REMEDY
Welcome to Remedy, a blog by U.S. Pain Foundation. Remedy features information about promising treatments, tips and strategies for self-management, unique perspectives from patients, clinicians, and caregivers–and much more. To submit an article idea, email us.
Please note: U.S. Pain Foundation does not endorse any specific treatment options; blog posts are educational only. Views expressed by authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization.
Looking to try CBD? Read this first
By: Matt Parks The surging popularity of a young cannabidiol (CBD) industry has inspired incredible success stories and with it, incredible misunderstanding among consumers. Whether you struggle from chronic pain, need some relief after a hard workout, or are looking for some stress relief, here...
Finding your way back
By: Ellen Lenox Smith When life is moving forward, discovering you have been diagnosed with a condition that will be with you forever and permanently change the course of your life is heartbreaking and overwhelming. It took me over a year to begin to put the broken pieces of my puzzle into some...
A Q&A about telehealth with Dr. Jeffrey Fudin
In August, we hosted a question and answer session about telehealth and accessing pain care during the COVID-19 pandemic with Jeffrey Fudin, PharmD, DAIPM, FCCP, FASHP, FFSMB, a pharmacist who specializes in pain care. Below, we recap some of his answers -- and share his responses to a few...
My journey of finding a health care provider
By: Brandy Garcia Finding health care providers that understand chronic pain can be daunting. I started having head pain when I was a teenager, it took me over ten years to find providers that I trust. I have now been with my neurologist for 11 years. The process was not easy, for many reasons,...
My silent wait
By: Ellen Lenox Smith During this pandemic, many of you are experiencing what those of us have had to learn to live with a chronic condition. You are wearing masks, washing hands frequently, isolated from many, avoiding stores, crowds, and learning to live an altered life until this pandemic...
How my family helps me through my pain
By: Brandy Garcia My children, husband, and I have been living with chronic migraine for over 10 years. I am the one diagnosed with chronic migraine, but my disease affects everyone in my home. I always knew my pain affected my daily life, what I did not know was how much it impacted my husband...
COVID-19 magnifies stress on caregivers
By: Stu Smith Over the past few months, the American public has been provided a great deal of scientific and medical information relative to COVID-19. We have learned from the nation’s best scientific minds that for the overwhelming majority of the general population, this disease presents a...
Personal perspective: Mia Maysack on the need for better care for migraine and headache diseases
In the video below, U.S. Pain ambassador Mia Maysack talks about many issues all patients can relate to – from the struggle of keeping up with medical appointments, to step therapy, to unaffordable treatment options. The video was recorded as part of our INvisible Project: State Advocacy Virtual...
Tips for talking to your doctor via telemedicine
by Gwenn Herman, LCSW, DCSW Many patients are trying out telemedicine for the first time as a result of COVID-19. But figuring out the technology can be overwhelming, and you may find it difficult to get your concerns and needs across in a remote setting. Below, I've outlined some tips for how to...
My pain relief with cannabis
By: Ellen Lenox Smith When it was first suggested I try medical marijuana to see if it would relieve the pain being experienced, I thought the doctor was nuts. Back in 2007, I had never once even thought about that as an option. I had tried marijuana recreationally in college and hated the feeling...
Perseverance over pain: How a clinical trial changed one patient’s life
According to Tufts University, 37 percent of research sites do not meet their enrollment goals for scientific studies. But enrollment is critical to clinical research and uncovering potential treatment advances. Jennie Latson, a 39-year-old from Houston, TX, has battled the pain and burden of...
“Catastrophizing”: A form of pain shaming
How the buzzword “catastrophizing” stigmatizes people with chronic pain By Gwenn Herman, LCSW, DCSW The first time I heard the word "catastrophizing" being used to describe the pain experience on a national level was at a chronic pain lecture at the National Institutes of Health. It sent shivers...