Information and opinions on ChronicPainConnection from John Claude Krusz, PhD, MD http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/18302 en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/ http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/18302/21040/expert Mon Mar 03 08:00:00 -0500 2008 John Claude Krusz, PhD, MD Do you have questions about chronic pain? Since many of our readers do, each month I will answer a few of them. Here are this month's questions and answers... 1. Corticosteroids for fibromyalgia? Full question and answer. 2. Scoliosis from a spinal injury? Full question and answer. 3. Why doesn’t ER take pain seriously? Full question and answer. 4. Help for spinal arachnoiditis? Full question and answer. 5. Therapies... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/18302/21040/expert http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/18302/21039/3308-5 Mon Mar 03 07:46:00 -0500 2008 John Claude Krusz, PhD, MD Full Question:I suffer with severe piriformis syndrome.  I have had the steroid injections, physical therapy, etc. but nothing has worked.  Are there any other therapies for this? – RKGAnswer:Dear RKG:Sometimes, I use Botox/Myobloc injections for this painful syndrome. In addition, intravenous lidocaine, ketamine, propofol, and magnesium sulfate can be useful for flareups of this condition.  So, from my point of view, there... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/18302/21039/3308-5 http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/18302/21038/3308-4 Mon Mar 03 07:39:00 -0500 2008 John Claude Krusz, PhD, MD Full Question:I was diagnosed with spinal arachnoiditis a year and a half ago.  I have excruciating pain!  What can you tell me about this disorder? – NicolettiAnswer:Dear Nicoletti:I’m certain you can look up more information on arachnoiditis than I can put into this answer.   Suffice it to say that arachnoiditis is painful and sometimes very difficult to treat.  We use some intravenous treatment strategies... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/18302/21038/3308-4 http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/18302/21037/3308-3-er Mon Mar 03 07:33:00 -0500 2008 John Claude Krusz, PhD, MD Full Question:Why doesn’t the emergency room take chronic pain issues seriously?  They make me feel like a worthless drug addict! – Kristi Answer: Dear Kristi:One thing to understand is that the mission of the emergency room is to not miss life threatening diseases or problems.  That puts pain and headache fairly low in the priority list for their attention.  I’m sure that is not want you want to hear... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/18302/21037/3308-3-er http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/18302/21036/3308-2 Mon Mar 03 07:27:00 -0500 2008 John Claude Krusz, PhD, MD Full Question:Can scolioisis be created from a spinal injury? – TammyDear Tammy:Any spinal injury can leave a person with a predisposition to develop scoliosis. Many scoliosis problems can be familial and made worse by injuries of all kinds. I would seek a local scoliosis expert for more succinct advice.  Good luck in your search for answers. John Claude Krusz  About Ask the Expert:Dr. Krusz is a world recognized pain... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/18302/21036/3308-2 http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/18302/21035/3308-1 Mon Mar 03 07:19:00 -0500 2008 John Claude Krusz, PhD, MD Full Question:If, as studies suggest, there is no inflammation involved with fibromyalgia, why are corticosteroids sometimes prescribed for FM? - AdrianAnswer:Dear Adrian:I'm not sure which studies suggest to you that there is no inflammation involved with fibromyalgia. I do believe that all pain syndromes are accompanied by some degree of inflammatory abnormality. It is not a stretch to consider that steroids made tone down some elements... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/18302/21035/3308-1