RSDSA Integrated Solutions to CRPS Conference May 10, 2013- The Experience!

Posted by twinklev

RSDSA Integrated Solutions to CRPS Conference May 10, 2013

The Experience by Twinkle Wood-VanFleet

My husband Erik and I left Sacramento California at approximately 5:15 a.m Friday morning to head to the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Assocation’s Integrated Solutions to CRPS Conference located in San Francisco California at the Double Tree Hotel Burlingame.

I was attending on behalf of the Power of Pain Foundation as their California State Ambassador, CRPS/RSD Advocacy, New CRPS information, Solutions, Reviews, Community, Friendships and the RSDSA for without them coming to San Francisco I would have never made one of their conferences for years if ever.

We arrived shortly before 8:00 a.m for registration check-in. Everyone at the RSDSA check in table was kind and very helpful.

We located our seats and chose not to sit too close to the front, but on an isle so that I would have easier access to move about as needed. So that some do not misunderstand this was not only due to my CRPS, I am pre surgery for another issue as well.

As we were getting coffee, Kaitlyn Stevens Pintor of the Bay Area Support Group and Guest Speaker at the Conference found me and introduced herself. We know each other online, but this was our first in person meet. She called me beautiful on 2 separate occasions, which made me blush, since she is really the beautiful one. She was also very kind and upbeat.

I know that many probably did not expect for me to have so many body piercings. Specifically my face. While they are included in all my online photos I can not always be certain if they are noticed or not. Judgement did cross my mind but was hoping since most already knew me online I would be judged by that, if anything. I am not ashamed of the piercings. I will go on to explain why in a moment. One thing I am very embarrassed of however is the decline of my teeth. The severe injury that caused my CRPS type 2 was in January of 2001. My teeth were perfect! By 2004 I had lost a filling, now I will lose all of my top teeth and need a full denture. It’s not just that I will lose them but the condition of them is beyond awful. Between medications and the CRPS that is where I am at. Without funds I’m at a stand still.

Lets move on.

Dr. Pradeep Chopra MD began discussing the Nervous System, Central Nervous System, Glia Cells, Central Sensitization, The Peripheral Nervous System.

He discussed how all sensations eventually travel to the Central Nervous System.

Pain signals from the body are processed even before they reach the brain.

CRPS is a dysfunction of the processing system.

In CRPS a barrage of pain signals from the body reach the spinal cord and a number of changes take place.

As the spinal cord and brain becomes flooded with this barrage of pain signals the nerves in these structures become hypersensitive.

NMDA receptors are activated

Glia Cells are activated.

Central Sensitization causes activation of certain receptors called NMDA receptors.

Decreased sensitivity to opioids.

Opioids, CRPS and Glia DO NOT get along.

Ketamine was approved in 1970 as an anesthetic.

Ketamine blocks NMDA receptors.

In CRPS it decreases central sensitization.

Rough estimates. 85% show improvement in their daily lives, reduction in their medication. It is not a cure! It helps the quality of life.

Low dose IV Ketamine administered over 4 hours. Increase based on response.

Follow up boosters on out patient basis as needed.

There is a sublingual (under the tongue or cheek) Ketamine Troche to be used in emergency flare up situation only.

Again Opioids and Narcotics are known to activate Glia though a receptor that is distinct from classical opioid receptors.

Dr. Peter Abaci MD and John Massey MD

Bay Area Pain and Wellness Center

Functional Restoration Program (FRP)

Pain can become a disease in itself!

Restore Function!

If you are from the Bay Area please look these doctors up.

Book- Pain Brain- Peter Abaci MD.

As many of you know I went to the Compass Center for Functional Restoration under Dr. Michael Levin MD of the Sacramento Pain Clinic and Director of Compass and Rick Wurster MSG, MPT, BCIAC who taught me so much at the program. I have life long support and can attend each Monday for the rest of my life. Please attend one if you can. It not only helps your physical body but all psychological aspects of pain. It can truly change your life.

Kaitlyn Stevens Pintor of the Bay Area Support Group

Building Community, real and virtual, organizing support groups both online and offline, weekly, monthly, annual fundraising and much more. Commitment!

On to more

DMSO 50%

Vitamin C can prevent CRPS after fractures. 500 mg for 1.5 months. Incidents of CRPS dropped significantly. (It doesn’t hurt to try)

Neurotropin- Available only in Japan. It helps with Allodyna and hyperalgesia. (It is in Clinical Studies here)

Service Dogs.

