The Benefits of Pain Sprays For Persistent Pain - Treating Pain On-The-Go

by Heather Grace

As a long-time pain sufferer, any product that seems too good to be true leaves me skeptical... as it should. I have dealt with severe, chronic pain for over 10 years and was diagnosed two years ago with Intractable Pain (IP). For those of you who don't know what that means, I am in pain nearly all day, every day. I have neurological problems, headaches, and suffer a host of side effects that are not at all pleasant. (You can read more about IP here.)

I have tried everything. Physical therapy, biofeedback, EMS/TENS, ultrasound, massage, chiropractic care, spinal injections/nerve blocks, accupuncture/accupressure, prescription medication and yes, even surgery. I have also fallen pray to the promises of many over-the-counter products that promise pain relief:

A whole host of vitamins, supplements and nonprescription medication. Patches that either fall off mid-use OR stick too well thus hurting and/or leaving areas of redness/broken skin when you attempt to take them off. Hot packs, cold packs--combination hot/cold packs...packs that you can attach to here or there on your body. Then there's the creams: smelly creams, greasy creams, creams that stain, some that do all of the above! Ugh.

When you don't know what you're looking for, not only do you spend a lot of money needlessly; you end up becoming a guinea pig, desperately searching for adequate pain management. Sure, some things work a little, help a little, make life a little easier. But most are a huge waste of money!

Then, two years ago I found the answer... a pain clinic with a caring doctor that knows what works and what doesn't. Imagine that! Thanks to him, I have narrowed my search, using the nonprescription items that he has tested with his own patient population, to ensure effectiveness.

He even put out a wonderful handbook earlier this year, called "What To Do While Looking For A GOOD Pain Doctor." Get your FREE copy here.

Since then, I have found what works for me, and have had enough pain relief to go from sitting around/laying around, in such ercruitiating pain that I couldn't do much else -- to launching THIS VERY SITE in order to help others. It may not seem like much to you, but for me, it's been THE miracle of all miracles!

Then, this past Christmas, I received a present from Dr. T--a pain spray. Sure, I was skeptical. But, after a few sprays, the headache I had melted away--I was SMILING. It was magical. RELIEF! Instantly! Like nothing I had ever tried. Sure, other things had worked for me. But not so quickly. Not like this!

So, here in this blog, I will detail the three pain sprays I believe in most. I will tell you what makes each one special, which one I like most and why, and give you the links to purchase them, should you wish to try them for yourself. If not, please try to find them locally--it's worth the effort, because they are WONDERFUL!

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ThePainStore.com's OFFICIAL REVIEWS:
The Absolute BEST Topical Pain Sprays

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My #2 Choice of 4 oz Pain Relievers: Biofreeze

Having never tried a pain spray before, Biofreeze amazed me. I had a horrific headache, getting caught in traffic on the way to my doctor's office. He presented the bottle of Biofreeze to me as a Christmas present! It was by far the best present I got for Christmas 2008! My headache lessened, I instantly felt better. For a chronic pain sufferer, that's pretty powerful!

Biofreeze is very popular, and because of it's use mainly in clinics, it's harder to get, and as such, is also one of the more expensive sprays. Is it worth the price? Absolutely! Are the other options? Sure, we carry two. Biofreeze is unique in that it contains Ilex and several herbal extracts not used in other products. I love it! Sprays at any angle and the relief lasts for up to two hours. It's wonderful!

Gets 4.5 out of 5 stars, and is ThePainStore.com's #2 choice for 4 oz pain sprays. It would be PERFECTION if only it was easier to get, and was slightly less expensive!

My #1 Choice of 4 oz Pain Sprays: StoPain

StoPain is our top pick for 4 oz pain sprays! It's effective for instant relief of headaches with no medication needed, which is a true miracle for me! I cannot imagine life without pain sprays anymore.

Compares to Biofreeze and I would say it's hard to distinguish between the two. Contains 8% menthol compared to Biofreeze's 10%. Definitely less expensive! Sprays at any angle and the relief lasts for up to two hours. It's wonderful!

Because of it's price and the fact that it's much easier to use, StoPain is ThePainStore.com's official choice for #1 Pain Spray, 4 oz Size.

Note that right now it's even less expensive: StoPain has graciously provided ThePainStore.com with a limited supply of $2 rebate forms. With purchase, you will receive this rebate, and get an even better deal on your first purchase of StoPain, thru Dec 31, 2009! (Limit one rebate per person or address.)

