Pain Sensitivity...

Fight…. or flight!.  I know what my Pain Sensitivity is over the last eight years.

It was first tried to be controlled by Tramadol. A medicine I found to be allergic to the first week. Then came

Indomethacin.

One that burned holes in my stomach, so  prilosac, for the stomach, the It was opioids, and  morphine. Enough that the pharmacists thought I was giving it to someone on their death bed.

I was able to get off all these, except prilosac when a proper diagnosis came. Two meds work to block Pain in Multiple Sclerosis. Are Lyrica and Cymbalta combination. They need to start with name brands, as generics don't work. Gabbapentin is another good one. I am on over twenty five medicines, to control Pain and my multiple Sclerosis.  

A interesting report of DNA was done by Sanogenetics.com.  It shows some DNA they know is  related to Pain. Enclosed is their report, I find interesting.  Everyone has different Pain thresholds. I am sure DNA will shed light on many others.

https://palousemindfulness.com/MBSR/week0.html

Thanks for reading, and leave me a comment!

Joe

Pain Sensitivity

How does genetics influence the way we experience pain?

Pain Sensitivity

Complexity Level:Complex

low

Heritability- low -10%

Genetic variation in these sites has been associated with different levels of susceptibility to & risk of chronic pain.

HIGHER PAIN THRESHOLD

LOWER PAIN THRESHOLD

rs4680

AG

- This means that you are likely to have an intermediate pain threshold.

HIGHER RISK

LOWER RISK

rs1042713

GG

- This means you have a normal risk of experiencing chronic pain

Thermal pain

HIGHER THRESHOLD

LOWER THRESHOLD

rs25531

TT

- This means that you are likely to have a higher threshold for acute thermal pain.

A pulled muscle in the back or leg can send some of us to the couch for days whereas others seem to more easily recover. How can we explain differences in pain sensitivity and recovery? Could the answer be in our genes? Scientists have been studying the question for a long time and the answer is: “it’s complicated”. Susceptibility to pain appears to be dictated by interactions between your environment and your genetics.

Fight…. or flight!

Many of the genes found to be associated with pain sensitivity contribute to the production of adrenaline and serotonin .

Both adrenaline and serotonin are 'neurotransmitters', which act as messengers in the brain to carry information. Adrenaline is often known as one of the “stress hormones” and is responsible for the famous “fight or flight response”. Increased levels of adrenaline raise the heart rate, elevate blood pressure and boost energy supplies. In other words, adrenaline prepares the brain to react to immediate danger. In patients with chronic pain, some genetic variants have been found on a gene called COMT, which is known to be involved in the regulation of adrenaline. Genetic variation in the site called rs4680 has been associated with different levels of susceptibility to chronic pain. People with two G's in this position are much more tolerant to chronic pain!

SNP rs4680

You have the variant AG at position rs4680. This means that you are likely to have an intermediate pain threshold.

Genetic variation in another gene called ADRB2 also influences adrenaline levels and has also been suggested to play a role in pain sensation. One genetic variant near ADRB2 has been associated with chronic pain: rs1042713. Curiously, the adrenaline related genes mentioned in this article may also be associated with sleep dysfunction and anxiety.

SNP rs1042713

You have the variant GG at position rs1042713. This means you have a normal risk of experiencing chronic pain.

Pleasure or pain?

The second neurotransmitter system that seems affected in patients with chronic pain is the serotonin pathway. Serotonin is often prescribed as an anti-depressant and is popularly thought to contribute to feelings of well-being and happiness. This description does not do serotonin justice, as it does far more in our body than regulate emotions and works in complex and intricate ways. In the context of pain for example, serotonin can act as an analgesic (painkiller) or as hyperalgesic (pain enhancer), depending on where it acts in the body. Several genes controlling serotonin production are involved in susceptibility to pain. The HTR2A gene codes for a protein that acts as a 'landing pad' or receptor for serotonin. The serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4 is also involved in pain perception. If you have two C's at rs25531, you are more likely, on average, to be more sensitive to thermal pain (such burns or frost bites).

SNP rs25531

You have the variant TT at position rs25531. This means that you have a higher threshold for acute thermal pain.

This genetic variant was not included in your original DNA data file. During our upgrade process, we determined your most likely genotype at this position using imputation.

More about imputation

What does this tell us?

This is only a snapshot of the many genes that are involved in pain sensitivity. It is important not to forget that the perception of pain can also be influenced by psychological factors. A recent study suggested that swearing out loud while immersing your hand in cold water can help relieving the pain . Overall, more research is needed to truly understand the biological nature of pain. As our understanding improves, there may be opportunities to develop more personalised treatments to acute and chronic pain.

Image credit: - Unsplash

References

[1]The phenotypic and genetic signatures of common musculoskeletal pain conditions.

[2]The science of why swearing reduces pain.

Glossary

[SNP]

SNP stands for 'single nucleotide polymorphism' and refers to regions of DNA that vary between individuals.

Mindfulness and Multiple Sclerosis

Two of my newest Doctors I added to my team are from US Davis Pain Management.

Low Dose Naltrexone   LDN was mentioned to look into.  I am still pursuing this, and have looked at some interesting data. would love to know about others using this with ms.

  Let me  hear of people's experience with this ldn, and the  home compounding sounds much more affordable, as then you could zoom into the proper doseage, instead of using a compounding pharmacy, for those inclined to make items.

I was in a Trial using real Biotin in large diseases (vitamin b7)  I found myself measuring precise amounts of a pure white pure Biotin powder daily, with a precision scale. I had to stop trial early due to thick blood from H63D genes they found by endocrinologist, as biotin was used in one of the test on thyroid glands. I was referred to the cancer center.

