Treating Chronic Pain and Effective Opioid Management

In this interview Dr. Furlan reveals effective strategies for preventing and treating chronic pain. We also also discuss important considerations regarding the role of medication in both acute and chronic pain, including opioids, and how to approach proper tapering of opioids when appropriate.

Dr. Andrea Furlan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto and a Staff Physician and Senior Scientist at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. She is also a Scientist at the Institute for Work & Health in Toronto. She obtained her PhD in Clinical Epidemiology from the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. Dr. Furlan has extensive experience in reviewing the scientific literature for the Cochrane Collaboration and for clinical practice guidelines. She received a CIHR New Investigator Award, and her research focus is on treatments of chronic pain including medications, complementary and alternative therapies, and rehabilitation. She was the team leader for the development of the Canadian Opioid Guideline, and is now involved with Guideline's National Faculty in the dissemination and implementation of the guideline across Canada.

Dr. Furlan also reveals how lifestyle changes, such as exercise, healthy eating habits, and even certain supplements can positively impact chronic pain. This interview is a must-watch for both patients and healthcare professionals alike and will be an excellent resource for anyone seeking to learn more about pain, as well as how to prevent and alleviate chronic pain and thus improve their quality of life.

Lindsay Dixon is a Registered Pharmacist residing in Canada. She obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Brazil where she specialized in the area of Pharmacotherapy. With over 13 years of experience working in community pharmacy and in community pharmacy management, her passion lies in the areas of preventative medicine, patient-centred care, and public health education.

Lindsay was the recipient of the Ben Gant Practice Innovation award from the BC Pharmacy Association in 2021 and was most recently selected by Pharmacy Practice & Business Magazine as the recipient of the Raise Your Voice Award in 2022. Lindsay is also certified in Palliative Care through the University of Victoria.

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#podcast #painmanagement #chronicpain

[lindab]

Thank you Lindsay once again for this invaluable information. Inviting guests like Dr. Furlan give me both hope and inspiration to carry on in this journey.

[shawnaford]

Thanks for the interview repost in this topic.
While I had heard of that acute pain management was important, there seems to be a culture of pride in declining pain relief along with the big influence in the recent years on the opioid problem gets described as a moral or character problem.

So I was feeling ‘guilty’ as the anti opioid message is so strong, not realizing that I could of been setting myself up for chronic pain when a fracture is painful and little good comes from pride.
And yet the cautious use is warranted. This is such a balanced approach. And not just one size fits all.

Yet looking back the last time I was prescribed pain relief ( post surgery) was 2008. And I just took them without worry or problem.
As in just took as directed and tracked and naturally reduced as the healing progressed and I regained function.
After the original video, increased my pain pill back closer to prescribed and got my appetite back and reduced my fatigue. Pain is extremely exhausting.
Enough rambling, I will go back to sleep as I have been upright enough after taking my last pill.

[Caperhere]

We need to look at other countries, like England, for tapering schedules. Withdrawing too fast can do more far more damage than staying on opioids, including damage to the brain, motor skills, etc.
In Canada, several years ago, a doctor convention decided the best way to avoid increasing dose was to, in the case of tolerance, switch the patient to a different kind. For example, if the patient is on Oxy, change to hydrocodone. The problem with that is there didn’t seem to be a consensus of equivalency. My doctor and I tried that, but the hydro dose was too small, and I went into withdrawal. This is a situation where titrating up is a nightmare.

[lmeadows]

If an opiod works for a chronic disease, the dependence that comes from pain relief and a new lease on life is worth it.
It is the patients pain and body - it shpould be the patient's choice.