9 replies to this topic

[fpgirl]

My brother was injured 3 years ago and is C-5 now. He has really bad nerve pain and the whole right side of his body is hypersensitive. He is so depressed and doesn't want to live with so much pain. He has a lot of spasms and says that it feels like his body is burning and that someone is jabbing at him with needles everywhere. He also gets a ton of urinary tract infections because the doctor who put his catheter in put it in the wrong place. He uses a pain pump and lots of other meds, but nothing really helps with his nerve pain. Any advice or suggestions? Thanks

[doublelibra]

Hello- I'm sorry to hear your brother is in so much pain.

Certain anti-seizure drugs such as Carbamazapine or Gabapentin are said to help with stabbing or shooting pain.

I find narcotics don't help much at all. Maybe you don't care about the pain, but increasing tolerance and the risk of addiction make these a very poor choice.

Counseling could be helpful, because it is very hard for many people to grieve the loss and adjust to this new life. If your mood improves, the perception of pain can be less intense. The body and mind are inseparable, for all practical purposes, in my opinion.

Amitriptyline is an older tricyclic antidepressant that is considered the drug of choice by some doctors for treating nerve pain. I personally have used it for quite a few years, and it doesn't erase the pain, but makes it better to the point that I can tune it out. My hands always feel like pins and needles, and ache like when you come indoors after being in the cold too long. This drug is sedating, and I do feel more sleepy than normal, but it's worth it. Depression and pain involve lots of the same neurochemicals, so using this kind of drug makes sense. Nortriptyline and Desipramine are two similar drugs that I have read are less sedating.

Anti-spasm medications such as Baclophen help some people a lot. I tried it though, and I felt terrible, couldn't stay awake, and it didn't help either. Eveybody is different, so sometimes trial and error is needed to see what works best. Has your brother seen a neurologist or pain specialist? That would be a very good idea. All the drugs I named above are generic names, so you may find them under their various brand names. Soaking in very warm water, especially a whirlpool bath used to help a lot when I was in therapy. I can't afford one now. I hope your brother gets some relief!

doublelibra

Edited by doublelibra, 02 July 2008 - 12:27 AM.

[gsp23]

I agree with the post above about narcotics and other pain meds not helping with the pain at all. I took Neurontin for 2yrs and it did a good job of controlling the pain, although I was on a high dose of 3600mg/day so it took a while to get to that point as you have to slowely ease on/off of the med. I recently (within the last month) have switched over to Lyrica. As it was a gradual transition off Neurontin and on Lyrica the jury is still out on Lyrica. I notice more nerve pain but I am not as tired with it so I am deciding if I want to increase my dosage, stay as is and just deal with some nerve pain or go back to Neurontin which took care of more nerve pain.

The point though is that both drugs have been very effective for most people. If he is not on one of these then he really needs to talk to his doc such as a neuro who has a lot of experience with one. Life can be absolutely miserable without being able to manage nerve pain as there is just no pain like it and having it from head to toe can not only ruin your life but can interfere quite a lot with your functionality. I wasnt even able to sit myself up in bed before I got on the meds and now am able to do more than I ever thought would be possible.

[Scribbler]

I also agree with the previous replies. I also suffered with chronic nerve pain, which drove me crazy until I was put on Gabapentin; it was like someone had flicked a switch, the pain vanished. I'm not saying it works on everyone as it doesn't but its worth trying. Gabapentin isn't a pain killer, it just blocks the signals reaching your brain.

You start with 1 pill the first day, 2 the second day then 3 pills the third day. You stay on 3 pills a day for a while to see how it works, if you need more you can take up to 6 per day. I take 4 a day and I'm pain free, but I still have the very senestive feeling under my thighs, which feels like its red raw but its just damaged nerve endings.

I hope this has helped. Good luck, it sounds like you need it.

[Avocado Baby]

Hi there,

I'm sorry to hear of this horrible pain. I've experienced it and it's miserable. I've been taking Lyrica (pregabalin) for a year now and it helps me a lot! It's like Gabapentin, just works in a different way.


I hope your brother can get some relief soon!

[Lucky]

I'm C-5 too and after a lot of trying over a year different meds have finally found my releif. Keep trying different drugs and mix them too until he finally finds something that gives some kind of comfort?

[allis53ca]

central nerve pain can kick anybody's ass........if that pain pump isn't working, he needs to have it removed.....like ali, i switched from neurontin to lyrica. the neuront made me foggy, and i had to take way too much. the lyica keeps me clearer headed, but doesn't "stop" the pain, however it makes it much more tolerable and allows me to be more functional.

[cer221]

I have a hyper sensitive arm. I tried many pain killers nothing work. What I do now for the pain is, I cut 1 of my brand new socks so it was nice and tight, not to tight and put it on my arm. The pain is still there but I don't feel it has much with the sock on. I only take it off when I go to bed or wash up.

[jane]

Scribbler, on Jul 2 2008, 04:35 PM, said:

I also agree with the previous replies. I also suffered with chronic nerve pain, which drove me crazy until I was put on Gabapentin; it was like someone had flicked a switch, the pain vanished. I'm not saying it works on everyone as it doesn't but its worth trying. Gabapentin isn't a pain killer, it just blocks the signals reaching your brain.

You start with 1 pill the first day, 2 the second day then 3 pills the third day. You stay on 3 pills a day for a while to see how it works, if you need more you can take up to 6 per day. I take 4 a day and I'm pain free, but I still have the very senestive feeling under my thighs, which feels like its red raw but its just damaged nerve endings.

I hope this has helped. Good luck, it sounds like you need it.

Now, i had gabapentin and it didn't make much difference -

I can't take any of the opiate painkillers due to allergies, and at the moment the pain is just too much - the only painkillers i can have are anti inflamatories and they don't work. Does anyone know of any other pain reliving methods, ones where i will still be able to work.

Jane

[gsp23]

jane, on Jul 30 2008, 01:38 PM, said:

Now, i had gabapentin and it didn't make much difference -

I can't take any of the opiate painkillers due to allergies, and at the moment the pain is just too much - the only painkillers i can have are anti inflamatories and they don't work. Does anyone know of any other pain reliving methods, ones where i will still be able to work.

Jane

Yes, as mentioned in my post above, Lyrica also is perscribed for nerve pain. Generally speaking either Lyrica or Neurontin (gabapentin) usuallly work for people. If you tried Neurontin already with no results then I would suggest Lyrica. Also, be sure to increase as needed to try and get the best results. For example with Neurontin (gabapentin) I didnt get relief until I was at 3600mg / day (1200mg 3x / day). I recently switched to Lyrica which for me doesnt work as well but no tiredness at all with it. If Neurontin didnt work for you ask for an Rx for Lyrica.