Effects of Smoking on Neuropathic Pain in Two People With Spinal Cord Injury

This study describes the relationship between smoking and neuropathic pain in two individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Both individuals experienced increased neuropathic pain when smoking. The first subject experienced increased pain when smoking and relief when abstaining, but the pain returned with a nicotine patch. The second subject experienced immediate pain relief upon quitting smoking, but the pain returned when smoking resumed. The findings suggest that nicotine may play a role in neuropathic pain in people with SCI, but further research is needed to confirm this.

• 1
  The first subject reported increased neuropathic pain when smoking (7/10) compared to when not smoking (4/10), with pain subsiding 30 minutes after smoking cessation.
• 2
  The first subject experienced increased pain with a nicotine patch, suggesting nicotine's involvement.
• 3
  The second subject reported complete elimination of neuropathic pain after quitting smoking for one month, but the pain returned upon resuming smoking.