Chronic Pain is an Invisible Disability

Doctor Furlan answers 9 questions that were sent by a group of patients in Ontario, Canada.

1. ALL of the participants agreed that your introductory video entitled « Chronic Pain » should be required viewing by all medical professionals....who should then in turn recommend it to their clients/patients. How can we make this happen?

2. How can I speak to my friends and family about my pain when they are generally not supportive?

3. How can I maintain intimacy with my partner when my libido is often wiped out by pain?

4. What can I do if my family doctor either doesn’t believe in chronic pain or doesn’t seem interested in learning about it?

5. What can I do to reduce the bias and stigma I encounter regarding my stable and successful opioid treatment for my chronic pain: a) in the emergency department when there for a new acute pain b) when my doctor is on leave or retires ? The opioid crisis has not been helpful to me in these regards.

6. In Ontario, how can I get a new doctor when I am deemed to be a “complex case”? (always rejected after the interview)

7. Topic: active versus passive treatment/ attitude. “I just want to find the right doctor who will know the right medicine to make this pain go away.”

8. What are your top ten best ideas/ suggestions for someone with chronic pain?

9. When using a multifaceted approach to chronic pain, how can I be sure what is working and what is not? Similarly, if I have been on a particular pain reliever or anti-inflammatory for years... is this safe for my kidneys/ liver—- how can I tell what is an acceptable level of risk?

#drAndreaFurlan #DrFurlan #DoctorFurlan

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ALERT: This video is not intended to replace medical
advice. If you think you have a condition that is
causing you pain, please consult with your doctor
to get a diagnosis and a treatment plan for you.
The intent of this video is only for educational
purposes.
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[Debbiesdilemmas]

Thank you for addressing this. I live with chronic pain and although my family and friends believe me they still can’t understand. They will never understand the amount of pain or the emotional distress it causes. I find my doctors are not willing to give much in the ways of pain control and I understand to a certain degree but living every day in pain is draining me. I’m going to look into pain management clinics. I’ve always wished there was a medical instrument that could measure the amount of pain a person is having.

[johnathanabrams]

Positron emission tomography (PET)/MRI is a whole-body, quantitative, multiparametric tool that can be
used to look at functional tissue abnormalities associated with MPS (e.g., tissue hydration,
perfusion/ischemia, inflammation, metabolic changes, immune activation, nerve dysfunction).
Nociception is associated with significant biochemical, molecular, and physiological changes that
potentially can be exploited for molecular imaging. PET can detect changes that often are not visible via
MRI. Simultaneous MRI and PET can provide excellent spatial and contrast resolution along with
functional information. For example, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/MRI of a patient with sciatica
identified an impinged nerve and herniated disc associated with hypermetabolic pathology. 18F-sodium
fluoride PET/MRI was used to investigate the patient’s leg pain; no abnormalities were detected by MR,
but PET images showed early muscle atrophy and denervation changes. PET also can detect metabolic
activity in osteoarthritis before structural changes are detectable by MRI. Hypermetabolic lymph nodes
were found in a patient with complex regional pain syndrome, suggesting a potential immune component.
Small foci of enhanced 18F-FDG uptake were observed near the thoracic sympathetic chain in another
complex regional pain syndrome patient, leading the treating physician to consider use of a sympatholytic
drug to complement the analgesic currently taken.

[christinagleave]

Has anyone else felt pain while sleeping? Ive had dreams of being in pain and waking up in pain... is there even a word for that? When you are legit sleeping but then start feeling pain in the dream and react to the pain while dreaming?

[shweta]

I got operated for lung tumor 1.5 yrs ago and i am still having pain in my chest and it is persistent. Would it be considered as chronic pain.. My doctor don't adress it much . They have told me to just avoid pain.


But is it consistent and daily. Affecting my emotions, though, my actions.. What should i do? How can i resolve it... Is there any solution for that?

[newfoundland]

I agree I feel it but Dr say oh you're ok

[lsherwood]

The medical community thinks you are really out for drugs. They can't comprehend that you simply want relief from the weight of the pain.

[jake]

Hi, i get pain in my joints that comes and goes really fast. It seems like connective tissues are on fire. I have to load up on painkilllers, then all of a sudden its gone. Test dont show up anything. Its horrendous. Im 45, and i cant work much.