Negative experiences can stop painkillers working

[7zark7]

16 February 2011 Last updated at 22:18
[size=+1]Negative experiences can stop painkillers working[/size]
By James Gallagher
Health reporter, BBC News

A patient's belief that a drug will not work can become a self fulfilling prophecy, according to researchers.

They showed the benefits of painkillers could be boosted or completely wiped out by manipulating expectations.

The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, also identifies the regions of the brain which are affected.

Experts said this could have important consequences for patient care and for testing new drugs.

Heat was applied to the legs of 22 patients, who were asked to report the level of pain on a scale of one to 100. They were also attached to an intravenous drip so drugs could be administered secretly.

The initial average pain rating was 66. Patients were then given a potent painkiller, remifentanil, without their knowledge and the pain score went down to 55.

They were then told they were being given a painkiller and the score went down to 39.

Then, without changing the dose, the patients were then told the painkiller had been withdrawn and to expect pain, and the score went up to 64.

So even though the patients were being given remifentanil, they were reporting the same level of pain as when they were getting no drugs at all.


Full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12480310

 

[...]

Pain and pain tolerance are different. Opioids aren't always the best remedy for pain, but they are golden when it comes to not giving a shit about moderate pain.

If you're looking for something to diminish the immediate sensation of pain, there may be better options. Ketamine and even high-dose DXM do that for me.

 

[7zark7]

If you're looking for something to diminish the immediate sensation of pain, there may be better options. Ketamine and even high-dose DXM do that for me.

Never experienced DXM, but I agree with Ketamine - it's a fantastic painkiller with relatively few serious side-effects.

 

[brimz]

Ketamine no side -effects . You are joking i hope. Techno Smack as i have heard it called ain't 2 be taken lightly . I've seen teenagers with Cathaters FFS, cos the K has fucked up their urinary tract , it crystalises inside you .

It's a Elephant Tranquiliser FFS



Note: Shit. Sorry brimz - I accidently edited your post instead of quoting it. Shows what getting up too early does to you!

 

[7zark7]

Ketamine no side -effects . You are joking i hope. Techno Smack as i have heard it called ain't 2 be taken lightly . I've seen teenagers with Cathaters FFS, cos the K has fucked up their urinary tract , it crystalises inside you .

I have never heard K called techno smack outside of drug propaganda and I said it has "relatively few serious side-effects" - which is true. Taken in moderation compared to other painkillers (eg: morphine) it is extremely safe and very difficult to overdose on. Even compared to paracetamol, where a 10x dose will most likely cause harm, that sort of dose of K wouldn't be as dangerous.

It's a Elephant Tranquiliser FFS

heh… No. It. Is. Not.

 

[pofacedhoe]

yes but ketamine does destroy bladders in young people. how many of you would fuck someone with a catheter bag? its one thing for old people to have them but for young people it a massive reduction in sex appeal at a time where your sex appeal is highest

that is a huge negative for me anyway

 

[7zark7]

yes but ketamine does destroy bladders in young people. how many of you would fuck someone with a catheter bag? its one thing for old people to have them but for young people it a massive reduction in sex appeal at a time where your sex appeal is highest

that is a huge negative for me anyway

It is supposed that it's is only a risk to people who are predisposed and/or people who abuse the drug without taking precautions (I believe keeping yourself hydrated would minimise the risk).

Taken in moderation and at small, but effective, painkilling doses - as opposed to repeated larger, recreational doses, I don't think that urinary tract conditions would be an issue. Indeed, it has been used medicinally for years without such issues - and only a problem when it is abused in large amounts. Furthermore, the bladder problems have only been reported with 'street' ket - not with controlled prescribed doses.