Inflammatory- Cytokines, Substance P, NGF, CGRP, TNF, IL-6

excite and sensitize pain receptors

Neurogenic inflammation

Inflammatory cytokines are associated with Central and Mechanical

Amplification

Hyperalgesia is an increase to sensitivity.

Allodynia is pain caused by non stimuli.

CRPS is associated with thermoregulatory problems.

Somatosensory Cortex

Body Distortion

Image Changes

The involved limb in perceived as larger.

The person can become hostile toward that limb.

They can disassociate themselves from their limb(s).

Changes are reversible and get better with time.

CRPS leads to substantial reorganization.

Primary Motor Cortex- Controls the voluntary movements of the body.

CRPS can lead to wide spread impairment.

Dystonia is involuntary movements of the body. (Changes in the motor cortex)

Brain Remapping. Example- Mirror Therapy (Mirror Box Therapy)

Avoidance/Fear Avoidance

Pain –> Fear–> Behavior Changes

Sharon Weiner- Don’t let RSD/CRPS define you and much more!

I also had the opportunity to meet Dr. Mark DeBruin of DeBruin Medical Center in Sacramento Ca.

While all of the information above was taken by hand written notes at the RSDSA Conference the original information and credit belongs to Jim Broatch, The RSDSA, Pradeep Chopra MD, Peter Abaci MD, John Massey MD (Bay Area Pain and Wellness Center), Sharon Weiner, and Kaitlyn Pintor.

I had the opportunity to lead Group 3 of patients at the conference. The question was asked earlier in the day “What is the best advice you’ve ever been given (throughout your journey with CRPS). At first I was quite nervous, but once settled it all came quite natural. Thank you Kaitlyn! I brought up the idea to Kaitlyn about writing each patients answer down and we did that! They were turned in at the end of the conference. I was honored to be chosen to lead Group 3. Thank you so very much again! I loved meeting and talking on an individual basis with each and every one of them.

My own answer to this question was when I wake up each morning to not tell myself how horrible or painful of a day it will be… when I have no way of knowing it yet.

I know it takes time to learn that one! So often we tell ourselves it’s just going to be that painful, but it doesn’t always have to be. Practice keeping those emotions down and your pain can be lower too.

Back to my piercings. I explained it during our group 3 session. I did not have these piercings pre injury/CRPS. I did it to divert my CRPS pain and while it only lasted hours to days it sidetracked me enough at the time. I was a late diagnoses. Again I was injured in Jan 26 of 2001, and while I went through the surgery to attempt to repair and another to remove the screw and 8.5 months of hard PT after etc etc, I was not diagnosed until 2003, did not get to Dr. Levin at Sacramento Pain Clinic until 2004 (second opinion and confirmation) and didn’t get a first block until 2006. That same year my trial spinal cord stimulator and permanent SCS were implanted. So I did a few stupid things including causing myself bodily harm. I no longer do those things but I can walk in the shoes of others who suffer. I suffered to survive. I hurt every day but I am alive! And now these piercings are me and I have to love me. Thank you to that group for understanding almost instantly however shocking it may have sounded initially.

And finally we were not able to stay for the 2nd day’s Cruise around the Bay, but at last minute did decide to stay the night. We did that for a couple of reasons. One was to get to know those present even more, another we were already so very tired having hardly slept the night before and up at 4 a.m for the trip, we rarely ever ever get out and about with others and it was mom’s day weekend. His gift to me! Along with baby roses he stashed here at home that he gave me today. I can plant them later.

We truly enjoyed our time with you, each staff member, patients and caregivers.

The slide presentations are located at: http://www.rsds.org/education.html

~Twinkle Wood-VanFleet

California State Ambassador Power of Pain Foundation

Founder- RSD(S)-CRPS Advisory www.CRPSAdvisory.com

Founder- RSD(S)-CRPS Advisory Info & Support Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RSDCRPSAdvisory.InfoSupport

Founder- Help The Power of Pain Foundation Assist Those with RSD/CRPS and Other Neuropathic Conditions

Founder- Causes Page same name as above- http://www.causes.com/CRPSA4POPF

Founder- Voices Carry- Where Your Voice Is Heard

This is a CRPS/RSD and Health Information Resource!
A page dedicated to sharing all things related to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS Type 2)/Causalgia and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD/CRPS Type 1) and Health Topics.

