When Arthritis Requires More Than Pain Management

Ellen Jacobson has been an arthritis sufferer for years and it made her wonder how her children remembered their childhood, and more specifically, their mother. “My second oldest daughter said she remembers lots of laughing and singing, so I must have been able to maintain well enough in front of the kids,” said Ellen, 74. She raised four children all while suffering through aches and pains associated with osteoarthritis and scoliosis. The pain became chronic by the late 1980’s and in 1996 she made the decision to have a spinal fusion. She developed arachnoiditis as a complication of the procedure.

Arachnoiditis is a debilitating condition which causes the patient to experience strong stinging, burning pain and neurological problems. This condition is caused by the inflammation of the arachnoid lining, one of the three linings surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The inflammation also irritates, scars, and causes binding of the nerve roots and blood vessels. Arachnoiditis may result from a number of factors: an infection from bacteria or viruses, an irritation from chemicals, as a result of a direct injury to the spine, or complication from spinal surgery. This was the cause in Ellen’s case.

Safety Tips for Driving While Taking Medications

Many medications for pain, insomnia, and other conditions have a strong effect on the body.  Side effects like drowsiness, dizziness and confusion are not uncommon – and it’s important to take special precautions if you know you’ll be driving.

The most important precaution to take when driving while taking medication is to assume that any medication you are taking could impair your driving.  This means that you carefully consider your medications and follow these safety tips no matter what.

The Health Wire

Fighting Seasonal Allergies

Even mild allergies can interfere with a person's life and enjoyment of the warmer weather, so it's important to take measures to prevent suffering. Talk to your doctor and try different treatments until you find the right one for you. Here are some comon treatments to discuss with your doctor.

 

- Try to avoid exposure to the triggers for your allergy symptoms. Use the air conditioner rather than leaving the windows open to limit exposure.

 

- Over-the-counter antihistamine medications (like Benadryl) are relatively inexpensive and effective, but they can cause drowsiness.

 

- A doctor can prescribe corticosteroid or antihistamine medications in the form of pills, nasal sprays, or eyedrops.

 

- Allergy shots provide a long-term solution to a chronic problem not well-controlled by medication.

Do you know a loved one who suffers from pain?

Call TCPC at 952-841-2345