We were skeptical, but we did a trial of Scrambler Therapy. It had been cleared for safety by the FDA in 2009. We got interested in Scrambler Therapy because we thought it MIGHT help CIPN patients, and Scrambler Therapy appeared to be non-toxic. Scrambler Therapy (marketed as Calmare™ therapy in the United States) is a new type of pain relief that uses a rapidly changing electrical impulse to send a “non-pain” signal along the same pain fibers that are sending the “pain” stimulus. What is Scrambler Therapy, and How Does it Work? The pain after chest surgery, or mastectomy, or radiation. The pain after shingles, “post-herpetic neuropathy” that can last for years. The pain from a pinched nerve leaving a collapsed or damaged vertebra, shooting down the leg. Of course, there are other neuropathic pains that oncologists know all too well. Only one drug is proven to help, duloxetine (Cymbalta), with a reduction in pain of about 1 point on a 10 point scale. There are no drugs proven to prevent it, and alpha-lipoic acid, Vitamin A, natural products, L-carnitine – things that help in other neuropathies – were no better than placebo. We both were part of the American Society of Clinical Oncology panel that made national clinical practice guidelines for CIPN.
Preventing or treating CIPN has been frustrating. For many people it is just an inconvenience, and goes away in between chemo cycles and abates after treatment. It starts in the longest nerves that go to the hands and feet first, then progresses upstream. Our patients describe constant burning or pins-and-needles pain, with numbness and tingling. Pain has come to the attention of most oncologists because we CAUSE it with chemotherapy agents we call it chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).įor the unfortunate 40-70% of chemo patients who get CIPN, it can range from being a nuisance to being life-destroying. The pain pathways in the spinal cord and the brain actually get bigger and more active neurologists call this “wind-up.” There has been some damage to the nerve endings, and they are continuing to send the “pain” impulse when it is not doing you any good. But sometimes, the pain signal gets stuck in the “on” position, even though your hand has healed. After that, usually the pain goes away and you can then blame your son-in-law for leaving the hot plate on. Then, the pain comes – very localized – such that you can plunge the hand into cold water. The way we think of it, pain is about the most protective instinct and impulse known to humans! If you touch a hot plate, you retract your hand even before you actually feel the pain. Charles Loprinzi What is neuropathic pain, from the non-expert oncologist’s point of view? About Peripheral Neuropathy Menu Toggleīy Dr.E-Bike Tour Across The U.S.: Donate One Cent Per Mile!.EBike Tour Across The U.S.: News and Updates.Plan a Fundraiser / Support a Fundraiser.Peripheral Neuropathy Research Registry – Researchers.Peripheral Neuropathy Patient Education.
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