Power of Pain on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/powerofpain

If I have written or stated anything offensive or in error, please contact me at:

If regarding the POPF: Twinkle VanFleet caambassador@powerofpain.org

If in general: Twinkle VanFleet Twinkle@crpsadvisory.com

A few photo’s of the conference itself, the evening after and the next morning. Each photo belongs to it’s rightful owner.

I will be attending the RSDSA’s Integrated Solutions to CRPS Conference on Behalf of the Power of Pain Foundation May 10, 2013

Posted by twinklev

I am really excited to announce that in 4 days I will be attending the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Assocation’s (RSDSA) Integrated Solutions to CRPS Conference at San Francisco California’s Airport and Double Tree Hotel.

I will be attending on behalf of the Power of Pain Foundation.

I am eager to learn all that I can while there so that my knowledge regarding CRPS/RSD continues to expand.

I am very much looking forward to meeting the RSDSA team, listening to Guest Speaker’s, and meeting those attending from various Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Communities both online and offline.

I look forward to writing all about it after the conference.

Thank you Ken Taylor, Barby Ingle and the Executive Board of the Power of Pain Foundation.

~Twinkle Wood-VanFleet

California State Ambassador- Power of Pain Foundation

Sacramento Area to Offer Ketamine Treatment for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and Fibromyalgia Patients

Posted by twinklev

DeBruin Medical Center

9352 Madison Ave. Ste.1

Orangevale, CA 95662

(916) 989-2929

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Mark DeBruin of DeBruin Medical Center will soon be offering Ketamine Treatment to RSD/Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome and Fibromyalgia patients.

Dr. DeBruin uses the same protocol as Dr. Schwartzman and Dr. Getson to give his patients the best opportunity to achieve a remission. He also offers boosters and follow up medical care as needed.

The doctor is accepting Workman’s Compensation insurance, Personal Injury cases, and pre -approved insurance coverage. He will also be taking cash patients at $1000 per day.

Dr. DeBruin, a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Medicine is a well respected physician who has practiced medicine for over 18 years.

He completed his medical school training and Internship at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1988 and his residency in Family Medicine at San Joaquin General Hospital in Stockton, California in 1990.

Upon receiving his board certification in Family Medicine, Dr. DeBruin opened his private practice on 9352 Madison Ave. Ste.1 where he still resides today.

Since this new clinic is still forming you may not find much information on it yet as it is still in it’s infancy, but rest assured IV-Infusion therapy with a Ketamine cocktail is finally here in the Sacramento CA area.

We have waited a very long time for a clinic to reach the Greater Sacramento Area and it is with my hope that 1000’s of fellow patients receive the relief in pain levels they so desperately deserve.

Like any intervention we have to play a major role in our own recovery and perhaps in our own remission. The Ketamine and doctor will be our tools, our boosts, our helpers, that help we’ve longed for, but we will have to get up and move with it afterward, change the sedentary lifestyle we’ve become accustomed to due to our chronic pain and disabilities and take advantage of the success!

“Yours, if you choose to accept it” ~Barby Ingle

The process of getting the treatment will not happen over night. One must have patience. Last month became 12 years since the injury that caused my RSD. I’ve also experienced Fibromyalgia for the last 10. If it takes another 3 or even 6 months, I still truly have something to look forward to.

My process for the treatment has begun and I look forward to a “Remission Possible” ~Barby Ingle

It was my experience that I would be responsible for getting my treating doctor to order the heart, Psychological clearance, lung clearance and blood tests required to go forward with my Ketamine treatment with Dr. DeBruin.

Dr. DeBruin has made arrangements with hotels near his medical center for patients and families to stay at a remarkably reduced price. Please speak with his office staff for details.

I will continue to update you with more information as it shared with me by my source.

For further information about the Ketamine Treatment, please contact barby@powerofpain.org or call 480-882-1342 at the Power of Pain Foundation

Or if I can be of any assistance myself Twinkle CAAmbassador@powerofpain.org

Living with HOPE Radio Show Now A “Featured Host” On BlogTalk

Posted by twinklev

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that The Body, Mind and Spirit Network is now a Featured Host on Blogtalk Radio! This includes the popular Living with HOPE Radio Show sponsored by the Power of Pain Foundation.

Living with HOPE began in 2007 under the original title Living with RSD. It was Trudy’s hope to learn more information about her own health issue, the debilitating and painful illness RSD/Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and with that a show was born. She interviews doctors, therapists and patients; both traditional and more recently alternative practitioners with expertise that runs from prevention to cutting edge technology.

