Change in Pain medication intake
Time frame: Before each cream is first applied, 7 days later, and for mannitol cream 1,2 and 3,months
Number of pills taken for pain in one day. Will decrease as the pain intensity decreases. Write the number of tablets that you took: 1. Tylenol/acetaminophen\_\_\_\_\_\_, 2. Anti-inflammatory medication like Advil/ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, Voltaren, Aleve\_\_\_\_\_\_, 3. Tylenol or ASA (acetylsalicylic acid) plus narcotic like Tylenol 3, or 292 or Tramacet (acetaminophen/tramadol) \_\_\_\_\_\_, 4. Narcotic like morphine, hydromorphone/dilaudid, fentanyl, Demerol, tramadol\_\_\_\_\_\_, 5. Cannabis, marijuana, or pot\_\_\_\_\_\_, The total in each category will be added to calculate the total number of tablets taken in 24 hours.
Change in Alcohol intake
Time frame: Before each cream is first applied, 7 days later, and for mannitol cream 1,2 and 3 months
Number of alcoholic drinks in one day. May decrease as the pain intensity decreases. Write down the total number of alcoholic drinks you had in the last 24 hours:how many glasses of wine \_\_\_\_\_\_ glasses of hard liquor\_\_\_\_\_\_ bottles of beer\_\_\_\_\_\_. The total number of glasses will be recorded.
Change in questions from the brief pain inventory score
Time frame: Before each cream is first applied, 7 days later, and for mannitol cream 1,2 and 3 months
The total from the following questions will be recorded to measure how much their pain is interfering with their lives: Circle one number. In the last 24 hours, how much has your pain interfered with your: General activity:, Mood: Walking ability: Normal work: (includes both work outside the home and housework) Relations with other people: Sleep: Enjoyment of life: Each of these will be scored as follows: does not interfere 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 completely interferes. The scores added up. This sum should decrease as the pain decreases.
Change in PHQ-9 (Personal health questionnaire, 9 questions) Score
Time frame: Before each cream is first applied, 7 days later, and for mannitol cream 1,2 and 3 months
Patients will fill the PHQ - 9 score. http://phqscreeners.com/pdfs/02\_PHQ-9/English.pdf The sum of the answers from this questionnaire, which is used to measure the degree of depression, may decrease as the pain intensity decreases.
Change in Method of cream application
Time frame: when each cream is first applied, 7 days later, and for mannitol cream 1,2 and 3 months
Patients will describe whether they use cling wrap (4), gentle applicator (3) or rubbing in gently (2) or vigourous rubbing (1)
Change in effect and side effects of the cream
Time frame: Daily for the 14 days, of the crossover study, then at 1,2 and 3 months
How many times did you apply the cream today?\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Circle one number. How bad was your pain?.. Before you applied the cream? NRS 0-10 1hour after you applied the cream? NRS 0-10 Did the cream relieve your pain? No □ if Yes □ in how many minutes?\_\_\_\_ For how many hours was your pain relieved?\_\_\_\_ Did you experience a side effect from the cream? No □ if Yes □ What was it?\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Any comments?\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Satisfaction from cream use
Time frame: Three months after use of mannitol cream was started.
How satisfied were you with the use of this cream? Not at all satisfied 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 extremely satisfied
Change in pain score from mannitol cream use to mannitol and menthol cream use
Time frame: 1st measurement Three months after use of mannitol cream was started 2nd measurement one month after mannitol and menthol cream started
Maximum pain score after 3 months of mannitol cream use compared to maximum pain score after one month of mannitol and menthol cream use