DRUMROLL PLEASE...
My #1 Choice of ALL Pain Sprays: MyOmega

MyOmega gets voted #1 because it provides instant pain relief, but more than that, the relief lasts! MyOmega has time-released Ice Pearls that keep the menthol penetrating into your muscles, continuing your pain management for longer than any other pain spray I've used.

The first pain spray I ever tried was Biofreeze, which was exceptional, however, I have been swayed by MyOmega. Not only do you get TWICE the amount (8 oz instead of Biofreeze's 4) for just a few dollars more, but you get more menthol and a more lasting relief!

It's not just our #1 Best Pain Spray, it is by far our bestseller... our #1 Topical.

So, get our most highly recommended pain relief spray today--you won't be disappointed! Treats muscle pain, headaches, even sprains or strains, and inflammation too! You will be pleasantly surprised by this product. It's true targeted pain relief in a spray. More than that, it's a 5-star product! You will feel better in seconds. It's a miracle in a can -- I keep pain spray with me wherever I go!

The Best Topicals on ThePainStore.com -- Targeted Pain Relief Sprays:

MyOmega - #1 Pain Spray

StoPain - #1 Pain Spray, 4 oz Size

Biofreezze - #2 Pain Spray, 4 oz Size

The FDA is Trying to Regulate Opioids - Why We Must Fight It!

by Heather Grace

Here's my letter to the FDA regarding their new attempt to control opioids, with their 'Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies.' Visit the site and make your own comments NOW: http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=FDA-2009-N-0143. Deadline: June 30, 2009.

RE Docket No. FDA-2009-N-0143:

While I choose to have some faith in the FDA, and believe that they are attempting to help people by setting up these REMS, the idea is ill-conceived. To develop Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies for certain opioid drugs assumes that the FDA has better knowledge about the patient than their treating physician does. I am sure when the people who drafted the REMS got together, it sounded like a good idea, but really, it is not that simple.

It is more than impractical--it is impossible to have the government control the dispensing of certain medications, and then truly make those medications available freely to those who need them.

Anyone who knows even a little about pain management understands how complex it is. Any pain patient, any good pain management physician will state unequivocally, there is no recipe for success in treating pain. There is no black and white diagnostic standard.

While some people suffer one short bout of chronic pain, lasting little over 90 days and then they get better, there are also many serious pain sufferers, with very serious diagnoses.

A doctor may have certain preferences about what he tries with a patient, and what she/he feels works well. After the first line treatment, she/he may try other options, other combinations, until a patient is stabilized and the pain is being effectively managed. As we all know, the ultimate goal is to get the patient back to some semblance of a normal life, where daily activities are possible, without excruciating pain limiting one to a bed-bound or couch-bound state.

Physicians are often limited by what a patient’s prescription plan will cover, so that, too, impacts what is prescribed. However, sometimes patients are faced with the issue of either getting proper pain management and going broke, paying out of pocket for things that aren’t covered, or accepting a lesser medication, that involves lesser pain relief.

There are already so many stumbling blocks for patients trying to find relief. I would hate to see the government further regulate the process, thus making it more difficult for people who are plagued by pain, and already have a very hard life.

There is a huge distinction between simple chronic pain and a diagnosis of Intractable Pain. Do you realize what Intractable Pain really means? Someone on the outside really doesn’t know what it looks like, or how it feels. It’s really impossible to understand the agony. If you have never experienced any sort of serious injury, count yourself lucky. Intractable Pain literally means pain that never goes away. Daily pain. Hourly pain. Minute-by-minute clock-watching, excruciating ‘will it ever end, dear God, please’ pain.

The official definition, according to IntractablePainDisease.com: "A severe, constant pain that is not curable by any known means and which causes a bed or house-bound state... Intractable Pain (IP) has four outstanding characteristics: (1) constant, (2) severe, (3) disabling, and (4) causes detectable biologic impacts on the body's blood pressure, pulse rate, hormone levels, and neurologic systems. It should be considered a serious catastrophic condition that, inadequately treated, leads to premature death. Some of its complications include dementia, osteoporosis, muscle wasting, obesity, and cardiovascular disease."

For people who live it, trust me, life is already plenty difficult. To make it any harder, would truly be an injustice. REMS would endanger the lives of anyone with IP or a similar diagnosis.

I urge the FDA to first, get a better understanding of what Intractable Pain and its related diagnoses, means to the people dealing with it. Meet with an expert, someone like Forest Tennant, M.D., Dr.PH, who can accurately lead you through IP and its challenges. I am confident that patients with severe chronic pain/IP are in good hands with physicians like Dr. Tennant. Why?

