Chronic Pain after Stroke (Central Post-stroke
Pain)
This section about chronic pain after a
stroke is not intended as a comprehensive source of medical
information, but as a hub for links to other more detailed
sources.
If you find this section
useful, please support our Foundation by clicking
here.
A stroke is the result of loss of the blood supply to a part
of the brain and can result in weakness and slurred speech.
Approximately 5% of people who have a stroke will develop
nerve pain from the stroke (CPSP). The onset of pain may occur
at the time of the stroke but often occurs several months
later.
The pain is often described as burning, and also throbbing,
shooting or stabbing. The pain is felt in a part of the body
affected by the stroke. In this area there is often a loss
of feeling.
The precise cause of this pain is unknown. Because the brain
is damaged it feels pain when it should be feeling a sensation
that is not painful.
Common painkillers have no effect on this pain. Some medications
developed for epilepsy and depression also have the effect
of reducing pain after strokes. This is quite separate from
their use for depression or epilepsy! Relaxation and distraction
can also be very helpful.
In 20% of patients the pain gets better over a period of
years. In 30% of these, there is a lessening of pain over
the first year.
If you have a pain problem, which needs treatment you
should contact your own doctor who can refer you to a pain
clinic in your area. This site is for information only and
cannot be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of
your own doctor. The Pain Relief Foundation is not able to
offer individual medical advice.
Dealing With Pain Series: Pain After Stroke
The Pain Relief Foundation has produced it's own leaflet
containing some simple information on pain after stroke
which is available to download in PDF format:-
N.B. Requires Adobe
Acrobat Reader to view. If you don't have
the Acrobat reader you can download it here
|
Support Organisations in the UK:
[top]
|
