often ignored.


Medications can Create More Inflammation Medications can be very helpful and necessary; at least


until the root cause of the pain is found and properly treated. When not judiciously used however, some of the most common medications can sometimes worsen the underlying condition. For example, 70% of people using of NSAIDS like ibuprofen


(Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren) and naproxen (Naprosyn), on a long term basis can get ulcers, creating permeability prob- lems like leaky gut1,2 - a condition where the lining of the gut is overly permeable and allows undigested foods, toxins and bacteria to enter the bloodstream. The irony is that the inflammation being treated with these anti-inflammatory medications can allow those unwanted sub- stances in the bloodstream to worsen the inflammation. This can create a need for stronger medications to reduce the additional inflammation caused by the anti-inflammatories . Another example is opioid medications like codeine, hydro-


codone (Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet) and morphine (MSiR, MS-Contin, Roxanol, Kadian and oramorph) can result in depres- sion, constipation, sexual dysfunction and even a paradoxical heightened sensitivity to pain, referred to in the literature as opioid-induced hyperalgesia or OIH3,4,5. Yes, you read that correctly. These studies published in the


mainstream literature in peer reviewed journals are essentially saying the opioids we are using to eliminate pain, in addition to all those other potential side effects, may be making us more sensitive to pain. And if this isn’t bad enough, a study from the prestigious


British Medical Journal found that chronic reliance on sleeping pills like zolpidem (Ambien) or eszopiclone (Lunesta) and other benzodiazepines, barbiturates and sedative antihistamines not only had a “significant elevation of incident cancer” but they also shortened their lifespan. The BMJ study found that patients “receiving hypnotic prescriptions was associated with greater


than threefold increased hazards of death even when prescribed <18 pills/year.6” For their short term use, the benefits of using these medica-


tions can certainly outweigh the risks, especially when judi- ciously prescribed by your caring physician - until the root cause of your pain is identified and properly treated. Granted, there are some people whose underling cause of pain may never be iden- tified. But we will never know this until we do our Sherlock Holmes work.


In the interest of honesty and transparency it is important to be perfectly clear that although side effects of traditional medica- tions were only discussed, even the most natural treatments and supplements can also have significant side effects when practiced incorrectly, and even when practiced correctly.


Treating “Brain on Fire” A good rule of thumb when taking medications, supplements


or doing any intervention is to ask yourself if the benefits outweigh their risks and whether or not it is addressing the root cause of your pain. The best way of treating Brain on Fire on a long term basis


is by eliminating its source. This often involves working with a team of traditional and integrative practitioners. There is a place for medications and surgery and there is a place for alternative medicine. Every practitioner has their par- ticular expertise. Once we all let go of our biases and all join together like a team of firefighters, we improve the likelihood of eradicating your fire so that you can return to living a normal life.


Mitch Bloom, MD is an Integrative Medical Doctor at Integrative Therapies in Greensboro. He specializes in treating root causes of pain in order to help achieve safe, long term results. He is a pioneer in the emerging field of Regenerative Medicine. Please visit IntegrativePainMD.com for more information or call 366- 944-9400 for an appointment. See ad on page 33.


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