Trudy strives to empower, inform and educate her listeners with information that may not be readily available in their local area. Through the power of the internet she has the ability to communicate with and speak to some of the most knowledgeable doctors and researchers in the world.

Guests/Interviewee’s have included: Physicians, Counselors, Spiritual Healers, Psychologists, Alternative and Homeopathic Healers, Medical Authors, Biographers Researchers, Clinical Trial Physicians, and many more.

Some Topics have included: Meditation, Biofeedback, Guided imagery, Relaxation techniques, Breathing exercises, Holistic healing, Coping strategies, Distraction, Depression, Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), Pain Management, Medications, Chronic Pain Treatments, Ketamine, Calmare (Scrambler Therapy), Mirror therapy (Mirror Box), DMSO, Low Light Laser Treatment Therapy (LLLT), Functional Restoration, IVIG, Neuropathies, RSD/CRPS, Neuro Inflammatory Disease (NID) and much more.

Listeners are encouraged to call in to ask questions of the guests during the show 1-347-884-9691, and if you miss the show you can listen later by clicking on the play button or downloading the shows archive. If you are on the go, you can call into the show through your home phone or cell phone at the above number and listen live. To speak with the host or ask the guest a question press 1, you can still listen to the show while waiting to go on the air, don’t hang up! Your questions and comments are important! A chat room is also available during the live show.

Living With Hope is broadcast live on Monday’s 4:00 p.m pacific and Friday’s 9:oo a.m pacific.

You can post your questions in the chat room to be answered on air. If the time is not convenient to stop by the live shows, you can listen to the archives at any time on the radio page.

Savy Seniors, Trudy’s newest show is live on Wednesdays 3:00 p.m PST. with co-host, Sharon Rowell covering all the latest news about health, medicine, safety, caretaking and programs that are available to help seniors live a fun, productive and long life.

And, for fun of course Trudy does a Saturday show, 3:00 p.m PST, with readings from spirit given by Seers of the Soul and lots of fun music from the 50’s-80’s. Oldies but goodies.

If you are interested in being a guest on any of these shows, please email Trudy at goldfield_nv@hotmail.com.

Living with HOPE is Sponsored by the Power of Pain Foundation

We hope to see you there!

Help Make It Happen! Aunt Barby Hurts – A Children’s Book about Chronic Pain

Posted by twinklev

Please, Help fund this project in NERVEmber! 2012

Aunt Barby Hurts – A Children’s Book about Chronic Pain
A full-color story book that will improve the daily lives of families that deal with the struggles associated with Chronic Pain.

To understand the importance of this book, Watch the Video!

Go to http://www.indiegogo.com/aunt-barby-hurts to make a contribution to this great project.

Please make a contribution no matter how small, every dollar helps us reach the goal. This is a unique and worthy project to help our young population understand how to interact with those who experience some kind of chronic pain. Contributions can be as small as $1.00 and gifts will be given to the higher donations starting at only $10.00. Click on the image and see what its all about.

What we’re hoping to do, with your help, is create a children’s story book that deals with the topic of chronic pain. It will be a fully illustrated story; not merely an instructional handbook. And the goals of the book will be to introduce the idea of chronic pain, comfort children who know someone with chronic pain, and to help them learn ways of playing with, showing affection for and caring for that person.

What?

Why?

I was watching my son and his cousins interacting with their aunt Barby, who suffers with chronic pain. It was difficult for them to understand why they couldn’t give her hugs, or make loud noises. Looking at her, she doesn’t seem hurt; she doesn’t have a cast or even a band-aid. Chronic pain is often invisible, which makes it difficult for children to understand.

They would forget and sometimes play too rough with her. Sometimes that would hurt her and she would cry out; then they would feel guilty, as if they are the one that caused her to be in pain. They even started to think the best thing was to leave her alone and play somewhere out of her way. But Barby wanted to play with them, talk with them and show them how much she loved them.

Seeing this, I wondered how this might be playing out in other homes with family members who suffer from chronic pain. Over 116 million people in America have chronic pain. I thought there must be a good way to teach the children in these families all about it, how to help the family member cope, and how to play and have a great time with them: to have a normal full relationship. In talking with Barby, we agreed that a children’s story book would be the best way of dealing with this type of need.

How?

Tim and Barby will work together to create an engaging story that directly addresses many of the daily challenges of living with Chronic pain and presents them to children in a gentle and natural way. Once the story is complete, Tim will develop the artwork to bring the story to life. Tim is a fully digital artist, who works in Photoshop with a Wacom tablet.

