4 replies to this topic

[javaftper]

Hello,

Like a lot of sci people I suffer from chronic neuropathic pain mainly in my hands and arms.

I was googling neuropathic pain earlier and came across a trial/study that was undertaken with diabetic patients suffering from chronic neuropathic pain in their feet. It was only a small study and I'm unsure of the credentials of the institution carrying out the trial however it would be interesting to know if anyone has heard of all received Botox injections for nerve pain relief in SCI patients?

Thanks,
James

[barbara9999]

I am scheduled to receive botox injections for my right palm and fingers on Monday. My dr, (a pain specialist) got authorization from Medicare for injections 4 x a year. I gather they are quite expensive but fortunately Medicare and my supp insurance pays for everything. My dr. told me months ago that we would start on bacolfen (sp?) but i can not tolerate more than 5mg 3x day (more makes me dizzy and sick) and there was the possibility of botox which is suppose to relax the muscle. The effects are suppose to last 3 months or longer. I also have paralysis and spasticity in my right leg but somehow this is manageable and i can stretch and walk. The hand is the most irritating.

[barbara9999]

got the injections today. It was not painful at all. Dr says it may take about a week to kick in and I will report later about the effect.

[javaftper]

barbara9999, on 09 November 2010 - 05:04 AM, said:

got the injections today. It was not painful at all. Dr says it may take about a week to kick in and I will report later about the effect.

hope you're starting to feel the benefit.

please do report back.

[barbara9999]

its been about a week and a half since the injections and I am not sure that I would do it again. I don't really see much improvement altho the severe tingling has dimenished in the fingers. I have less of a grip with the fingers and this has affected the way I can pick up things with the right hand. also the injections were in the arm (down from the elbow) and now my arm from the elbow to the palm is more stiff. The hand itself is still stiff. I guess I had this expectation that my right hand would feel more normal (like the left hand) but this has not happened. My dr. got authorization from Medicare for 4 treatmetns for the year and this paid for. I guess the treatment (injections) run about $700 each. I don't have any pain but it is just so irritating to have a stiff arm and palm and three fingers. The thumb and next finger are working normally, and allow me to use the computer and I have gotten pretty fast despite this, can hold a fork and spoon pretty easily and can write with a pen including my signature but slowly. It is the same as before the Botox treatment.

In regards to Botox and nerve pain -- I did not have any nerve pain in the hand and I had the Botox injections thinking it would make the hand more relaxed and feel more "normal". It is possible that there was nerve pain but I am on Lyrica (75 mg 3 x day) and do not feel any pain.