A physician with effective knowledge of pain management has many tools available, regarding assessment of one’s pain management. She/he can assess the patient’s overall affect, as well as their ability to function as they did prior to injury. The doctor may use simple in-office tests, such as blood pressure and pulse rates, their gait and speech, to gauge a patient’s current pain level. She/he may also rely on blood tests that show how well a patient metabolizes medication, thus further justifying a patient’s need for high-dose opioid therapy.

Though some are new, there are many ways to understand why patients need the medications they need. There are clear-cut tests to show how effective their medications are. Therefore, I do not see a need for government intervention.

The REMS states that it intends to ensure that the benefits of these drugs continue to outweigh certain risks. I believe there is a serious danger in trying to establish a need for medication within the concrete walls of an institution, instead of by the warm hands of the treating physician, where there is the full gambit of a patient’s history: their MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, blood work, physical examination, blood pressure and pulse rates.

Death by overdose is a rare occurrence. It is not something that happens frequently when a patient is being accurately monitored and treated by a responsible physician who truly knows their history, knows their pain, and understands the patient's prescribing needs. Only a knowledgeable pain doctor can truly mitigate the risks of these drugs, on a case-by-case basis.

To quote Dr. Forest Tennant, M.D., Dr.PH. in The Intractable Pain Patient's Handbook for Survival: “The biggest problem an Intractable Pain (IP) patient faces for survival is that a bona fide IP patient is a rarity among chronic pain patients... Control of IP requires the daily use of prescription medication. I estimate that one IP case occurs among about every thousand chronic pain patients. Due to IP's rarity, almost every doctor, insurance plan, hospital, or family member you encounter will initially assume you are just another, average, chronic pain patient who can get by with the standard firstline treatments such as exercise, positive mental attitude, acupuncture, massage, and non-prescription drugs. To survive, you will constantly have to fight this misconception, and you must educate most of the people you encounter.

“IP patients all require a custom-made, one-of-a-kind treatment plan. Most physicians and other medical personnel you encounter may be bewildered and even fearful of your treatment, because they may not have encountered another patient with your pain severity.”

Dr. Tennant’s handbook further cautions those with IP to understand that pain is their enemy: “Your IP is long-standing, constant, keeps you from sleeping, drives up your pulse rate and blood pressure, and alters your adrenal hormone levels. You must remember that your pain is your enemy. To cause it to worsen or flare for any reason may do further damage to nerves and other body tissues that are already permanently damaged.

“Your attitude about pain must change. Increased pain hurts you. When the pain flares, your pulse rate increases, and hormones stored in your adrenal gland flood your system causing further body deterioration, rusting, and aging.

“Therefore, you MUST do whatever it takes to suppress your pain and prevent flare-ups. You simply want to keep pain as far away and as controlled as possible. Never try to ‘work through it’ or ‘tough it out’ or believe that character and will power will solve your problem.”

Dr. Tennant has extensively studied Cardiac Adrenal Pain Syndrome – a serious threat to IP patients. Pain control is vital to survival, and to have uncontrolled pain creates a serious risk of damage to the heart, and even death. DEATH.

REMS is a serious threat to pain patients. Such regulation, ironically, could lead to death, due to uncontrolled pain. If the goal is to reduce deaths, then why on earth would you keep treatment from those who genuinely need it, for their very survival?

I hope you will understand, based on the many concerned citizens who have reached out to you, that the REMS program is not going to work. It wasn’t well-conceived or thought through. It may work for certain patients, but it would prove a huge detriment to those who suffer with conditions like Intractable Pain. I wish there was an easy answer. Believe me, it would make so many lives easier. But, because there is not a quick fix, the FDA should not further involve themselves in the treatment of patients, because they simply have no business trying to ‘protect’ people when they don’t fully understand the treatment of pain.

Like many others, I have done what I can to help the pain community. I have worked with many pain patients as well as pain management doctors. I offer products to help make lives easier.

Like many of those utilizing my site, I suffer with Intractable Pain. Unless you know someone with IP, or you treat patients with IP, you cannot possibly understand the difficulty in treating these patients and finding a regimen that will work for them. We already live much shorter lives than the rest of the world. Why make the time we have here any harder?

Please stop trying to regulate pain medication. It’s simply too complex for a government agency to control without seriously harming its citizens.