After the story and art are complete, they will be laid out for high-quality printing as well as developed into a digital app for phones and tablets.

November is “NERVEmber!”

We’d like to dedicate this project in honor of NERVEmber 2012, the month for Neuropathy Awareness.

Tim Ingle- Co Author and Illustrator

Barby Ingle- Co Author

www.powerofpain.org

www.facebook.com/powerofpain

www.twitter.com/powerofpain

www.linkedin.com/powerofpain

Fixed Funding campaign

This campaign will only receive funds if at least $13,999 is raised by Fri Nov 30 at 11:59PM PT.

It’s crucial that this project receives it’s funding by the deadline in order to proceed.

Most people don’t realize how far a dollar with go. If all of my friends, Barby Ingle’s friends, the Power of Pain Foundation’s friends, supporter’s of the Power of Pain Foundation, supporters of chronic pain and RSD/CRPS awareness can give a gift of $2 we could reach our goal.

I say “we” and “our’ because this project has the potential of changing lives. Making happier lives. Teaching children how to interact with those of us in pain and helping us care for them while hurting.

If you are a group, an organization, a business, please start a donation jar and donate no later than November 30th.

Please go to http://www.indiegogo.com/aunt-barby-hurts

I gave, will you give with me?

It all starts with us!

NERVEmber (November) is National RSD/CRPS Awareness Month!

Posted by twinklev

November is our nationwide Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Awareness Month!

The Power of Pain Foundation calls this Nervember. There’s 2 meaning’s behind it and I hope that I’m explaining it properly. Nerve of course would be for nerves, and the nerve pain and/or damage we experience and ember, coals, fire, what our pain feels like. Barby Ingle Executive Director of the POPF explains during her hour long interview on the Living with HOPE Radio show Monday October 29th, 2012.

You should be able to find that episode here: Living with HOPE with Guest Barby Ingle http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thebodymindandspiritnetwork/2012/10/29/living-with-hope

The episode is still availabe in the archives to either be listened to from Blog Talk Radio or by download. Barby also discusses several upcoming events for Nervember. Including a full day 6th Annual Arizona State Management Conference Webinar November 3rd, 2012.

For a really great blog, don’t forget to visit: Patient Awareness by the Power of Pain Foundation at www.PatientAwareness.org featuring writer and editor Chris Greulich. Still in it’s infancy, born only a few months back, you won’t want to miss this one. It’s growing by leaps and bounds. So much more pain and patient related information to come.

I can’t wait!

Patience Grasshopper…

Please support a loved one, friend, colleage, or even an acquaintance that you know who may be suffering from and attempting to survive this painful and debilitating neuro inflammatory auto immune disease. Even those you don’t know need your support.

We ask that you wear Orange as many times as possible throughout the month of November. Whether it be an awareness bracelet, clothing, anything. If you don’t have anything on hand, you can get into the spirit with us by making yourself an orange tag that say’s “I Support RSD/CRPS Awareness” or “I Hope for a Cure for RSD/CRPS”. Use your imagination, we’ll be thankful to you!

1000’s are getting together on November 5th, scattered throughout the world to wear orange in support of RSD/CRPS awareness day. The link to Rebecca Hale’s page is- https://www.facebook.com/events/251987344922784/

Don’t forget to tell everyone that you know to wear orange too and why. The more people you teach and who become educated in why we’re doing it can pass on what they’ve learned to the next person while wearing their orange and that person to the next..

and that person to the next..

If we all take part soon enough more and more people out there will become familiar with the words.. the letters..

R S D C R P S

Then we can rest easy and begin again.

What are you doing to this month in the name of RSD/CRPS awareness? Would love to hear from you!

I don’t look sick, sound sick or act sick does that mean I’m in remission?

Posted by twinklev

The question was asked this week in my Support Group-

What do you consider “remission“? 100% back to normal or being able to manage your pain around 2-3 (on the McGill pain scale)…Just curious.

The question was asked because a good friend of mine has a radio show and people are always asking her if she’s in remission because she sounds happy on the air. She often is. Her symptoms aren’t as nearly as bad as they once were but she continues to have issues all the same.

She’s not in remission but has found a way to cope. Namely it is her radio show that has given her back her life. The interviews, research, interaction and all that goes with it has given her purpose and reason to go on. The radio show is her medication. She is wrapped up in so much information that she learns by personally speaking to doctors, other health care personal, authors, herbalists, social workers, therapists and so many more that she is better able to cope with her pain at the time due to the Distraction!

