The case study in focus delves into the examination and treatment of a patient, by Dr. (Prof) Naresh Dua, Senior Consultant – pain medicine, anesthesiology, and perioperative medicine. He currently serves as a Pain Specialist and Palliative Care Physician at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and previously worked at AIIMS Delhi.
He is an expert in all procedures for pain management and palliative care services and has successfully treated all kinds of pains like cervical, joint, facial, leg, musculoskeletal, and cancer pains, trigeminal neuralgia, etc.
Dr. (Prof) Dua has provided palliative care services to improve the quality of life among patients suffering from chronic conditions and has over 45 national and international medical research publications.
Abstract
Neuropathic pain refers to shooting or burning pain related to the nerves. It can either be continuous and chronic or come and go independently.
Often, treatment methods for specific health problems can lead to this form of pain, such as side effects of some medications, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries. Some neuropathic pain symptoms include shooting, burning, stabbing pain, difficulty in sleeping, emotional issues, spontaneous pain (occurring without a trigger), “pins and needles” feeling, etc.
With powerful ayurvedic medications like Trailokya Vijaya Vati, one can effectively relieve the body’s neuropathic pain and improve function naturally. Let’s examine the following case study to learn more about Vijaya’s analgesic potential.
Case Description: Patient Details and Chief Complaints
The patient, a 45-year-old female, suffered from dermatofibroma. Dermatofibromas are caused by an overgrowth of different cell types in the skin’s dermis (middle layer). They are superficial, fibrous, non-harmful, and non-cancerous tumors.
After undergoing surgery, the patient chiefly complained of intense nerve-related pain in her right leg for over two months. As a result, she couldn’t sleep well. She also faced lancinating pain (pricking or stabbing sensations) at the site where the surgery was performed. The patient also had a history of allergic asthma.
Doctors prescribed her conventional allopathic medicines tab Voveran and tab Pregabalin, a drug used when a patient has intense pain or is bedridden, like nerve pain or vertebrae pain. But these gave her little to no relief.
The Diagnosis
Upon examining and studying the patient’s condition, it was found that she suffered from postoperative neuropathic pain. While most people sustain some sort of acute postoperative pain for a short period, some experience chronic long-term neuropathic pain after surgery.
Such pain can happen through nerve damage, infection, and/or injury to tissues, muscles, or joints. Existing conditions can also cause neuropathic pain, such as
- HIV/AIDS
- Chronic pain disorders like fibromyalgia
- terminal neuralgia
- multiple sclerosis
- multiple myeloma
- rheumatoid arthritis
- spinal cord compression and consequent damage to the nerve fibers due to arthritis
- herniated discs
- thyroid
- shingles
- syphilis, etc.
Sometimes, a nerve is damaged during surgery, thus interrupting communication between the brain and the body. It leads to chronic pain, muscle weakness, and loss of sensation. Nerve inflammation after various surgical procedures and the stretching and compression of the nerves during a medical operation can also cause post-surgical nerve pain.
Mental health issues such as anxiety disorders can be a prominent causative factor for this pain.
Prescribed Treatment
The treatment focused on holistically easing nerve pain and its symptomatic effects on the system. The patient was prescribed one tablet of Trailokya Vijaya Vati twice a day for two weeks.
Outcomes
The patient reported relief as soon as the medication started and was symptom-free within one to two days of the treatment without showing any side effects.
Current Status
After two weeks of the prescribed treatment, the patient is in very good condition and requires no additional medication to maintain well-being after the prescribed regime.
What Makes Trailokya Vijaya Vati So Efficacious?
Trailokya Vijaya Vati is a potent classical Ayurvedic formulation with Vijaya (medical cannabis) as its key ingredient. This herb is revered in Ayurveda due to its robust analgesic properties and other medicinal benefits.
It influences the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system, responsible for processing pain. It allows Vijaya to modulate the body’s pain response, intensity, and consequent effects on other biological systems, thus alleviating the health issue in question.
In a UK study, patients suffering from neuropathic pain for at least three months due to surgery or trauma consumed the herb to ease their condition. The results found that the average daily pain intensity was significantly lower.
The patient in our case study had a history of allergic asthma. Vijaya is an immediate bronchodilator, i.e., it dilates (relaxes) the airways to facilitate breathing. It makes the herb beneficial for asthma and other such allergic diseases.
In addition, this herb’s effects on the brain enable it to ease mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, which are significant causes of chronic neuropathic pain. A 2023 research revealed that the organic compounds in medical cannabis, THC and CBD, are effective for reducing anxiety in people.
A 2020 trial conducted in Canada reports that CBD is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective treatment for conditions like anxiety. It shows little to no side effects and exhibits no potential for dependence or abuse.
Vijaya is also an effective sleep aid and can help people with sleep disorders such as insomnia. A 2022 review showed that over 71% of the patients reported improvements in their sleep after consuming cannabis medications, and nearly 40% of them were able to reduce or completely discontinue their prescription medicines for sleep.
Various studies have also found Vijaya to be beneficial for alleviating side effects of chemotherapy (which is another major cause of nerve pain), such as chemo-induced pain, nausea, vomiting, and cachexia (loss of appetite).
Why Modern Medicine Acknowledges Vijaya for Managing Nerve Pain
A recent review showed that Vijaya is effective for managing neuropathic pain and also a safe mode of treatment compared to conventional drugs.
Prescription painkillers like Voveran only provide mild pain relief for a short period and can cause side effects like headache, nausea, digestive issues (diarrhea, constipation, bloating, etc.), weight loss, and even long-term damage to the liver and kidneys.
Drugs like Pregabalin can lead to blurred vision, double vision, unsteadiness, dizziness, drowsiness, and behavioral issues. In severe cases, they can increase the risk of serious and life-threatening conditions like chronic depression, edema (body swelling), heart failure, and respiratory depression.
Ayurvedic concoctions like Trailokya Vijaya Vati have a high tolerability and safety profile for patients because they contain herbal ingredients. They are easy to consume and offer a natural and comprehensive approach to easing all forms of acute and chronic pain conditions and their symptoms.
Find out more about the classic Trailokya Vijaya Vati, its wide-ranging therapeutic benefits, and how to reduce pain and discomfort by reaching out to Hempstreet and scheduling your consultation with the best Ayurvedic practitioners.
References
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/neuropathic-pain
https://www.healthline.com/health/neuropathic-pain#symptoms
https://www.healthline.com/health/dermatofibromas
https://www.bostontrials.com/what-is-post-surgical-neuropathic-pain/#!/
