last October. We started writing, and instantly clicked with each other, and our friendship became very close when I was taken into hospital last Christmas. I have suffered with back problems for the last 11 years (I'm 35) and my friend suffers from DDD and Spinal Stenois and is a similar age. We both have a husband and two children. My friend has been my rock over the last year and having her to talk to has given me so much support. I hope I am as supportive to her as she has been for me. We talk regularly on the phone and have even visited each other, (we live about 2 hours apart) and we are always there for each other if the going gets a bit rough or we just want a laugh and a chat. "I would just like to thank you for introducing us to each other. Without your site we would never have met and I'm sure that my friend would agree that we have become so much stronger mentally by being able to talk to each other about our illnesses and the problems they bring with it. We both have other good friends that we can rely on but it is so different when you are both able to relate to each others dilemmas and difficulties either with pain or with life itself. We thank you and hope that other people will take the incentive to contact someone on the list they feel compatible with. It has certainly secured our friendship forever." If you aren't already a member and would like to find some new friends you may like to consider joining our extraordinarily successful Contact Club. There are lots of lovely people out there who just happen to have pain in their lives but who are determined to make the most of things despite it all. YOU have much to offer them, and they have much to offer YOU. Ease the pain by sharing life's ups and downs with those who understand. How to access the Contact Club... Click Main Menu on the left. Click Making Contact Click Contact Club. You will then see "Wish to Join the Contact Club?" Click where it says 'Please click here to Register' and complete the brief registration form.

Top Tip for Trolleys – or Control that Cart!

If you find pushing shopping trolleys (carts) a real ‘pain in the back' it is because of the twisting movements you have to make in the struggle to wrestle the trolley in the direction you want to go and not in the direction it wants to go, here's the answer. It's so simple you'll wonder why you haven't done it before - walk beside your trolley with just one hand holding it close against your hip. It will glide along without a whimper of an argument with you!

Books Recommendations

We have two different types of books, the first set are about pain relief and the connection between the mind and the body. The last book is an unusual diet said to dramatically improve your general health. PainSupport member Andrea tells me, "I don't know whether you have heard of Dr John E Sarno or whether any of your readers have read his books but I have found them very interesting and useful. Two popular ones are "Healing Back Pain" and "The Mind Body Prescription (Healing the Body, Healing the Pain)." PainSupport member Janet says she has improved her health dramatically by changing her diet to suit her blood type. Apparently different blood types benefit from eating or avoiding certain foods. A controversial theory with no clinical trials, but Janet is a glowing example of its benefits. A book describing the diet is called Eat For Your Type, by Peter J. D'Adamo A website gives further information for anyone who is interested: www.dadamo.com NB I should sound a note of caution here, please don't embark upon an extreme or unusual diet without consulting your doctor. It can be unhealthy in the long term to exclude a large range of food from your diet. If you would like to order these books or any other, there is a link direct to Amazon's secure website below. Search: All Products Books DVD & Video Popular Music Classical Music Software PC and Video Games Keywords:

Medical Test Information

Having any kind of medical test or examination can cause anxiety and worry but now the BBC have prepared some web pages on the most common procedures so that you can at least be prepared before you go! It doesn't cover back operations and treatments as such but does cover CT, MRI scans, blood tests and many other test you may have to go through. They explain the procedures and suggest some possible questions you may wish to ask. www.bbc.co.uk/health/talking/tests/

Other Websites from PainSupport Members

Very many thanks to the PainSupport members who wrote in with their recommendations. Links to Information and Support Groups Disease-Resources provides many useful links to support groups, information, etc. www.disease-resources.com/ Supplement Heaven! Hansa in Guernsey sell VAT free, post and packing free top leading brand supplements. Brands such as Solgar, Bioforce, Green People, etc. etc. Telephone: 01481 701 479 Email: Write to Hansa for catalogue Fibromyalgia The National Fibromyalgia Association is a nonprofit organization working to help improve the quality of life for people affected by fibromyalgia. For more information on fibromyalgia visit their web site: www.FMaware.org To receive the NFA's national magazine ‘Fibromyalgia AWARE', go to www.fmaware.org/newsletter.htm

How You can Help PainSupport

You can now order not only any book, audiotape, video and games, via our direct link to the Amazon Book site but also many electrical goods. Amazon has, of course, secure trading facilities. Goods ordered from Amazon are usually very much cheaper than in the shops AND you will be helping towards the cost of keeping PainSUPPORT up and running as we will receive a small commission on any books you order! So, any time you want to buy a book, tape or game, etc. for either yourself or as a present, do please think or ordering through the PainSUPPORT link to Amazon which you can find on the Books and Tapes page of the website or use the one below. Search: All Products Books DVD & Video Popular Music Classical Music Software PC and Video Games Keywords:

The PainSupport Newsletter

Good luck to everyone - and keep your Feel-Good and Hot News tips coming in, your tip could be just the thing someone else has been seeking for years. Jan Sadler, Founder of the PainSUPPORT website If you haven't already registered and would like to be notified when the next newsletter is published on-line (all for free, of course), just let me know (link below). By signing up you also receive free regular email newsletters with pain relief tips, inspirational stories, etc. Contact Us. Autumn 2003

You may print any of the above FeelGood Factors, Hot News items, or the Articles in this Newsletter for your own private use but if you wish to use all or part of them for any other reason, please ask first. Copyright belongs to Jan Sadler.