It has nothing to do with remission.

Which begs the question— Just because we don’t look sick, sound sick or act sick does this mean we’re in remission? Answer? Not at all!

So many people have preconceived notions of what sick should be and often times those who make judgements however subtle are the same who become offended if another questioned them at all.

We shouldn’t have to put on a sad face, drag our leg, clench our fist, limp or show pain behaviors just for someone else to believe we’re in pain.

I am not sure h0w anyone could presume or assume one must be in remission if they are able to cope with their pain or because they do not show it.

The same could be said for me. To many it’s seems as though I am active. I have an online support group, I’m a chronic pain advocate, I’ve had an RSD/CRPS website since 2005, I’ve appeared on the radio show I mentioned above both as guest speaker and co host, I’m the California Ambassador for the Power of Pain Foundation, I represented the Power of Pain Foundation at the NAF (Neuropathy Action Foundation) with Barby Ingle earlier this year, I did the same at the Convoy of Hope in September, I worked as Leader for another Support Group for 3 years and so forth, I have this blog and I work hard to promote RSD/CRPS awareness, promote others and support their efforts to do the same.

All the while being in pain each and every day. Many days I cannot even get up. So many days and hours a week wasted because I can’t pull myself out of bed or wake enough to be coherent.

People don’t see this.

Offline I’m barely out in the public. My most often trips are to pain management once a month or to other doctor appointments. Some people assume because I have these titles or because I try so hard I’m better off than they are. Or that my pain isn’t half as bad. If only they knew!

Sadly, pain seems to be a competition. You must be better of than me, or I hurt more than you. If you can do that you must not be in that much pain, you’re smiling today, you must not hurt, you went on a trip? You must be in remission!

I went to the lake this summer with my husband, daughter, grandson, and close family friends whom I call daughters, would this mean I must not hurt or that I must be in remission?

Naww, all it meant was that I was invited and wanted to spend a day with my family. No one saw that I spent the day laying on a blanket. I couldn’t even enjoy the water because it was too cold and my legs wouldn’t carry me back and forth to test it out again.

Another good friend of mine, best selling author, executive director, who travels several times a year advocating, spreading awareness, speaking on behalf of RSD/CRPS also has received negative comments. And while she has been in remission due to in patient Ketamine treatments, what many don’t know is that during these trips and appearances (yes I do mean “during”) or immediately after, she has to check herself into the hospital for a Ketamine booster in order to go on.

No one likes to be judged or ridiculed..

But remember…

Remission is Possible – (-Barby Ingle, Remission Possible)

RSD itself is forever.

—–

Learning Glia

Posted by twinklev

There’s been a lot of discussion lately about Glia, Micro Glia, Glial Cells and Glia Cell Activation. It’s been noted that these cells play a role in RSD/CRPS.

The Living with HOPE Radio Show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thebodymindandspiritnetwork with Host Trudy Thomas ran a weekly live feature on the topic titled “Glia, what is it?” with Guest Chris Greulich Writer and Editor of the Patient Awareness Blog http://www.patientawareness.org hosted by the Power of Pain Foundation.

The episodes are now in the shows archives for listening to either directly from the site for by downloading.

I myself find this fascinating and continue to learn all that I can. I encourage each of you to research what you can too. Some key words are listed above, you can also add RSD/CRPS to it. Other articles are located in my pages section and there will be more to come. We all need to take an active role in our own illness, read, research, talk with others who understand, listen and learn.

Remove all to as many possible stresses and triggers from your lives as these only cause the pain to escalate with Flare-Ups. Practice calm and appreciation.

From what we’ve learned so far the closest thing to deactivating the glia cell activation is Ketamine. Low dose Naltraxone is working to minimize the pain of some of those who’ve had the opportunity to try it, but not to the point of remission that Ketamine offers many.

I myself am no longer taking Morphine, or any of the Vicodin family, but instead Suboxone. I take it as my main pain reducer not to fight addiction.

I could return to one of the others, but I choose not to. As long as the Suboxone continues to work well enough, I’ll remain on it. I got to the point that my other pain relievers failed to ease me or take the edge off.

Many suffer from Opioid Induced Hyperalgesia and don’t even realize it. Yet are fearful to wean off their medications to find out. Trust me, I would be scared too, but sometimes we have to take that hard step forward even if it’s no longer literal to find out what’s best for us.

