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Cryotherapy or Cryoanalgesia

Posted , 7 users are following.

john86790
john86790

Has anyone tried or heard about Cryotherapy or Cryoanalgesia. I read one report about very effective use of freezing on the affected nerve pathways, but can't find anyone in the UK who offers it for PHN.

1 like, 20 replies

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  • jim66082
    jim66082 john86790

    Posted

    Hi John:

    I asked about procedures re: freezing or burning to try to destroy the faulty nerve pathways.  Was told there is a method re: thermal destruction but it is radical and only used on terminal patients.  Also told by an ocologist perhaps radiation treatment to destroy the nerves.  Havent heard of freezing.  These methods are so extreme the medical community doesn't really want to go there.  For people in pain - one will try anything when desparate.  j

    • croft4Penny
      croft4Penny jim66082

      Posted

      I tried cryotherapy to freeze the nerve connection. It didn't help at all. It didn't do any harm either.

      I saw my neurologist yesterday and asked him about marijuana, but you have to be at death's door to get it where I live. He thought it would be worth a try.

      Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the link as it was to a site unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.

      http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

    • jim66082
      jim66082 croft4Penny

      Posted

      I take cesamet which is a artificial marijuana like drug - but doesn't have the full range of effects.  I have asked my recent pain specialist if he would prescribe medical marijuana along with a number of other options including prednisone which I found did actually help with pain management.  I am still waiting for a reply from my Jan letter to him.
    • john86790
      john86790 jim66082

      Posted

      Hi Jim,

      This is the research I was referring to. The nerve is not frozen but controlled "cold" applied. What do you think? 

      john86790

      http://www.researchgate.net/publication/51149542_Cryoanalgesia_for_post-herpetic_neuralgia_a_new_treatment

      Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the article that was pasted in full here as it may breach other website's copyright. Please do not paste whole articles in posts. You can add a link to it and this will be approved as long as it complies with rules for posting links.

    • john86790
      john86790

      Posted

      Actually it was not the full article, it was the abstract.
    • jim66082
      jim66082 john86790

      Posted

      That is very interesting.  In terms of mechanism I had tried bloodletting/acupunture from a chinese MD that practices both types of medicines.  My assumption was impacting the nerves so that they regenerate/change.  It didn't work unfort.   I have had nitrogen cryogenics for dermatology reasons.  If they dont actually kill/freeze the nerve perhaps it is about stressing them and they somehow become more normal.  I am going to take this article to my pain specialist - who still hasn't responded to my letter on other options.  They tend to have their own theories and research avenues which isn't always helpful when it comes to de novo approaches. THANKS.  This is one of the huge benefits of social media and this site.
  • croft4Penny
    croft4Penny john86790

    Posted

    I even contacted this doctor directly to ask if she ever was going to be in the USA or knew of any referalls to doctors who do this in the USA, but she couldn't be of any help.
    • jim66082
      jim66082 croft4Penny

      Posted

      If I knew more about the procedure I would consider paying myself to have it done.  Will see how far I can get here in Canada with our specialists  thx for the update
    • john86790
      john86790 jim66082

      Posted

      Please keep me informed. I don't know anyone in the UK who uses this technique.
  • patricia49047
    patricia49047 john86790

    Posted

    Hi John. Don't know about the cold thing, but I've had PHN 

     for 17 years now and am still on Gabapentin, amitriptyline, Tramadol, and Clonizqpam. This little cocktail helps control the pain somewhat but it's always there. I recently ordered a led deep penetrating light for heat therapy which some have had success with. One more thing to try, so we'll see!

    Patricia

  • charity88170
    charity88170 john86790

    Posted

    Hi John, I just found the same article about Dr Calandria, and am going to see if a dermatologist here in eastern Canada will do it for me. I've had the PHN for 9 yrs....still hoping for a remedy other than the drugs.  How are you now?  Did you find your answer?  Would love to hear!  Charity, NB Canada

    • croft4Penny
      croft4Penny charity88170

      Posted

      I tried a series of cryoanagesia treatments from a restpected dermatologist in New York City. They didn't work. I find the best helpi s from 600 garbapentin every 3 hours and 4% lidocaine creme at night or for very severe attacks.

    • Yossimic
      Yossimic charity88170

      Posted

      My father tried this treatment as well in NYC, didn't work much. Looking for Cryoneurolysis treatments now

    • charity88170
      charity88170 Yossimic

      Posted

      Thank  you, Yossimic and Penny.  I am using medical marijuana, and it helps, much better than the prescription drugs from my Dr, because (once i got the right dose figured out)no side effects, and no withdrawal effects. Here in Canada, it is legal.   But if I can find a good dermatologist near me, I may still try the liquid nitrogen a la Uruguay.  That doctor had SUCH good results!  What is cryoneurolysis?

    • Yossimic
      Yossimic charity88170

      Posted

      Cryoneurolysis is the freezing of the nerve using a needle.

      It is an invasive treatment, as opposed to cryoanalgesia which is just above the skin. 

       

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