Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Carolyn on 20/01/2008 00:44:47

Title: Feeling No Pain
Post by: Carolyn on 20/01/2008 00:44:47

How dangerous is it to not feel pain?

My Dad....the toughest man I know....rarely feels pain.  He just had an angioplasty done and was up and about like nothing happened, he even went hunting the day he got out of the hospital. 

Several years ago, his finger was accidentally amputated (by my husband).  He didn't flinch.  He reached down and picked up the dismembered digit to take to the hospital to be reattached.

He's never had a headache.  He's had a heart attack and didn't know it.


Also, could this be an inherited condition? 

Title: Feeling No Pain
Post by: paul.fr on 20/01/2008 00:50:05

There are people who feel no pain at all something to do with SCN9A channelopathy...or something...I think this may have been discussed on a TNS radio show.

Was that any use...thought not.

Title: Feeling No Pain
Post by: Karen W. on 20/01/2008 00:54:12

I have heard of people who have that problem and it could be pretty dangerous. I thought there was a name for the condition, but I can't remember what it was!

Title: Feeling No Pain
Post by: Karen W. on 20/01/2008 00:55:18

Quote from: paul.fr on 20/01/2008 00:50:05

There are people who feel no pain at all something to do with SCN9A channelopathy...or something...I think this may have been discussed on a TNS radio show.

Was that any use...thought not.

Good Job.. I couldn't think of what they called it!

Title: Feeling No Pain
Post by: paul.fr on 20/01/2008 00:58:58

Ok, i can find nothing searching the podcasts...but here are a few other links...

http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/doc_WTX036594.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17167479?dopt=Abstract

'doing a google' for SCN9A channelopathy gives a few more links

Title: Feeling No Pain
Post by: Carolyn on 20/01/2008 01:13:17

Thanks for the info Paul.

I googled SCN9A channelopathy after reading your first post, so yes, it was helpful.

I had no idea it was such a rare disorder. My Dad is not completely pain free, he does feel some pain, it's just very rare.

He had a tick on his foot once and never felt the pain of the bite or of the infection it caused.  He ended up in the hospital and almost lost his leg.