CENTRAL PAIN SYNDROME, A DEFINITION
compiled by KATIE H. WOZNY [updated 6/24/03]
Sinus headaches are a pain. Backaches, toothaches, sprains, strains all cause
pain of some kind, and at some level. We have all experienced some pain at one
time or another in our lives. Some people swear by acetaminophen, others
Ibuprofen, NSAIDS of different forms, all the way up to the big guns of
Narcotics. Most of the pains mentioned previously go away at some point.
But for many of us, there is another pain, one with various names, that stays
with us almost always: We call it Central Pain Syndrome, CPS for short.
Also known as Thalamic Pain Syndrome (Dejerine Roussy), Dejerine-Roussy
Syndrome, Posterior Thalamic Syndrome, Retrolenticular Syndrome, Central
Post-Stroke Syndrome, and often found under.... Neuropathic Pain you may have
heard it referred to by any of these names, or perhaps even something else.
Central Pain Syndrome is a neurological condition, meaning it stays with us,
can affect us all differently, in different places on our bodies, and at
different levels of pain. It is also extremely difficult to diagnose, sometimes
sending the patient to many doctors to find one that believes them, and/or has
even heard of and dealt with and treated this savage pain.
Caused by damage to the central nervous system by stroke, it also includes
thalamus; brainstem; spinal cord injury; MS; reaction to medications; TBI
injuries; and other conditions. [SEE LINK: "Who Gets Central Pain?"]
It can be a steady, sometimes deep burning, aching, cutting, tearing
sensation CPS may be mixed with sudden, excruciating shots of pain. It is often
mixed with other distracting sensations like cold, tingling, a "pins and
needles" effect, a ballooning sensation, throbbing, and the feeling of a dental
probe on a raw nerve.
Intense skin reactions can accompany these symptoms, such as burning,
stretching, tightness, itching, or a crawling feeling that can be irritated by
any light touch, sometimes just the feel of cloth on skin, which can making
dressing an ordeal. Sometimes the touch of a loved one, or family member, in
fun, or love, may often be a way to overwhelm the brain with the pain from CPS.
Sometimes the hands and feet are affected with a numbness that is painful,
and does not offer any relief, only adding to the pain. It is often aggravated
by temperature changes, particularly cold.
It can take months, even years, after a stroke to make it's appearance, well
after the patient thinks they are well on the road to recovery. CPS can often
cause depression, anxiety, anger and frustration.
In some cases, when a person rates the pain as a 9 or 10 on a pain scale, and
there seems to be no relief in sight, no hope or understanding with support,
they may even come to feel that suicide is the only way out. In that way Central
Pain Syndrome can be a life threatening condition.
We have defined the following things that can we called TRIGGERS to start or
increase one's sensations and pain levels: Movement, daily acitivity. ROM
exercising; exposure to sun, cold, breezes, AC, barometer changes, weather..hot
and cold, rain, snow; real pain or swelling, stress, anger, depression. touches
of another person, blanket, clothes,splints; tiredness."SUDDEN MOVEMENTS"..
ie..Yawning and other reflexive involuntary movements like sneezing, BEING
STARTLED, FEAR; a vibration....ie...riding in car
Central Pain Syndrome eGroup:
On-line eGroupDISCUSSION GROUP. Click the link to join ...OR send an e-Mail
to join. Use this site if you would like daily information and
support. Join our growing CPSA membership!
Central Pain Syndrome Message
Board: Drop by for a visit to ask a question or learn more about central pain
syndrome. Here we welcome comments about our CPSA website; questions and
responses about central pain and about the basics of this type of
neuropathic pain. New visitors are welcome!
PainOnline is provided as an additional source for
information about Central Pain Syndrome.
Dejerine-Roussy Syndrome