The Cancer Dr found the HFE gene, two H63d genes mutated, causing Iron overload. I have for 17 phlebotomy done.
https://rarepatientvoice.com/everchangingms/ is a good starting point for Rare diseases, or any. They do paid studies for research.

I make my own Quinine, to obtain 22 mg per serving, to help muscle spasms.  So this process of compounding Naltrexone 50 mg into 50 mgl of water sounds quite simple.

I am currently on about twenty five medicines.  A Sharp pain in My back and zapping thru My fingers brought me to these new Drs, from My GP.  I was inbetween Botox injections into My neck muscles and calf muscles in both legs. They had not happened for six months.

The Head Professor, at UC Davis  who injects the Botox was still a month away. My last Neurologist took a medical leave of absence, so It had been six months to get into the expert, and this Dr was the expert.

 The New Dr, had a student with him. A guided computer to help show how deep and into the muscles, the botox needle needed to go.  The needle  which was about three inches long  was effortlessly injected, as the muscle names flew softly from the professor, as I heard the machines crackling sounds diminish as injections were happening, some deep, some shallow. Some requiring more botox, as the needles he had were pre loaded with Botox. My calves and both sides of my neck were done.

I do miss My old Neurologist, and his small staff.   He had a lot of knowledge, and our discussions were always worthwhile, with my notebook full of questions. His scrybles, deciphered only by a few, shows My eight years of history with him. Some notes transcribed.  I do hope to see him lecturing somewhere on the circuit to ask him questions. He was a old timer, without the need for a computer, with a office full of papers, and a staff of two. One gal made appointment the old way in a book with pencil she had folder of Drs notes, and prescriptions written out.

 My online pharmacy, did not like their fax. Refused, and would leave messages for Dr at 2am. I finally found a way around this, as this was creating too much work to keep refaxing, and time talking to them.  On my part was a good hour every refill, for days on end. Drs office, was even more frustrated.  The Fax Machine, huge size for medical office, did not talk to the upgraded Hal 2001 , which was now standard for insurance companies. This generated computer errors, and call backs, but no human could fix, or know that was the problem, or relay such.

My fix, was to mail in the Drs prescriptions. That old fashion step got me My meds prescribed.


Now into new Drs...  The Botox helps tremedously. I look forward to it, kind of a oxymoron, but that's how some of the pain gets relief from.

                                               Guided computer for Botox

My other Dr is into mindful meditation.

I hope to keep adding to this page with your help of links, youtube, and others to try.

He has a MBCT  class in August, but it's now going to be virtual, due to covid-19.  Matthew is trying to get me in, but for now, here are some links I have found.


LDN
https://ldnresearchtrust.org/what-is-low-dose-naltrexone-ldn

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3962576/

How to be your own compounding pharmacy directions
https://altarp.com/how-to-prepare-low-dose-naltrexone-ldn/

Search Facebook for LDN

Other groups
Facebook private group on interested Clementine Fumarate
Clemastine Fumarate / Metformin / Off Label Drugs For Multiple Sclerosis
https://www.facebook.com/groups/699183567291955/

MINDFULL MEDITATION

I was first introduced to this from Lindsay Wagner, https://lindsaywagner.com/
 who played the Bionic Woman.  My Partner, Wil, is a big fan of hers, and Wil  has a few of her look alike dolls in his collection from the Bionic Woman.

We went down to Monterey, CA. For a seminar on mindful meditation. It was held in Monterey. Wil found a unbelievable deal and instantly booked a great  deal for a weekend at  the
 ASILOMAR CONFERENCE GROUNDS. https://www.visitasilomar.com/  We had a building to ourselves, and the ocean right there. Work didn't matter, as we put in for the days off regardless. We made our own food, so not to disturb conference they had.

This is when I was being  mid diagnosed with Crips. Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome

Lindsay was in Monterey, just minutes away from Asilomar.   A quite quaint Expensive Town, that you will feel out of place in without name brand expensive apparel on.

We sat front row, perhaps the only two guys, but standing room only before she came out in a flowing soft cotton outfit.

The year was 2011
We bought her CD ,
Lindsay Wagner on "Quiet the Mind and Open the Heart."

lindsaywagner.com

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1yX8ePlf-Pk


https://www.pinterest.com/pin/533676624567062205/https://www.pinterest.com/pin/533676624567062205/


https://www.elevatedexistence.com/the-bionic-woman-lindsay-wagner-talks-meditation-holistic-healing-and-shifting-perspective/


Other mindfulness sites of interest
https://healthstoriesproject.com/5-self-care-tips-for-chronic-illness/

https://palousemindfulness.com/MBSR/week0.html

The MS Trust has a few to start with.
https://www.mstrust.org.uk/a-z/mindfulness


I have been invited to join a study group put on by the University of Washington on MBCT, or CBT training, or by the flip of a coin, just a care group for eight weeks.
This is funded thru the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

https://www.nationalmssociety.org/About-the-Society/News/MS-Trial-Alert-Investigators-Recruiting-People-wit

https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/2019/01/31/ms-patients-sought-test-alternative-chronic-pain-treatment-methods/

I asked them specific questions my new Drs had, of continued appointments with them, and joining their group in August, overlapping the study.  The Dr I spoke to in Washington, did not see it as a problem doing the MBCT training at UC Davis also. The parameters.

This will all be by zoom platform, University of Washington platform, phone and email, with 6-7 per group. A Total of 240 participants, with 80 for MBCT training, 80 CBT training and 80 in care group...no help.  So hope to have coin flip for MCBT.  July 29-Sept 16, with follow ups.. Meeting two hours weekly.