Time to learn much more about Glia and what else shuts down it’s activation.

I pray that if a cure doesn’t make it to us in my lifetime it will for certain in my children’s for who knows how many more million will be affected by then.

Nervous tissue consists of neurons, which are the cells that conduct signals, and supporting neuroglial cells such as microglial cells, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.

Nerve – Bundle of nerve fibers outside the central nervous system.

Neuron – Nerve cell that characteristically has three parts: dendrites, cell body, and axon.

Neuroglial Cell – One of several types of cells found in nervous tissue that supports, protects, and nourishes neurons.

A Review with Photos of Convoy of Hope Sept 15, 2012

Posted by twinklev

Having represented the Power of Pain Foundation as California Ambassador at the Convoy of Hope held at Cal Expo September 15th, 2012 in Sacramento California I’d like to thank the Power of Pain Foundation (POPF), Barby Ingle, Ken Taylor, POPF Board of Directors, Trudy Thomas, Chris Greulich, Convoy of Hope, Susan Gosselin, Jackie Jurek Miss Folsom Cali USA, Kurtis VanFleet POPF Jr. Ambassador and Volunteers of the day Erik, Kharisma and Erykah VanFleet for all their hard work and commitment.

I was and still am thrilled to have been able to promote awareness, distribute information, and answer questions related to Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/Causalgia and other neuropathic conditions. I also did a balloon release in the name of the Power of Pain Foundation, RSD/CRPS/Causalgia/Neuro Inflammatory Disease, Cure and Hope!

Cure is barely heard on the video as someone was hugging me at the time, but all other words are heard clearly even though I stuttered some. I’m putting together a slide show video of the event and hope to have it ready this month. It will consist of more photos an information of the event not just of the Power of Pain Foundation but of the entire day. All photos were taken by POPF Jr. Ambassador Kurtis VanFleet. A video of the balloon release will also be uploaded soon.

It was such a wonderful day, so many people were given free groceries, clothing, shoes, vision, dental and medical screenings, hair cuts, portraits, breakfast, lunch and so much more. This years turn out of a bit over 5,000 attendees was much lower than the previous years. The economy hurt this event from being even greater. Not enough donations to the Convoy of Hope, people couldn’t afford gas or public transportation to get there. People come from areas outside of Sacramento and weren’t able to this year.

People were camped out the night before the event to get in early, so gates were opened early, but also closed an hour early to accommodate for timing.

Total Guest Attendance- 5,832

Total Family Portraits- 955

Total Guests Prayed with- 4,698

Total Haircuts- 1,000

Total Women Served- (NBCF Tent)- 678

Total Shoes- 800+

Total Participating Organizations- 30

Total Volunteers- 1,763

1,400 Guests Served in the Clothing Tent

95 Dental Exams

50 Vision Exams

300 Received $500 Gift Certificates for follow-Up Vision Care

24 Pregnancy Exams

400 Served in the Job Tent

All these services were Free!

In addition thousands of pounds of food, water, and juice was distributed.

Medical, dental and vision supplies are costly.

Power of Pain foundation Table at Convoy of Hope

Jackie Jurek Miss Folsom Cali USA and Power and Pain CA Ambassador Twinkle VanFleet

Yesterday we received a Thank You Card from the Convoy of Hope. While the card was sent to me it very much belongs to the Power of Pain Foundation as a whole.

It is a shame that our economy is in such bad shape that even a good thing, an all free collaborative event was cut in half by those who were able to attend when we know the 1000’s who couldn’t be there needed the free groceries, medical exams and freebies that were offered and given away.

I pray for all those faces I seen. Those I spoke to and those I didn’t.

Let us all pray… for one another..

and let us TURN PAIN TO POWER… (powerofpain.org)

Jackie Jurek Appearing with the Power of Pain Foundation at Convoy of Hope Sept 15, 2012

Posted by twinklev

Introducing Jacqueline Jurek, a contestant in the nationally televised “Miss CALIFORNIA USA” Pageant, Jackie will be representing Folsom Cali USA and has joined the team at the Power of Pain Foundation.

