Managing variable levels of pain

[loobyloo]

I manage without drugs for pain relief much of the time, but occasionally have pain that is difficult to manage (headaches in particular). I prefer to only use pain relief on the days when I really need to, but conventional painkillers (paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen) don't help.
I understand that TENS machines work by moderating/suppressing pain signals in the brain. Is there any evidence of their effective use in pain relief in CFS?
Thanks.

[Dr Charles Shepherd]

Firstly, there are a number of prescription only drug treatments that may be worth considering to help manage pain. These are summarised in our information leaflet on pain relief and in our booklet: ME/CFS/PVFS - An Exploration of the Key Clinical issues. They could be discussed with your GP. The MEA can send a free copy of this booklet to your doctor.

Secondly, there are various non drug options that could also be considered - acupuncture, TENS machine etc - for pain relief. Feedback to The MEA indicates that some people do find a TENS machine helpful for localised musculoskeletal pain - so this is something that you could certainly discuss with your GP before going out and purchasing one. TENS machines are also covered in our leaflet on pain relief.

Thirdly, we have been discussing elsewhere on this forum the way in which headaches in ME/CFS can have a migrainous character and if so this can also affect the management

MEA website and literature order form: http://www.meassociation.org.uk

[Dr Charles Shepherd]

Useful information on TENS machines:

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/tens-machines

[Adam Eason]

You may like to read some of the related posts I added in the fibromyalgia section with regards to the clinical applications of hypnosis and self-hypnosis as an adjunct to your ongoing pain treatment - they are equally relevant to your query here.

Best wishes, Adam.