Chronic pain can damage brain tissue

Treatments, Rehabilitation, and Recovery
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Christopher
Posts: 845
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2003 10:09 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Date of Injury: 12/15/02

Level of Injury:
-dominant side C5, C6, & C7 avulsed. C8 & T1 stretched & crushed

BPI Related Surgeries:
-2 Intercostal nerves grafted to Biceps muscle,
-Free-Gracilis muscle transfer to Biceps Region innervated with 2 Intercostal nerves grafts.
-2 Sural nerves harvested from both Calves for nerve grafting.
-Partial Ulnar nerve grafted to Long Triceps.
-Uninjured C7 Hemi-Contralateral cross-over to Deltoid muscle.
-Wrist flexor tendon transfer to middle, ring, & pinky finger extensors.

Surgical medical facility:
Brachial Plexus Clinic at The Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN
(all surgeries successful)

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
~Theodore Roosevelt
Location: Los Angeles, California USA

Chronic pain can damage brain tissue

Post by Christopher »

I've decided to give the Spinal Cord Stimulator a try, and this is one of the main reasons why.
Going back to school has made this very evident, and its not just about getting older (like everyone I mention something about it says).


http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=42 ... id=3510210
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Chronic pain can damage brain tissue

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:08:59

Scientists claim chronic pain stimulates constant activity in brain areas that should be at rest, resulting in permanent brain damage.

According to the study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, chronic pain not only causes the sensation of persistent pain, but also triggers other pain-related symptoms such as depression.

Findings showed that the front cortex region, mostly associated with emotions, is constantly active in those suffering from chronic pain which may disrupt the normal equilibrium and cause an abnormal cerebral information process.

American scientists suggest that enduring pain for a long time affects brain functions in response to even minimally attention-demanding tasks.

The study showed 50 percent more brain cells are used while performing simple tasks in chronic pain sufferers compared to their normal peers.

Scientists believe these findings can explain the higher rates of depression, anxiety, insomnia and attention disorders in chronic pain sufferers.
misery101
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:26 pm

Re: Chronic pain can damage brain tissue

Post by misery101 »

thanks for the information...as I am thinking about giving the spinal cord stimulator a try ...did it help your pain..I to suffer from pain on a daily basis
User avatar
Christopher
Posts: 845
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2003 10:09 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Date of Injury: 12/15/02

Level of Injury:
-dominant side C5, C6, & C7 avulsed. C8 & T1 stretched & crushed

BPI Related Surgeries:
-2 Intercostal nerves grafted to Biceps muscle,
-Free-Gracilis muscle transfer to Biceps Region innervated with 2 Intercostal nerves grafts.
-2 Sural nerves harvested from both Calves for nerve grafting.
-Partial Ulnar nerve grafted to Long Triceps.
-Uninjured C7 Hemi-Contralateral cross-over to Deltoid muscle.
-Wrist flexor tendon transfer to middle, ring, & pinky finger extensors.

Surgical medical facility:
Brachial Plexus Clinic at The Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN
(all surgeries successful)

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
~Theodore Roosevelt
Location: Los Angeles, California USA

Re: Chronic pain can damage brain tissue

Post by Christopher »

I'm starting the trial week in about 5 weeks. The company medtronics is coming out w/a smaller implantable unit. So I'm giving myself the next month to get as much research in as possible.

I'm fully aware that for BPI, the success rate is probably lower than 50%. But I just need to exhaust all avenues before I roll over and give in. We'll see, I'll post my findings once the trail implant is in.
Brandon_3
Posts: 155
Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2005 1:49 am

Re: Chronic pain can damage brain tissue

Post by Brandon_3 »

Hey guys I havent posted in awhile or even checked the boards but my Dr. is kinda pushing the implant as well so I would like to see how it goes for you Chris I am a fully avulsed c45678 t1 rtbpi with constant pain. That part about the brain activity and the brain damage link is scary. That might push me more towards doing it but I would be nice to hear about someone elses experience. thanks guys.
Brandon
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