Jacqueline Jurek is an aspiring neuropsychologist from Sacramento, California. She graduated High School in 2007 with honors at El Camino Fundamental and went on to SDSU where she recently graduated in May of 2012 with a Bachelors of Art in Psychology. She is currently in the process of applying for Clinical Psychology Grad School at Sac State While taking EMT classes at a Local Community College and interning with the Sacramento Country Coronors office in the Invesigative Department. In her spare time Jackie enjoys the outdoors, staying fit, and spending time with family and friends. Swimming, hiking, country concerts, and being involved with her church are among the activities she enjoys the most. She’s all for standing up for what you believe in, striving for your goals, and making sure not to take life too seriously that you forget to enjoy it.

As a contestant in the the nationally televised “Miss CALIFORNIA USA” Pageant, Jackie will be representing Folsom Cali USA and is excited to join the team at the Power of Pain Foundation with her passion in neuropsychology and is ready to help make a difference in her community and her fellow neighbors.Jackie will be making a special appearance at this years Convoy of Hope being held at the Cal Expo on September 15, 2012 where we will be distributing valuable and informative pamphlets, books and materials on Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/Causalgia and Neuropathies, raising RSD/CRPS awareness, answering questions, having a photo book of RSD/CRPS limbs available for viewing, a free raffle and more.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Type 1, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 2/Causalgia is a painful, debilitating, neuropathic and auto immune disorder. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD) also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)/Causalgia is an illness first discovered by Weir Mitchel during the Civil War. Over 10 million people have been diagnosed in the U.S. Alone. The McGill Pain Index rates RSD a 42 out of 50 and is listed as the most painful chronic disease that is known. While it seems as if it is a rare disease it’s not, yet not many know about it. It’s our goal to change that.

RSD/CRPS is a physical condition. Any depression or psychological manifestations are secondary do to the illness and due to the fact it is so painful to live with.

Practical Management of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Eric S. Hsu, MD*

Abstract: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) describes a diversity of painful conditions following trauma, coupled with abnormal regulation of blood flow and sweating, trophic changes, and edema of skin. The excruciating pain and diverse autonomic dysfunctions in CRPS are disproportionate to any inciting and recovering event. CRPS type I is formerly identified as ‘‘reflex sympathetic dystrophy.’’ CRPS type II is the new term for ‘‘causalgia’’ that always coexists with documented nerve injury. The present diagnostic criteria of CRPS I and II depend solely on meticulous history and physical examination without any confirmation by specific test procedure (or gold standard). There are only few clinical studies with large-scale randomized trials of pharmacologic agents on the treatment of CRPS. Bisphosphonates have been studied in multiple controlled trials, based on theoretical benefit of bone resorption, to offer pain relief and functional improvement in patients with CRPS.Many current rationales in treatment of CRPS (such as topical agents, antiepileptic drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, and opioids) are mainly dependent on efficacy originate in other common conditions of neuropathic pain. There are additional innovative therapies on CRPS that are still in infancy. No wonder all the treatment of individual CRPS case nowadays is pragmatic at best. Although the interventional therapies in CRPS (such as nerve blockade, sympathetic block, spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation, implantable spinal medication pumps, and chemical and surgical sympathectomy) may offer more rapid response, yet it is still controversial with unpredictable outcome. Nevertheless, we need to start pain management immediately with the ambition to restore function in every probable case of CRPS. An interdisciplinary setting with comprehensive approach (pharmacologic, interventional, and psychological in conjunction with rehabilitation pathway) has been proposed as protocol in the practical management of CRPS. It is crucial to have a high sensitivity value combined with a fair specificity in revising diagnostic criteria of CRPS. The validation and consensus for new rationalized diagnostic criteria of CRPS could facilitate further research to enhance clinical outcome including quality of life. These endeavors to minimize suffering from CRPS would certainly be appreciated by many patients and their loved ones.

keywords: complex regional pain syndrome, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, causalgia, pharmacologic

http://www.rsdsa.org/pdfsall/Hsu_AmJTher_2009.pdf

More recently we have learned that RSD/CRPS is a Neuro Inflammatory and Neuroautoimmune disorder. It can effect any part of the body. It can spread from a single limb to several and it can involve the internal body as well. This does not happen in all patients, but it can happen.

Not only will Jackie be representing the Power of Pain Foundation with me, but she will be available to take photos and sign autographs with the guests that come to our booth. Come support Jackie, the Power of Pain Foundation and the Convoy of Hope at this spectacular event! We hope to see you there! September is Pain Awareness Month!

If you have any questions or for further information

Contact: Twinkle VanFleet

CAAmbassador@powerofpain.org

916.850-0RSD(0773)

(This # is not for personal use)

www.PowerofPain.org

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