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GULF COAST
PAIN MANAGEMENT

Compassionate, Quality Pain Management
 

Office Hours 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Phone: (727) 789-0891 office
Fax: (727) 789-1570
E-mail: info@gulfcoastpain.com

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Gulf Coast Pain Management
CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT
 

Introduction - Many people still believe that the "grin and bear it" idea of pain management,
Lynne Carr Columbus, D.O. wants you to know about all the modern pain management
techniques now available.

"There is still perception that a good patient is one who doesn't complain a lot about pain," says
B. Eliot Cole, M.D., of the American Academy of Pain Management. "Some patients feel that
way, too. But we can now control just about any kind of pain, including chronic pain and the
severe pain associated with advanced cancers."

What's New? - New drug-delivery systems have improved pain management. In the past,
doctors have struggled to maintain consistent levels of drugs in patients without causing side
effects such as drowsiness and digestive problems. To combat these problems, scientists have
developed transdermal patches that let drugs seep through the skin, nasal sprays, and electronic
devices - some, the size of a wristwatch - the use pulses of electricity through the skin. Some
new pills allow drugs to leach out slowly over periods of 12 hours.

There are also new drugs for old pains. Migraines can be treated quickly with agents from the
triptan family of drugs, using nasal sprays or pills that dissolve on the tip of the tongue. A new
class of drugs called Cox-2 inhibitors have been shown to reduce arthritic inflammation and pain
without causing stomach distress.

But pain management isn't just about drugs. A variety of factors contribute to chronic pain, such
as tension, anxiety, and physical deterioration. Because of that, Lynne Carr Columbus, D.O.
may recommend changes in diet and environment. Gulf Cost Pain Management provides
patients with suggestions for relaxation techniques, mild exercise programs and when needed,
counseling.

According to Lynne Carr Columbus, D.O. "medical schools offer little training in pain
management. I have good physician colleagues who fear prescribing adequate pain control
with narcotics because of the possibility of misuse and drug addictions that could potentially
lead to investigations by the DEA. Unfortunately, as we all know through the media, some
chronic and terminally ill patients prefer death to living with inadequately controlled pain."
Recent legislation, however, requires primary care physicians to inform patients of all pain
management options available.

"A patient who wants to commit suicide to get relief from pain is not receiving the kind of
care he or she needs," says Columbus. "That care is available - patients and their families
need to demand it."

 

Painlessly enjoy what you love doing most.
Gulf Coast Pain Management


©2000 - 2010 Gulf Coast Pain Management
Lynne Carr Columbus, D.O.


3890 Tampa Road Suite 308
Morton Plant Mease East Lake Outpatient Center
Palm Harbor, Florida
34684