Most Sincerely,
Heather Grace
ThePainStore.com
& Intractable Pain ‘Survivor’

Treating Numbness and Nerve Pain - Without Prescription Medication

by Heather Grace

Living in Misery and Pain, Without Relief

When I was injured in 1999, no one could have told me to expect to be in a place of serious hopelessness, anger and fear about my future. I didn't know that I would be seriously contemplating whether it was realistic to expect any sort of recovery. I wasn't sure if I would work again, feel good again, have any sense of happiness. It was as if the dark clouds rolled in and surrounded me, and there was no sunshine breaking through those clouds.

I even thought about suicide, because the pain was so intense, so overpowering. The doctors that treated me seemed to act like it was either my fault somehow, or I was faking. It was maddening.

Finally, I found an excellent doctor in January 2007. He would change my life forever. Different than the other doctors I had seen, he listened to me, asked questions and treated me as an individual. My symptoms actually made sense to him... I had Intractable Pain: "A severe, constant pain that is not curable by any known means and which causes a bed or house-bound state and early death if not adequately treated. It causes adverse biologic affects on the body's cardiovascular, hormone and neurologic systems." (IntractablePainDisease.com)

The Wonders of GABA

When I began seeing my new physician, I was taking Lyrica in an effort to address my nerve symptoms. I had excruitiating numbness that made it nearly impossible to sleep. While it had helped somewhat, there were drawbacks. The medication was expensive and I was experiencing side-effects. Lyrica made me really dizzy and tired. At times, I felt faint. My new doctor made an immediate change to my treatment. He introduced me to a neurotransmitter called GABA--also called gamma aminobutyric acid. Then, he gave me some shocking news about Lyrica (generic name Pregabalin or Pre-GABA-lin). Lyrica is a GABA analogue. This means it increases the availability of GABA in the body. By taking Lyrica, I was using a synthetic drug to do what GABA did naturally. I was shocked! I had no idea that there was a natural way to do what Lyrica did. Lyrica and several other medications that are taken for nerve pain actually work on the GABA in the body. So, we made the switch. Within 30 days, I had a lot of success with GABA. It was the first truly miraculous over-the-counter product I had tried. My doctor helped me to see that better relief WAS possible, and that the answer to my suffering wouldn't come solely from a prescription bottle!

After several months of taking GABA, it had helped me a great deal. However, I still had numbness that was occasionally bad enough to wake me from a sound sleep. This was nothing compared to the nightly battle I had to get comfortable previously; numbness so severe I could not sleep even an hour at a time. Even if this degree of nerve pain was something I had to live with, I was willing to accept it--I had come so far. Instead, my doctor had a wonderful surprise for me... He recommended Taurine. I had no idea what it was at first, but I soon read all I could about it.

My Taurine/GABA Miracle

Taurine is a conditionally essential amino acid which is found in most tissues of the body, especially throughout the nervous system. Taurine is well known for its role in neurotransmitter activity and its relaxing effect on the mood. Taurine is important in skeletal muscle, the heart and nervous system.

Taurine is important for those who are very physically active, in addition to its benefits for those who have experienced a serious injury, like me.

Taurine is beneficial to athletes because it maintains electrolyte balance, but it's also essential to people with nerve injuries. Because it is a precursor to GABA, it helps calm the nerves. And, as an amino acid, it helps prevent muscle wasting, weakness and diminished mental capacity associated with low protein intake. By taking Taurine and GABA combined for about 45 days, I went from waking up maybe once a week due to numbness and/or what I call 'nerve pain' to sleeping soundly nearly every night, for four hours at a time.

For someone with my degree of injury, it was mind-blowing, and it seemed so simple. Things that naturally occur in our bodies get depleted. In order to get back to the health we used to have, we supplement these with an inexpensive bottle of the very same thing!

These two supplements have been the greatest, most surprising miracle in my pain treatment. I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT MYSELF, but they work amazingly well for nerve pain.

Combining these two supplements has taken away my constant painful numbness and nerve irritation. It no longer impacts me all day every day, like it once did. When I overwork my body, or put myself in situations that are overwhelming and/or painful, I do experience flare ups. This is part of life with a serious neurological injury. However, my condition is now liveable. I've tried them separately, but believe I get the greatest benefit by taking them both. I feel more like myself again! If you have nerve symptoms, you owe it to yourself to try GABA and/or Taurine. You will need to give them at least 30 days to see an effect, and 60 to get a more complete idea of what they will do for you. And remember, by reducing the numbness, they significantly reduce pain.

Recommended directions from a renowned pain doctor, in his recent handbook (see below): Take 500 mg, 4 times daily. This recommendation is for uncontrolled pain. If pain is fairly well controlled, and other remedies are being taken, you may reduce the dose.

