There are three forms of chronic pain: nociceptive (damaged tissues), neuropathic (damaged nerves) and nociplastic which is a newer designation and refers to a process of sensitization – where the nerves send pain signals even though the damaged nerves or damaged tissue has healed. I have tried the usual – and little works. Nardil, an MAO inhibitor, worked but made me psychotic. And I may try Journavx, a new nonopioid drug recently FDA approved (but for acute pain). Any other ideas???
1 Like
There’s a company in the Bay Area called Attune Neuroscience running a clinical trial of focused ultrasound for chronic pain treatment. https://www.attuneneuro.com/
2 Likes
Do you have a theory about which one of the three chronic pain types you’re struggling with?
It’s clearly a form of nociplastic (sensitization) pain. I am currently taking Namenda for it. Namenda has worked in the past, but not recently.
1 Like
I had excruciating pain in my knee, out of the blue. Weeks went by and nothing would move it. I thought I was really messed up.
My (excellent) physical therapist did a full assessment, finally coming to a diagnosis of what you’re describing, sensitization (nociplastic) pain. He had me lightly scratch the area while watching it, saying it could help reprogram my brain.
I thought this was unlikely to work, to put it mildly. Sounded utterly absurd.
But to my amazement it actually worked. Not just once, but repeatedly, on both knees. Every time the pain arises again (not always the same), I do it again, and after a few days, the pain goes away. I continue to be astonished.
Has anyone suggested anything like that to you? A desensitization process?
1 Like
That blows my mind. Although it makes intuitive sense.
My pain is in my butt. I had a steroid injection that made the pain worse.
Any sourcing you can provide? And what does “watching” it have to do with it?
2 Likes
Blows my mind, too, Every time it works I am again astonished.
How i understand this, and I’m a layperson here, is that the idea about watching is that your brain is rewiring, re-understanding that this part of you actually isn’t damaged, which somehow it thought it was. I see it as me demonstrating: see, it’s fine, you can even scratch it and there’s no injury here.
I imagine my brain going, ohhhhh, it IS fine. I’ll stop sending pain signals then.
It might be worth a simple, free trial: get a mirror, scratch the area gently (it shouldn’t hurt), and watch. Try that for some days to a week, and see if it does the same magic for you that it did for me. What have you got to lose?
1 Like
This tracks!!! It was just this week that my voodoo PT said not to say ‘I have bad knees’…he said just say that made my knee hurt.
It’s all about the brain, yada yada yada.
My eyes rolled so hard at him they almost fell out of my head, but alas, I realize he is probably correct because the darned witch doctor always knows!
@Bruce4654 reminding you he shared a source for voodoo pts near you 
PT has never helped me. It just aggravates the pain. And when it comes down to one PT’s technique, it is no longer science. Remember I told you about Victor – the “hands-on healer”? You yourself use the term voodoo, suggesting it’s anyone’s guess.
But I have had chronic pain for 30 years (this is a new episode). I am at this phase trying pharmacological. But thank you.
2 Likes
It’s worth a try.
Thank you.
2 Likes
I’ve heard good reviews for the book “Back Mechanic”, though I’m not sure how relevant what’s taught and the advice there there would be in your case, it might be worth a shot, here’s a thread about it here with a podcast from the author: Lower back pain: causes, treatment and prevention though the book is better.
Thank you. I will review the video.
How do you scratch it? With what?
Just with my fingernails. It’s just a sensation and visual.
Very interesting! I’ll definitely try.
1 Like
I foun this helpful: “Unlearn Your Pain”, Howard Schubiner, fourth edition Perfect Paperback
1 Like
I will take a look. Thank you.
I’ve been experimenting with topical DMSO lately. It definitely helps with pain, but I only have muscle aches and the like from playing pickleball and tennis. It may be worth a try, unless, of course, the scratching/watching thing works well.
Duloxetine is a medication used to manage major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), fibromyalgia, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, BUT it is also widely used for chronic musculoskeletal pain .
1 Like
Didn’t work on me. I don’t have chronic pain though but was dealing with stinging pain and itching after being stung by ground wasps. It resolved by itself after a few days. Nothing helped besides ice.
2 Likes