Before I leave completely the subject of different forms of medicines (prescription, over the counter and natural/herbal medicines), I would like to stress, that neuropathic pain patients as well all other kinds of chronic pain sufferers, may have fragmented sleep that leaves them unrefreshed in the morning and tired all day. They can also become moody and depressed or anxious. These additional problems should not be ignored. Bad sleep, fatigue and depressed mood can intensify pain. Do not hesitate to discuss these issues with your physician, as he/she may be able to offer some help.

All along, we have talked and will continue to talk on treatments for neuropathic pain that already exists. What about ways to prevent neuropathic pain BEFORE it is created? For example, the extremely common surgery for heart bypass in patients with cardiac disease, results in some kind of chest wall nerve damage in a very large number of patients (fortunately, only about 15% of those with such nerve damage will experience neuropathic pain), when a little artery is used (called internal mammary or thoracic artery). A simple modification of the surgery can reduce very much the frequency of such nerve damage. To know more for this syndrome visit www.actionontario.ca and click on the Neuropathic Pain Atlas. Another way to prevent pain is with a vaccine targeting specifically the virus that creates shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia. Luckily, this vaccine is approved in Canada and it just became available in the Canadian market for people over 60 and those who may be more vulnerable to this infection and the ensuing serious pain.

The next paper will be devoted to physical and psychological treatments for neuropathic pain.

Keywords: pain, treatment, drugs