* Source: 2009, "What To Do While Looking For A Good Pain Doctor"

Synthetic vs. The Real Thing

Why did Pfizer decide to produce Lyrica? I believe they saw the benefits of GABA and decided to release a synthetic version. The medication is prescribed for diabetic nerve pain, post-herpetic neuralgia, fibromyalgia and even anxiety. When it was released, the medication cost $800 per month. Unlike natural GABA or Taurine, Lyrica also has a far greater potential for side-effects. And, when do these side-effect not sound scary? Because I was prescribed Lyrica before the natural treatments, I know how it stacks up against GABA and Taurine. To me, there is simply NO comparison. The pharma industry would love to sweep these supplements under the rug. Synthetics are the only way they can make money. Please, don't be fooled by cheap imitations. You owe it to yourself to get the best treatment possible for your nerve pain. Why not check out Lyrica's site for complete details on the prescription option? The Lyrica web site has a great interactive assessment tool, to discover whether you have nerve pain and would benefit from treatment with Lyrica, or with natural options like GABA or Taurine. See http://www.lyrica.com/main_assess_my_pain.aspx. Below the assessment, you will also see several paragraphs of scary side effects that come with taking a prescription like Lyrica, instead of the natural option. It makes you think, doesn't it? That's why I recommend Taurine and GABA so highly, over any prescription synthetic.

The good news is, you don't have to take my word for it. Try Taurine for around $7 and GABA for about $10 per bottle at any online health store. What do you have to lose? Better pain management and a serious reduction in nerve pain await you! My miracle can be your miracle too.

Welcome Pain Sufferers! Let's Blog Away...

ThePainStore.com's Blog - For Pain Sufferers, By A Pain Sufferer!

by Heather Grace

I'm happy to welcome you to the very first blog, brought to you by ThePainStore.com! As someone who has been dealing with serious pain since late 1999, I know what you're going through. What's more, I want to help!

This site is open to everyone who has dealt with pain, or is currently suffering through it, trying to find the bright spots in some very difficult days. If you're dealing with pain, you know... finding something, ANYTHING that helps relieve the pain is vital!

Having been in pain since 1999, relief has been a crapshoot. I've dealt with 'the system' of doctors who are too busy to care, who are suspicious, who think there's no reason to still be in pain, who ignore the signs of suffering, including MRIs and X-Rays, and offer little more than aspirin to treat severe pain. It's truly exasperating!

And, over the years, I have tried a zillion different products. Most of them were garbage! But finally, in January 2007, I started working with an excellent pain doctor, someone who knows what he's doing. I got my diagnosis and from there, everything was very organized. We experimented with various options, both prescription and over-the-counter products. It's been over a year since I found a treatment plan that works for me!!! Yippee! (Read More on My Story)

I cannot tell you what it's like to have a serious reduction in my pain! The only word that comes to mind is "MIRACLE." Yes, I am still in pain. But, it's no longer pain that's a "10" on a 10-point scale.

I am able to think, to write, to smile. I have bad days as well as good, just like anyone else. But, when I am having a bad day, I have many options to reduce my pain -- options I never would've known about until recently!

Ever since I've experienced 'pain management,' I've been thinking: What can I do with this little piece of success in treating my pain? It seems so obvious! Share the answers with others.

It shouldn't be a mystery -- should it? While not all treatments work for every person who tries them, by providing access to all of the tools I've had access to, and giving the 'why' behind them, I think pain management is possible for everyone who visits this blog as well as ThePainStore.com. I truly do.

And, in addition to offering these products, I will be available to answer questions (as a layperson, of course!) who has been where you most likely are. If I can give any advice that applies to everyone dealing with pain, it's this: NEVER give up. You must be your own advocate and keep going, no matter what. Even if a treatment option seems outlandish, it can't hurt to try it. If you find something that works well, see what similar options may work even better. Can you take more of that particular product? Would adding another ingredient to augment that product possibly help it work better? This is called a 'potentiator,' by the way!

Because I suffered from late 1999 until early 2007 without a diagnosis, I was a basket case. No one else should have to suffer this fate. Having answers makes me want to help as many people as I can. So, that's why I'm here. Together, we can find some answers to your pain management questions. Stay tuned for useful information on products, and why they work.

Feel free to contribute your experiences with various over-the-counter products, as well as prescription medications. In the coming months, this site will be filled with my experiences, and hopefully, yours as well. Thanks for visiting, and please, come back soon!

Remember, pain management is possible -- and the more you are your own advocate, the better equipped you are to find real answers and REAL RELIEF! (Read Articles and Information on ThePainStore.com)